Snowshoeing offers easy entry into wintertime outdoors, and there are places to try it out only a couple hours from Eugene and Springfield.

And, while skiing and snowboarding take practice, snowshoeing only requires strapping snowshoes onto your feet and moving forward. (Careful, don't try to back up or you might trip.)

"If you can walk, you can snowshoe — it’s just that simple," said Svein Berg, a manager at Berg's Ski and Snowboard Shop in Eugene. The store sells and rents snowshoes.

Modern snowshoes are made of aluminum, plastic and other lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber. Designs vary, but most also feature metal teeth on the bottom to grip into snow as you trek uphill. Price also varies, but a solid pair of snowshoes can be found for $100 to $200. Rentals also are available in Eugene and closer to the snow. (See accompanying list.)

Berg has been working at his family's shop for about 20 years and said one of his first jobs was restringing leather strands onto wooden snowshoes. As snowshoes have evolved the popularity of the snow sport has grown.

"It's just fun and there's a lot of places around here that you can do it at really, really easily," Berg said. "You can go up Highway 58 to the Willamette Pass area or you can go up Highway 126 to the Hoodoo area. They both have sno-parks up there that you can use."

The Gold Lake sno-park near Willamette Pass ski area offers miles of snowshoe trails. And shelters to visit and take a snack or lunch break. Bob Holly of Oakridge said he often explores the trails on snowshoes.

"You got the whole country up here to play with," Holly said. "And then you also run into a lot of good people, so that helps too."

Related: Magical day by snowshoe in the forest

The southern portion of Gold Lake Sno-Park has boundaries created by Highway 58, Odell Lake and railroad tracks, so visitors can find their way easier than more remote locations, said Paul Morphy, a volunteer with the Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol.

"It's really hard to get lost in a permanent way," he said. For safety's sake, Morphy recommended that people don't snowshoe alone and be sure to bring a map.

Snowshoeing doesn't involve the speed of skiing, eliminating some of the danger of injury, he said. And, a good snowshoe trek can lead to a quiet part of the woods.

"It's very calming and it's a good workout," Morphy said.

When choosing clothes for a snowshoe adventure, Berg, the Eugene ski shop manager, said to think more about what you might wear for cold weather running rather than bundling up. Dressing in layers allows you to regulate your body temperature.

"You need to make sure that you wear layers that breathe (and) work well together," he said.

And, remember, you'll cool down quickly once you stop so it's a good idea to bring a backpack loaded with a warm puffy jacket, gloves and a stocking hat.

Snowshoes fit over boots. Wear insulated, waterproof boots to keep your feet dry and warm.

"The most important thing you have to remember is: make yourself comfortable," Berg said. "If you have uncomfortable boots, guess what, you’re going to have an uncomfortable day."

More details on the Gold Lake Sno-Park and other options for snowshoeing in the Cascades east of Eugene and Springfield:

Gold Lake Sno-Park: Warming cabin, which also is the base for the Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol, at parking lot. Located at Milepost 61.5 on Highway 58, about 70 miles from Eugene. More information, including map, at bit.ly/2ReICtX.

Salt Creek Sno-Park: Trails leading to a views of Salt Creek Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Oregon, and other loops available. Located at Milepost 57 on Highway 58, about 65 miles from Eugene. More information, including map, at bit.ly/2RhzRiO.

Potato Hill Sno-Park: Follow a forest road to views of Three Fingered Jack. Located on Highway 20 about a mile after the junction with Highway 126 at Santiam Pass, about 80 miles from Eugene. More information at bit.ly/2RduK3f.

Note, parking permits are required at sno-parks in Oregon. The passes cost $3 for daily, $9 for three consecutive days and $25 for an annual. For more information, including a list of where permits are sold, go to oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/vehicle/sno_park_permits.aspx.

Follow Dylan Darling on Twitter @DylanJDarling. Email dd@registerguard.com.