When the high peaks are cloaked in snow, the crystalline magic of a brittle-cold morning lures you outside to play. Snowshoeing, cross-country and backcountry skiing are inexpensive ways to enjoy nature, avoid crowds and move your body. If you can walk, you'll love snowshoeing - the most accessible winter sport. Even the shoes come in different shapes and sizes, depending on what you want to do and where you plan to go. Modern snowshoes easily attach to comfortable insulated boots such as Sorrels.
Smaller frames are more agile, and some snowshoes are designed specifically for runners.
This year, a new technical snowshoe will hit the market. Cross-country skiing allows you to cover longer distances. Each requires specific gear. Touring gear is the lightest, with straight, narrow skis that clamp to the toe of a flexible boot. Backcountry skis are wider to float over a broader range of snow conditions, and stiffer, with a pronounced side-cut and metal edges.