DH and I are trying to find the least expensive winter cross training activity that can be done outside, that also won't hurt his knees.

We have lots of indoor training stuff, and we walk to work/school each day, but on a nice day we do think it would be good to get outside.

Neither of us are really keen on cross country and/or skate skiing, at the moment. Not sure if it's because of the learning curve and coordination required, or because of the cost of the equipment, or because you must always be on groomed trails. Snowshoeing seems like a better alternative, where there's only one thing for each of us to buy, the snow shoes, and, if we buy the right ones, we can do the trails at the local cross country area, or we can just go wherever we want in the woods.

Have any of you done much snowshoeing? Do you have any tips for newbies?

We are planning to do a one day rental / lesson at the cross country area some time this winter to help us decide, to learn some and to get the feel for it, but your thoughts are always helpful, too.

Thanks!
~T~