I just returned from a fabulous weekend on Mount Hood with a group of friends. The snow was powdery, the sun was warm, and the scenery was stellar. Half of us wore skis, the other half snowshoes. The important thing is that we all had a blast playing in the snow. Adjustable trekking poles with wide powder baskets.
Adjustable poles offer more versatility than standard ski poles.
You can extend them for descents, shrink them for climbs, and mix and match lengths to make traverses across long sidehills easier and more comfortable. The wider snow baskets prevent the poles from sinking too deeply in the powder. Reflection off the snow means you'll need to be extra careful about the sun. If the sun's really beating down on you, opt for a white or light-colored shirt rather than black. You'll stay a lot cooler.