5 Day Class

Spaces Available: 5

Instructor: Maureen Chambrone

Dates of the class: Friday through Tuesday, February 13 – 17, 2026

Time of the class: 
Friday: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday through Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location: Pioneer Park – Workshop (Click on the link for accessibility information.)

10X56 Alaskan-style snowshoes have been a very popular and traditional style with Athabaskans groups as well as other trappers and explorers.

They are excellent snowshoes for breaking trail through the deepest snow, allowing access to a world that would be unreachable otherwise. There is a peaceful beauty in walking through the Alaskan winter on silent wooden snowshoes, and all your senses are truly awakened. Now you can explore this world with snowshoes you have finished yourself.

In this class we start with bare Alaskan birch frames already bent to shape. Using mallets and chisels you will make mortises, and cut and carve the cross members that hold the shape of the shoe. Using small drawknives and spokeshaves you’ll round the frames and then smooth them down with scrapers. You may sand them if you wish. You will drill holes around the frame and lace twine for the snowshoe lacing to go through. Tails are lashed with twine. At least two days are spent weaving the snowshoes with a nylon lacing.

Maureen will give a short presentation on gathering the birch and bending it, so you can see the process it took to get the raw snowshoe frame you began with. In the end, I will discuss binding options and bring a couple types for sale. I will also discuss the process of varnishing, which is something you’ll do at home to finish your shoes.

You will go home with your very own pair of snowshoes that just need to be varnished. Then your deep snowy backyard is yours to make trails through and explore, not to mention the vast wilderness beyond…

Maximum number of students: 5

Age range: 18 and up

Prerequisites: Woodworking experience is helpful, though not absolutely necessary. Feel free to ask the instructor if you have questions.

Materials (in addition to the class fee below): $150

Class Fee: Sliding Scale:

• True Cost: $1,152
• Community Supported: $576
• Extra Support: $288
• Pay-It-Forward: $1,440

Why am I seeing different prices?
We offer different tuition pricing options so everyone can participate at The Folk School and be part of this community, and we trust you to choose the tier that fits your financial situation. Learn more about our sliding scale and how to choose the right tier for you.

Contact: programs@folk.school

Pre-registration: This class is pre-registration only. Please register by 3 days before the class begins. Registration will be closed after this time.