The Marquette Backcountry Ski is perhaps the easiest way to get out and enjoy winter's wonderful weather more comfortably. It has a similar feel to snowshoes on flat and semi-steep terrain, and can ride down soft, deep snow somewhat like a powder ski. There's a fishscale-like pattern on the base that assists with grip when the trail gets a little steep, and the fishscales don't interfere with downhill riding at all. Marquette built it out of the same blow-molded plastic as kayaks for outdoors-worthy durability, and threaded brass inserts and included bolts for 3-pin cross country bindings. Depending on the binding, you can wear Nordic boots or more casual footwear so anyone can use this affordable ski.