Don't Ski? Try Snowshoeing

If you can walk, you can snowshoe. All you need are the shoes and a desire to get out and enjoy the Sierra Nevada winter. This low-tech sport requires no pricey lift tickets, no fancy ski clothes, and no lessons; a short jaunt to get used to having something besides shoes on your feet is all it takes. For your initial outing, I suggest renting snowshoes and poles (not really necessary, but I like using them) from places like Reno REI and Reno Mountain Sports.

Tahoe Meadows is the best place I know to go for a day on snowshoes. It's close to Reno and Sparks, there is good parking, and a short jaunt gives you views of Mt. Rose and part of the Lake Tahoe Basin. You'll also find slopes for sledding and snow tubing with the kids. There are no services right there except, thankfully, functioning port-a-potties. To see what I mean, go to my pictures of snowshoeing at Tahoe Meadows.