+1 on the ski poles. I have always used some XC ski poles with my snowshoes. I have some old bamboo ones with large backets, cheap is good enough.

For snowshoes I have a pair of the older ash and neoprene laced Huron type, also called Michigan type. I also have a pair of the military magnesium shoes with the coated cable lacing. Both are similar in size and design. I weigh about 200 pounds without a pack so I prefer larger snowshoes and ones with a tail are easier to keep going in s straight line to my style of walking.

Have fun, snowshoeing is great. I just hope Arizona gets enough snow this year that I can do some XC skiing and snowshoeing. We have not had enough the past 2 years in a row