It’s snowing and I’m getting excited about one of my favorite winter sports – snowshoeing. We have three pairs of snowshoes – all Redfeathers – but I’m always dreaming about a new pair.

My new favorites? Crescent Moon. This small company is based in Boulder, where they make all their shoes. They’re a green company that uses materials with no environmentally harmful PVC plastic; they use wind-powered energy in their factory and office and they recycle and reuse everything they can – frames, rivets, claws, bindings and decking (non-PVC, of course).

Once you get your snowshoes, check out these trails in the area:

• Anywhere in Mueller State Park (in the picture). Best bets? Homestead and Elk Meadow trails (pick up a map at park entrance or visitor center).
• The Crags. This side of Pikes Peak holds the snow, so you can find deep stashes even after it’s melted on the other side.
• Rainbow Gulch off Rampart Range Road. Throw in the trail that circles the reservoir and you’ve got a hefty loop (about 15 miles).
• Barr Trail. It’s usually packed down on the lower section, but we’ve used snowshoes on the stretch between the top of the Incline and Barr Camp.
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. There isn’t snowshoe-worthy snow here season-long, but after a good storm, it’s perfect.

- Deb Acord

Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes Price: $79.95

Crescent Moon Silver 13 Snowshoes Price: $169.95

Crescent Moon Snowshoes Kids Snowshoe Regular Price: $79.95 $71.89 on sale

Labels: Colorado, outdoors, snowshoeing