Kids can do it. Parents can do it. Grandparents can do it. They can all do it together, as a big-footed family unit. Mr. Perkins said.
New models come with crampons, which provide traction on icy inclines.
Generally cramponless wooden snowshoes have a fraction of the traction, and so while they do fine traversing level ground, they often slide on slopes. You choose a model depending on whether you're going to be climbing over mountains or just curbs. Most people go for something in the middle range, said Alan Wickstrom, a clerk at Eastern Mountain Sports in the Greendale Mall in Worcester. Few of his customers are planning a snowshoe assault on K2, but many want to wander the same hiking trails they use in warmer weather. Mr. Ridley said.