Snowshoes and toboggans are ancient in their origins and were used to travel and transport over the deep snows of winter. They allow the user and their gear to float on top of the snow. In times long ago they were necessary for survival while today they are used mainly for "recreation". Using traditional wooden snowshoes and toboggans gives us a connection to the land because the materials are born from it. Light, flexible and strong, they hold up to years of hard use.
I make snowshoes using two methods, and ;)
they are: the traditional method of using hand split Ash or Birch worked to size with the axe and crooked knife and the more modern method of using Ash lumber which I saw myself or purchase from a friend who is a local horse logger and sawyer. In the latter instance, I would use modern power tools to prepare the wood. I feel that both methods have their place today. After either method of preparation, I then steam the prepared staves and bend them into a jig, and let to rest a bit. After the shape is set, I then mortise the cross bars in and fasten the tails and tips with copper rivets. I use raw hide (deer or cow) purchased or prepared myself or lightweight nylon to lace or weave the body into the bent snowshoe frames. All the shoes are varnished with at least 3 coats.
The toboggans I build are
generally made with the locally sawn lumber and most of the toboggans are made of entirely White Ash. They are steamed and set into a jig and allowed to rest a bit. They are then assembled with woodscrews and hand hammered copper rivets. Wooden toboggans are brutally tough sleds. I've put them upside down and jumped up and down on them, dragged them behind a snowmobile for miles, and put them to hard use gathering firewood. They also fly down the hills. They cease to amaze me!
I teach and offer workshops both one on one and groups in northern Wisconsin in both snowshoe building and toboggan making. Check out the future workshops page for dates and places.
If you are interested in snowshoes, snowshoe repair or toboggans, let me know....
For more photos check out the photo gallery.