The saying goes, "If you can walk, you can snowshoe." Like cross country skiing, snowshoeing has a short learning curve, the equipment is relatively inexpensive, and it doesn't require any training or special techniques to get started. What makes it unique, however, is that snowshoes are extremely maneuverable; allowing their wearers to go just about anywhere there is snow. Other than the sound of your shoes and poles impacting on the snow, the only sound you'll hear is the peace and quiet of the forest or field.

• Let someone know where you will be snowshoeing and what time you will be returning.
• Check your equipment before you leave home, particularly your bindings.
• If you're not familiar with the terrain, bring a map.
• Wear a backpack containing food and drink, candles and matches, extra clothing, emergency repair equipment (duct tape!) and a first-aid kit.
• Know the symptoms of and remedies for frostbite and hypothermia. Check the other members of your group for symptoms at regular intervals.
• Eat and drink at regular intervals to maintain energy and hydration levels. Physical activity suppresses the appetite, so eat a few mouthfuls of food and take a few swallows of liquid every half hour or so, even if you're not hungry or thirsty.
• Avoid crossing ice over lakes or streams. It's impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance, thickness, daily temperature, or snow cover alone. Ice strength is actually dependent on water depth under the ice, the size of the water and water chemistry, currents, and distribution of the load on the ice. Several weeks of continual freezing temperatures are required to build up a safe thickness of ice. Even in the depths of winter, never venture on ice alone and be very cautious if you must cross ice. If you think you might encounter ice during your ski, take a pair of homemade ice picks (or even a pair of screwdrivers) tied together with a few yards of strong cord; you can use these to pull yourself up and onto the ice if you do fall in (be sure they have wooden handles so if you drop them in the struggle to get out of the water, they won't go straight to the bottom!).

At the beginning of the winter put together an emergency/repair kit including the following basic items:

• a butane lighter or waterproof matches
• two or three candles to provide heat and light
• a metal container or plastic bag to melt snow
• a lightweight emergency blanket or plastic tarp
• a whistle (if you happen to get lost or injured, three short blasts will alert searchers to your location)
• a pocket knife with a screwdriver blade
• a replacement ski tip and pole basket and screws for your bindings
• a roll of duct tape (to repair just about anything)
• an extra pair of mitts and socks
• a compass
• an extra leather strap in case your snowshoe harness breaks

• When out with other people, take turns leading as it can be very tiring.
• The leader should always take into account the pace of the slowest person and match it.
• The leader should make his or her steps short enough for everyone to follow in.
• When following, stay in the leader's steps, conserving energy and making a well-defined trail.