Many casual hikers stay indoors for winter, but we're offering a course to give you the snowshoeing and outdoor skills to get you out walking in the woods all winter long. As part of the Subaru Outdoor Series, learn the basics of equipment, winter safety, and navigation to become a self-sufficient snowshoer.

A good early-season trip that climbs quickly  and efficiently to snow level. The terrain up top is mellow in pitch and the forest is fairly open, making this a nice tour for less-experienced skiers in early winter when the boards might need to be carried up the lower, steeper slopes. When the lower, steeper slopes are snow-covered, intermediate skills are required.

A poorly thrown Frisbee onto the backyard was the giveaway. I could walk across the snow blanketing the lawn without busting through the crust. I came indoors excited -- it was time to ski the foothills.