Snowshoeing is much of an art as it is practiced and learned skill that once you have the basics down though, it is great way to see the winter snow country.

Here is a basic overview on choosing snowshoes. And here is a typical selection of shoes from which to choose. As you can see, these modern day snowshoes are not your granddaddy's snowshoes...

As for walking sticks, trekking poles or snowshoeing poles with baskets make a big difference and helps save a lot of leg energy.