We are always looking for fun ways to burn calories (me) and energy (the kids)and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery. Hiking this time of the year is sloppy and unpredicatable unless you follow established trails, so we decided to get snow shoes and just blaze a trail into the woods. Snow shoes are easy to purchase and affordable for both adults and kids. I got them for less then $50 each on ebay (for me) and LL Bean (for kids). They fit over snow boots and is the only equipment you need. The only extras recommend is warm clothes, a drink and maybe a snack.

My son and I set out on a snowy winter day with our dogs in tow. The cool thing about snow shoes is that you can walk through the bare winter woods that would be impenetrable when the foliage is thick with Rhodos in the summer months. The snow shoes keep you right on top on the deep snow with a swoosh, stomp, swoosh, stomp.

As we walked, we looked for tracks and tried to guess what animals had left them. We also followed deer runs and tried to imagine the extent of the deer highway and exactly where they were going. The bark of the pines tree exposed all of its texture and the wind had blown snow one the side of nearly every tree. Our dogs leaped and bound through the deep snow as we glided across it. We were able to cover a lot of ground before we wanted to stop for a drink.

Once we got through the woods we came to an open field and had a chance to appreciate the winter landscape, bare mountains and feel the bright sunshine. We stopped and sat on a tree truck and ate our cookies (many favorite hiking snack and a must with kids). As we made our way back up the mountain towards the car I found out that the workout works different muscle groups than normal hiking.

Fun in the winter sun.