Bacpacjac,

Snowshoes are great things (one of my favorite times for woods loafing is deep snow) but they won't help in shallow snow. Until the snow is deep enough (varies with the wetness) they are more work than help. In dry snow in the Rockies 24 + inches. The snowshoes sink deeply in powder, particularly some of the smaller ones. When you posthole without them, the help is amazing.
In warm snows in wet regions it might only be 12 to 18 inches.

Respectfully,

Jerry