We used to snowshoe regularly, but the problems SadieKate identifies have kept us out of the mountains for the last three or four years. Castle Peak is my favorite spot for snowshoeing, and if you go mid-week it tends to be fairly deserted, but it's hard to take a day off like that in the middle of the school year. We tried some trails above Donner Lake once, but dogs were prohibited, and our oldest dog loves snow so much that we can't leave him behind. (He has been known to jump out of the car window at the sight of a snow bank.)

My husband also has knee problems and he has had some difficulty with snowshoes. I think it depends on the type of knee injuries involved, because just walking and hiking are hard on him, as well, and snowshoeing is basically hiking x 10.