Winter will soon be knocking on our door and we can either hunker indoors and keep warm or push ourselves outside and get involved in a winter activity. And if the frigid predictions for this winter are accurate then this season may indeed be a challenge for some.

For people living in the Great Lakes region, the cold winters are a given and while it is easy to complain and whine about the weather, you can combat the long, winter months by snowshoeing. It is a great sport for those who desire to get outdoors and seek some activity. Snowshoeing is fun and great for people of all activity levels. They will certainly enjoy a walk on freshly fallen snow in the woods.

Last year my husband and I donned some lightweight snow-shoes and headed into the woods in northern Wisconsin with temperatures falling to -20 degrees (including the wind chill.) How breathtaking it was to walk in the snow-covered woods with not another person in sight. We took breaks here and there just to listen to the absolute silence surrounding us. It was unbelievable and the view was breathtaking! Being in a serene winter setting like this will allow you to shed the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

You don’t have to be physically fit to snow-shoe either, take my word for it. When snowshoeing you can pace yourself for a low, medium, or strenuous walk; whatever suits your desired activity level. The snowshoes they make nowadays are also lightweight and when you walk with them it is like you are walking with just shoes on your feet. The snowshoes are not big and clumsy like one would expect. The movement keeps you warm, but of course dressing smart helped.

Whether choosing a place to snowshoe, the sky is the limit when it comes to finding a trail to use. Most state parks have designated snow-shoeing trails ranging from easy to difficult. Almost every state park has mark trails for those seeking to enjoy the outdoor during the winter. You can buy yourself a pair of snowshoes for a little over a $100 or rent them. Besides the cost of the snowshoes, you only need to pay nominal entrance fee into the state parks.