Snowshoeing began as a way to get around in the winter, but the old-fashioned wood-and-rawhide snowshoes were bulky and heavy. In recent years snowshoeing has become a popular form of recreation, as new technology created lightweight and easily maneuverable snowshoes.

Snowshoeing requires no real training: Just strap the snowshoes on, grab a pair of poles, and start walking. But be careful where you walk.

Rent snowshoes from:

• Skinny Skis

65 W. Deloney Ave.
307/733-6094 or 888/733-7205
www.skinnyskis.com

• Teton Mountaineering

170 N. Cache Dr.
307/733-3595 or 800/850-3595
www.tetonmtn.com

• Wilson Backcountry Sports

in Wilson
307/733-5228
www.wilsonbackcountry.com

• Grand Targhee Ski Resort

in Alta
307/353-2300 or 800/827-4433
www.grandtarghee.com

Guided Trips

Teton County Parks & Recreation (155 E. Gill, 307/739-9025, www.tetonwyo.org/parks) leads snowshoe tours periodically throughout the winter. Snowshoe walks into the mountains around Jackson are also offered by The Hole Hiking Experience (307/690-4453 or 866/733-4453, www.holehike.com), the only company permitted to guide snowshoeing trips in nearby national forests. Their most popular trips go to Shadow Mountain north of Kelly. Rates start at $95 adults, $75 kids for a four-hour snowshoe trek (minimum of three people).

Also check out A. J. DeRosa’s Wildlife Snowshoe Adventures (307/732-2628, www.woodboattours.com), combining snowshoe hikes with lunch or dinner at a riverside teepee.

The Saddlehorn Activity Center at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (307/733-2292 or 888/333-7766, www.jacksonhole.com) has snowshoe rentals and tours. In addition, a snowshoe trail parallels Nordic Center ski tracks, and Forest Service naturalists lead snowshoe hikes in the area on Wednesday and Saturday.

Free naturalist-led snowshoe tours are offered at Grand Targhee Ski Resort (in Alta, 307/353-2300 or 800/827-4433, www.grandtarghee.com). Additionally, naturalist-led snowshoe hikes are available in Grand Teton National Park.