Gear: Atlas Snowshoes

Growing up, my parents had some of those huge wooden snowshoes made of wood and rawhide hung in the family room as decoration. Oh, how the times have changed. Snowshoes have gotten consistently lighter, sleeker and more durable, thanks in large part to Atlas Snowshoes, a company based in Seattle (and run under the K2 parent-company), which holds 19 patents for its products. Made of aluminum, stainless steel and durable plastic, among other materials, the latest models feature easy-to-cinch bindings, bouncy footbeds and sometimes even heel lift bars, which can be raised on steep ascents to avoid calf cramping. I recently tried two pairs, the Elektra 12, a women-specific pair (pictured left) perfect for snowy strolls and steep ascents and the Run, a super-lightweight unisex model designed for winer jogging and racing. Both were effective at breaking trail, staying atop the fresh powder and stopping slippage when traversing up and down the mountains.