ACE,

Remember my private mesage advice. Buy "Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book". Good equipment list in the back of the book and just about all the advice you'll need for short learning trips a mile or so from your car to long trips in the Rocky Mountains.

Eric
P.S With ANY type or quality of snowshoes take plastic zip ties (Lowe's or Home Depot) for quick binding or base field repairs.

BUT WAIT!, THERE'S MORE! "The Sportsman's Guide just came out woth a used U.S. military 2-sleeping bag & Gore-Tex bivy combo for $!79.!

See my post in the Lightewight Gear Forum for details. Looks like what you're looking for.

PLUS The Sportsman's Guide also has Norwegian aluminum snowshoes. (# AX8M-130651) 28" long X 12" wide.
Condition, used in very good shape. $69.

These items seem to be what you're looking for...until you hit the lottery, at least.

Eric