Get out there! Where to go snowshoeing around the Sound (even if you're a newbie)

No matter where you live in and around Seattle, you're a quick drive away from outdoor winter fun. Here's where you can strap on the snowshoes and tromp through the fresh powder.
Woman on snowshoes with the sun behind her
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Have you tried snowshoeing?

I'll be honest with you: I used to ski quite a bit, but after a scary trip to the Swiss Alps back in the 1990s, when I kind of freaked out on an icy mountain and got a glimpse of my mortality, I hung up the skis for good. When I got back to the Northwest, I knew what my next winter activity would be: snowshoeing.

For me, and I'm pretty sure for lots of other people, the benefits of snowshoeing are obvious.

First, you're probably not going to break any bones. You're basically walking.

Second, you stay warm. I suggest you wear layers and a backpack, because once you get started on your snowshoe hike, there's a good chance you'll want to shed a couple of those layers and stash them in that backpack.

Third, it's social. If you're skiing or boarding with friends, most of your conversations happen on the lift or in the lodge after your final run. (That is, back before COVID, when you could actually kick it in the lodge with your people.) When you're on snowshoes, you're technically on a walk, so it's a lot easier to socialize while you exercise.

And fourth, it is indeed exercise. Skiing is too, but not like snowshoeing. It takes energy and it burns calories to stomp along a snowy trail for a couple of hours.

So where do you go? I've grabbed links to a bunch of guides to snowshoeing spots around Seattle and around Washington. (As with everything else these days, check the website of the place you're going to make sure they're actually up and running, what their amenities are, and how they're coping with COVID.)

Start with Snowshoeing 101 For Seattle-Area Kids And Families. This runs down the basics.

At first, a lot of people try the easiest and closest ski resorts. For me, years ago, that was the Summit at Snoqualmie Nordic Center. Stevens Pass is a good place to start, too. If it's your first time, don't feel as if you need to invest in a ton of gear. You can generally rent snowshoes at ski resorts and definitely at REI.

The next most independent stage after that is to head to one of Washington's Sno-Parks. These usually have groomed trails and plowed parking lots, but they don't generally have a ton of amenities.

And then you can go even more independent, from the Pacific Crest Trail to Hurricane Ridge to Mount Rainier.

Check the links below, stay hydrated, and have fun!

Four sets of feet in snowshoes
Photo credit Debbie Galbraith / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Here are links to lots of information about where to go, near Seattle and farther away:

Snowshoeing near Seattle: Best beginner routes.

Beginner To Backcountry: Where to Go Snowshoeing This Winter

10 Best Snowshoe Hikes in Western Washington

Snowshoeing 101 For Seattle-Area Kids And Families

Featured Image Photo Credit: helivideo / iStock / Getty Images Plus