Thats a good question. I would say sort of, and definitely so back in the day. We’re spoiled now where its largely for recreation and not necessarily a need. You can break fresh trail with snowshoes, and you can definitely micro-spike or just hike if its been traveled enough since last snow (or if there is no/light snow). The ideal trail would be wide enough to maneuver with snowshoes, gradual enough that you don’t need to switch to other gear (micro spikes or ropes if it was steep, or rocky), and a bonus for a great view. Probably half of the trails I summer hiked and loved would be pretty daunting in snowshoes (just cause of rocks and steep pitches).