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Coast serves up a snowshoeing ace

When I learned I'd be snowshoeing for the first time, it'd be fair to say I was struggling to delve deep into my shallow well of knowledge of this odd winter pastime.

When I learned I'd be snowshoeing for the first time, it'd be fair to say I was struggling to delve deep into my shallow well of knowledge of this odd winter pastime.

Indeed, I wasn't really picturing myself as a rifletoting Elmer Fudd chasing a "pesky wabbit" through a blizzard wearing tennis rackets on my feet.

So, there was relief all round on the Sunshine Coast's Dakota Ridge when our guide from Alpha Adventures produced actual snowshoeing footwear that would've been no use at all to Roger Federer.

And as surprised as I was to be kitted out with proper equipment and two poles no less, some of the more expe-rienced winter sport enthusiasts in the Lower Mainland might also be popping an eyebrow at the use of "snowshoeing" and "Sunshine Coast" in the same sentence.

Let's be honest. Whistler or Grouse this is not. The road up to the ridge is still an old logging road and you'll need chains and four-wheel drive. But on a clear day - it was cloudy when we were there - I'm reliably informed that Dakota boasts views across the Malsapina Strait to rival anything the big resorts can offer.

There will be no fighting through the masses, either, to enjoy what's on offer at this location, nestled about a 20minute drive above Wilson Creek.

And as we trudged (a technical term in snowshoeing circles) through a fresh, untouched foot of fresh snow on the initial half-mile "easy" uphill hike, I can't imagine many places that have a forest full of 700year-old cedars.

Usually, you'd have to get up with the larks to partake of the winter delicacy that is freshly fallen powder. But this was midday and there was nothing but soft, kingsize blankets of it, begging to be snow angels.

Such was the lure of the snowdrifts that had built up almost everywhere on the trail, our guide had to remind us of the danger of the dreaded tree well as we ventured further around the ridge.

I think it was roughly two minutes after I'd reminded our eight-year-old son of the tree-well peril when I fell into - yes - a tree well.

Thankfully, it was just a few feet deep and I managed to haul myself out to safety after five minutes of bluster and sweat. Just as well, really, as there wasn't much help from a sideline whose sides were splitting with laughter.

Tree wells aside, the natural beauty on this ridge was there for all to see and picking our way through the ancient woodland on pristine snow was so much more relaxing, absorbing and physically challenging than I'd ever imagined.

While on the trek, I was discovering muscle groups I didn't even know existed and my body probably wished it had never found.

We were even followed throughout the hike by a family of whisky jays, which I hadn't even noticed on our tail until our guide produced some granola for the birds.

Standing with some crumbs in hand, I couldn't even see the jays, camouflaged on the snow-covered branches, swooping in lightening-fast for the treats.

Pretty soon, it was time to hike off-trail and make a B-line for the warmth of the quanzet hut, apparently built with government funding before the Olympics in hopes of attracting competitors to train on Dakota Ridge.

Our guide said the plan didn't work, but the resort - run by the local municipality - still got its hut.

Not that we cared much, unzipping our thick, stuffy jackets, warming our hands on a cup of apple cider and glancing back at our first snowshoeing experience with some satisfaction.

And there wasn't even a tennis racket in sight.

IF YOU GO:

Alpha Adventures in Wilson Creek offers four seasons of activities, lessons, equipment rental and guided tours. Go to www. outdooradventurestore.ca

acampbell@richmond-news.com