[JIMMIEM]

A couple of winters ago we had an abnormal amount of snow here in Massachusetts. I needed snow shoes in a hurry to get to the back yard of my wife's mother's house to clear the snow from the flat roof on the back of the house that was leaking from ice dams. Couldn't find any snow shoes in stores so I checked the internet for homemade ideas. The quickest and simplest were made from plywood. I found sites that recommended sizes based on body weight. The trickiest part were the bindings but I found plans for making bindings that you could put on and take off without having to take off my gloves to tie them. They did work but were kind of rudimentary. I volunteered to make a pair for my niece who recently bought a cabin up in snow country. From additional reading I know that my design needs improvement, e.g. holes in front of the toes to allow the foot to pivot, maybe cleats on the bottom for better traction, additional holes in the plywood to decrease the weight. I've seen designs that use pvc pipe, etc. But, I would like to stick with the plywood. There are lots or articles on the subject but they each have their own perspective. I'm hoping that there is info that gives the basics such as best size and shape, best position for the foot, etc. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[JIMMIEM]

go native...
make them out of willow...
proven design...
been in use a bazillion years...
lasts long time..
light weight...
carry weight adjustable...
snow conditions variable...
one day project if you take your time...

Where do I get the willow?

 

[JIMMIEM]

HERE...

http://goneoutdoors.com/make-traditional-snowshoes-5114831.html
Chippewa Wooden Snowshoes Snow Shoes

They use ASH wood in this article. Might be easier to locate than willow....not too many streams around here. Not sure about finding rawhide....might have to use some type of cord.

 

[JIMMIEM]

Jim, I have no good advice for you, but I look forward to seeing what you build. I have some old MSRs which I used twice this winter. They're not great, but generally work well enough for snowshoeing in New Mexico. I'd listen to the Canadians :smile

Whenever I snowshoe, I inevitably wonder why I didn't bring skis, instead.

A flat roof in Mass? That doesn't sound like a good idea. It's bad enough in NM.

Slight pitch to the roof. There are a flat roofs in MA....e.g. warehouses, old triple decker houses that have been standing for years.
Where are you in NM? Santa Fe is our favorite vacation spot.

 

[JIMMIEM]

Sorry, no help here but I coulda used a pair while cleaning off the Jeep this morning!

I think you just answered the question of what your next project will be.

 

[JIMMIEM]

About a 45 min. drive from Santa Fe (in Los Alamos). In fact, I went to concert last night in Santa Fe...Bela Fleck :smile:

I have a flat room on my house, and although it fits the style of the house, it's a maintenance headache :frown:

We've been there....liked the museum. Was the concert at the Lensic? We went to the Santa Fe Opera a few times...really fun.