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Traditional Ojibwa Style Snowshoes - December 6-8, 2024

$395.00
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December 6-8, 2024

9am-5pm

Traditional Ojibwa Snowshoes

In this comprehensive three day course you will assemble the pre-steam bent locally sourced ash frames, assemble and lace your own set of traditional Ojibwa style snowshoes. Pointed at both ends, this snowshoe design is efficient for travel through both wooded areas or open areas. We will cover the finishing of the snowshoes and bindings during the course. These will be on your own after the course.

During the course the instructor will be covering the history of these snowshoes as well as the steps and process of selecting, cutting and steaming the ash frames, as you complete your own set of traditional Ojibwa snowshoes. 

Days 1-2 (9a-5p)

Students will assemble their ash snowshoe forms, select crosspieces and mortise them into the frames with simple hand tools. 

Days 2-3 (9a-5p)

Students will learn techniques for lacing their shoes using lightweight, hollowed nylon cord. Students will leave with a completed set of snowshoes perfected and proven over generations for use in our Upper Midwest winters, ready for finishing and to receive the bindings of your choice. 

Lunch is included each day, with dietary restrictions and preferences being honored. 

Students who work quickly or feel confident in completing their work at home could plan to leave earlier than 5pm on the last day.

Required Tools

We request you bring the following to the course. All other tools will be provided.

  • Tape measure

  • Pencil

  • Lightweight gloves of leather or other thin, tactile material

This course is open to youth ages 14+ if accompanied by a full-paying adult. A 25% tuition discount applies to the youth participant. The discount code for youth is YOUTHSNOWSHOE and can be entered at checkout.

This course requires students to stand for much of the day and have moderate hand strength. 

Your Instructor

KERRY BECKENBACH

Kerry has been “bending wood” for about fourteen years to create snowshoes and furniture for himself, friends and family. A veteran of the US Navy and a retired law enforcement officer, early in his career Kerry worked in Cook County, MN in and around the North Shore, BWCA. During that time he made winter camping trips into the BWCA that were often too cold, with too much snow, pulling overloaded sleds with snowshoes, cross-country skis. Too many trips to count and yet in reflection, not enough.

Kerry is retired now and living in central MN with his spouse Lynn, who according to Kerry has all the talent in the family. When not bending wood and sharing his passion for creating Kerry can be found under the surface of lakes and oceans as a scuba diver and instructor. He can also be found helping Santa during the busy season.