Things learned about snowshoeing this past weekend.

* Snowshoeing is cheap: around $26 a person including rentals for a full day of tromping around in the woods.

* While not quite as thrilling as snowboarding or skiing, snowshoing definitely has its merits. Some of the trails are hilly and curvy enough to feel like a roller coaster in slow motion. And the views can be nice. When you’re not standing in the middle of a winter storm, anyway.

* If your showshoes are on the wrong feet, it’s likely that the mountain staff will not initially believe you when you say that you can handle challenging weather and trail conditions.

* Snowshoes will not keep you from sinking into fresh powder or a deep tree well. They will, however, give you a false since of security about just how deep the powder actually is, which you’ll find out the hard way if you accidentally step off the trail while attempting to fix the wrong-foot problem mentioned above.

* The model of women’s snowshoes serving as rentals at Cypress have a peculiar tendency to escape from the wearer’s feet at inopportune moments. If you are a man accompanying any women, it’s probably better to walk at the rear, rather than the front, lest you leave any suddenly de-shoed companions lying around in the snow behind you.

* No amount of jagged bits on the bottom of a snowshoe will keep you from sliding down some of the steeper hills. This may be either a good or bad thing, depending on your thrill preferences.

* When nearly 15cm of snow has fallen since you parked your car, it’s unlikely that even all wheel drive will get you out of your parking spot without the use of a snow shovel.

At any rate, it was a great time, and well worth the trip if you’re looking for something to do on a rainy [at sea level] day.