Snowshoe Shuffle raises money for Sparta PAL

VERNON — “Whoosh” blew clouds of snow from the constant rumble of snow machines on Vernon Peak.
Over 100 participants helped raise funds for the Sparta Police Athletic League, Feb. 4, during the “Super Snowshoe Shuffle 5K Run/Walk at Mountain Creek.”
Refreshingly, snow blew in faces, as participants lifted up into the blue sky aboard the “Cabriolet” – 8 passenger gondola car lifts. Breathtaking sights of the three state view surrounded everyone while skiers and snowboarders slid underneath down the slope.
Brand Development Manager Eva Bonner said, right now, Mountain Creek is the only place with snow; and the race would have been canceled, had it not moved to Mountain Creek.
During a moment of silence, organizer Andy Ball encouraged snow shoe participants to reflect upon those who have served and are currently serving.
The group then sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” with the American flag blowing in the stiff breeze, followed by a cheer of, “Yeah!”
And they were off — down the trails, from the top of Triple Chair, down Upper Horizon, through Red Fox, Osprey, down Southern Sojourn and back. Some participants traveled the full 5K, and others opted for 1.2 miles.
Mountain Creek Ranger participants Linnea and Dan said, they regularly snowshoe at Mountain Creek from the bottom to the top of the mountain, just to get out and get some exercise. Dan added, a couple years ago, a man who was way overweight, went snowshoeing every weekend, and dropped his weight over the course of a winter.
Modern snowshoes no longer resemble huge wooden tennis rackets. Instead, sport boots are attached to sleek, streamlined decking, surrounded by an oval type shape of aluminum. Some racers even jogged or ran through the race.
Uniquely, for a $75 entry fee, the participants kept Whitewoods Snowshoes. Organizers bought the $150 snowshoes from ERIK Sports for $50. Other participants rented snowshoes for $50 or brought their own.
Ball said they plan to have the Super Snowshoe Shuffle again next year. He also added, after participants came off the slope, they gathered around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows. About thirty participants said, snowshoeing on the mountain had been on their unique, fun bucket list.
Another bucket list opportunity is March 11 - the “Moonshine Shuffle:” snowshoe hike under the full moon to the top of the mountain at Mountain Creek.