Decorate with antique snowshoes! Discover how vintage wooden snowshoes from antique shops bring charm to your home, perfect for winter decor and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Antique snowshoes are a beautiful way to add rustic charm to your winter decor.
From classic wooden antique snowshoes to a unique winter white pair I found while out Thrifting with the Gals, snowshoes create a striking display when styled on a vintage door.
These antique snowshoes highlight the timeless craftsmanship of traditional snowshoes while blending seamlessly with cozy seasonal decor.
Antique Snowshoes
Antique snowshoes are handcrafted treasures made from wood frames and rawhide lacing. They reflect the ingenuity and skill of early designs.
These traditional snowshoes were not only functional for navigating deep snow but also featured intricate patterns and natural materials that make them timeless pieces of art and history.
What is the oldest snowshoe in the world?
The oldest known snowshoe in the world dates back over 5,800 years and was discovered in 2016 on a glacier in the Italian Alps! Made from a single piece of birchwood with a woven bark surface, this ancient snowshoe is a testament to human ingenuity in adapting to snowy terrains.
The snowshoe is now preserved at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy. It is displayed alongside the remains of Otzi, the Iceman, who was also found nearby.
A Little Snowshoe History
Snowshoes originated with Indigenous people, who crafted them from wood and animal hide to travel efficiently across deep snow. These early designs inspired the traditional snowshoes we recognize today, blending functionality with intricate craftsmanship.
Their enduring design has made antique snowshoes both a practical tool and a decorative reminder of history.
Pro Tip
You may learn more about vintage snowshoes with even more decorating ideas in this Vintage Snowshoes Antique Decorating Ideas for Winter post.
Antique Wooden Snowshoes
Antique wooden snowshoes are an affordable and charming way to bring ski lodge vintage decor into your home.
Browsing through antique shops and flea markets, you’ll often find these beautifully crafted pieces with original leather bindings, showcasing their functional history and artistry.
For outdoor enthusiasts and decor lovers alike, antique snowshoes add a rustic touch to any space.
Front Door Winter Decor
Here, I crisscrossed a pair of vintage wooden snowshoes on our historical Essex Green 1930s front door, a perfect complement to our cedar-shakes home in Coastal Maine.
This timeless setup captures the spirit of winter while nodding to New England’s snowy heritage.
Whether displayed on a door, above a mantel, or in a cozy corner, antique snowshoes create a welcoming, nostalgic ambiance that celebrates their outdoor legacy.
I love the look and contrast of the old wooden antique snowshoes paired with the Essex Green front door and our restored cedar shakes.
How to Hang Antique Snowshoes on a Door
It’s super easy to hang antique snowshoes on a front door like this.
I just used three nails to secure this pair to our front door.
Cross and center the wood snowshoes where you like, then add a nail to the top of each snowshoe and a third down below in the middle to secure them both together.
Super easy!
Yesterday, we received about 7″ inches of snow here in Maine.
Have you ever been to Maine? If so, you may enjoy learning more in this How to Spend a Cozy Snow Day at Home post.
Pro Tip
If you love the look of antique snowshoes, you will certainly find more inspiration in our favored Vintage Ski Lodge Decor Series.
Pro Tip
You may also find inspiration in this New England Christmas: Festive Front Porch Ideas post.
White Antique Snowshoes
I found this unique pair of white metal antique snowshoes in excellent condition at an antique store in Vermont. I had never seen a white pair of snowshoes before, but the style and color would be fabulous to decorate indoors and outdoors.
About White Snowshoes
White snowshoes are traditionally used by professionals and adventurers in various fields. Mountaineers, researchers, photographers, military personnel, winter athletes, and winter rescue teams may safely utilize snowshoes to navigate snowy and icy environments. The U.S. services have also been known to train in white winter snowshoes.
Today, white metal vintage snowshoes can still be functional but are also valued as decor for their sleek, modern snowshoes aesthetic. They are perfect for showcasing alongside other winter gear or as a conversation piece in a rustic or industrial-themed space.
Which snowshoes do you like better, the wooden vintage snowshoes or the white industrial snowshoes? Let me know in the comments below!
Your Guide to an Eclectic Style~
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com
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Ann,
I love this series. The snowshoes are so fun. Not something we see in the south. LOL
Thanks Rachel, I have so much fun with it all, year-round too!
They are so perfect on your front door! Antique snowshoes are one of my favorite things! They are works of art! Love them on your home!
My girlfriend moved from New Hampshire to Florida and gave me a pair of snowshoes. Time to find them and do something creative with them!! We have a glass front door so obviously, no nails 🤣🤣. But I think I will experiment with them near the door. Perfect winter decor!!! Thanks!!!
Yes nails aren’t for everyone for sure. Love the snowshoes anywhere though🙌🏻
Snowshoes are just the best winter decor. Love it!
I love them too Kim👍🏻❄️❄️