I've got a little Silva 27 that I've never had act up. I got rid of my skis last winter, but there isn't any snow around here anyway. I may get a pair of snowshoes instead in case we do get some or I go up north to Yosemite before winter ends.

Phat, it amazes me that people go out with little or no gear in winter. I wouldn't go that unless I was at one of those XC ski parks with marked trails and so on or maybe up at a place like Badger Pass where you ski down the road and the trails are marked. Even then, I 'd take something.

btw, they are still looking for 4 people on Rainier missing for a week. They were fully equipped, but may have run out of fuel and food by now. Doesn't look good for them.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/...ogLQ_story.html