Dash Through the Snow

For snowshoe enthusiasts, there’s nothing like a really brisk walk.

NO ONE’S QUITE SURE when it was first performed— the perishable remains of the original versions of the ap- paratus are long gone, though speculation about its begin- nings put it anywhere from 6,000 to 15,000 years ago—but in any case, snowshoeing is still gaining in popularity. And just as there are different speeds at which to enjoy go- ing for a walk, snowshoeing, too, can be experienced in varying degrees of intensity. Whether it’s a stroll through the woods with the whole fam- ily, a run over rolling terrain or a grueling hike over an uneven backcountry landscape, it’s an exhila- rating activity that lets you get the most out of winter’s wonderlands. So, strap in for a walk to remember.

WINTRY MIX

Hit these trails for some fun in the snow.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Port Angeles, Wash.
(2 hours and 35 minutes from Seattle)
With more than 10 feet of snow for most of the winter (providing protection for indigenous snow moles) and views fit for the gods (including one of Mount Olympus, naturally), the six-mile hike to Hurricane Ridge is a can’t- miss choice for snowshoeing enthusiasts.

STEAMBOAT
Steamboat Springs, Colo.
(3 hours from Denver)
Ski resorts provide some of the best and most convenient snowshoe trails. With the Guided Gourmet Snowshoe Tour, $55 gets you a snowshoe rental, guide, lunch and wine, along with views from high up on Mt. Werner. Hazie’s Tour is perfect for beginners, while Ragnars Tour is more difficult. steamboat.com

KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST—SOUTHERN UNIT
Eagle, Wis.
(50 minutes from Milwaukee)
Wisconsin is the perfect state for a walk in the snow. An astounding number of trails is scattered throughout 20,000 acres of this state forest, including the 30-mile portion of the now half-completed Ice Age Trail, which traces features left by the last continental glacier. www.dnr.state.wi.us

THIS ONE’S A SHOE-IN • MSR Lightning Ascent • $259 • www.msrgear.com