From Forest to Heirloom
How We Select, Steam, and Bend Wood to Hand-Build Toboggans & Snowshoes
When you hold one of our toboggans or a pair of handcrafted snowshoes in your hands, you’re holding a story. It begins in the forests of the midwest, winds its way through our workshop, and continues for generations with your family’s memories.
Heirloom quality doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with intention in every step of the process, from how the wood is chosen, to how it’s steamed, bent, and cared for over time. This is the journey from sustainable forest to heirloom.
It Starts in the Woods
Every Northern Toboggan and snowshoe begins in the forest. We partner closely with landowners and small lumber yards who know their woods intimately. Over decades, we’ve built trusted relationships with these partners, people who understand that what we’re looking for isn’t just any hardwood, but something far more specific: “toboggan grade.”
Most mills cut for broad markets: construction lumber, furniture stock, or flooring. We’re after something different. The right board for a toboggan or snowshoe is a rarity. It requires straight grain, long length, and the right moisture content. That’s why we go right to the source, sometimes hand-selecting the boards ourselves.
This relationship-driven sourcing ensures that our raw materials are harvested responsibly, with care for the forest. Sustainability is a value we live by. Healthy forests mean healthier communities, stronger ecosystems, and heirloom products that truly last.
What Makes “Toboggan Grade”?
In the lumber world, boards are graded with terms like #1 and select or better. But our needs go beyond that. Toboggan grade wood is something you can’t just order from a catalog, it has to be found.
Here’s what sets it apart:
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Straight Grain: The grain of the wood must run true, with minimal ‘run off’. Straight grain provides strength and prevents weak points when the wood is bent.
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Rift-Sawn: Rift-sawn boards are cut in a way that minimizes warping and creates exceptional consistency across the length of the board.
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No Knots: Knots may look rustic, but in a working toboggan or snowshoe, they’re weak points waiting to break. Our heirlooms are built to carry loads, bend, and flex under pressure, so knots are out.
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Length: The board must be long enough for the sweeping bends of a toboggan or the arcs of a snowshoe frame. Short boards simply don’t make the cut.
This exacting standard means that a mill has to give up yield and efficiency to produce enough lumber to meet it. This requires a premium price but is well worth the cost to us.
Keep It Green
Most lumber you see in a store has been kiln-dried - this lumber is heated in massive ovens to remove moisture quickly and make the wood dimensionally stable for construction or cabinetry. That process works well for flooring or furniture. But for toboggans and snowshoes? It’s the opposite of what we need.
We keep our lumber green—meaning it’s never been kiln-dried. The natural moisture content in green wood is essential for bending. It allows the fibers to flex under steam and then “set” into their new shape once cooled.
Using kiln-dried wood would make bending nearly impossible. The fibers would splinter, crack, or fail under stress. By keeping the wood green, we preserve its natural strength and elasticity, qualities that give our toboggans their legendary resilience.
Steam-Bending and Hand Forming
Once the right boards are selected and cut, the true craft begins. Unlike mass production, our process is intentionally slow, human, and hands-on.
Step 1: Hand Selection
Even after the boards arrive at our shop, each one is inspected again. We look for straightness, consistency, and the subtle qualities only a craftsperson’s eye can catch.
Step 2: Steaming
The board is placed in a steam box, where heat and moisture soften the fibers, where timing is critical. This step is perhaps the most critical step, where knowledge and experience make the difference between broken boards and success.
Step 3: Bending by Hand
This is where artistry meets physics. The softened board is carefully pulled and bent around a form, guided by steady hands. It’s physical work, requiring both strength and finesse. No automation can replicate the feel of bending wood to just the right arc.
Step 4: Setting and Drying
Once bent, the wood is clamped and left to cool, allowing the fibers to set into their new shape. This sets the foundation for the graceful curves that define a Northern Toboggan or snowshoe.
This process is repeated board by board with patience and care.
Finishing and Longevity
Every toboggan is sanded smooth, finished with protective coatings, and assembled with hardware designed for decades of use. Our snowshoes are laced by hand, then finished for durability against snow, ice, and years of adventure.
Field-tested in the extreme conditions of Northern Minnesota as well as Arctic expeditions, our products are proven in some of the harshest conditions on earth. That’s why we confidently say: they’re not just made for today, they’re made for generations.
Care and Stewardship
Like any heirloom, a wooden toboggan or snowshoe requires care. Fortunately, that care is simple and deeply rewarding.
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Seasonal Inspection: Check your wood for any cracks, wear, or dryness at the start and end of each season.
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Wood Treatment: Apply protective oil or refinishing kits every few years to keep the wood nourished and resilient.
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Proper Storage: Store your toboggan or snowshoes in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Avoid leaving them in damp garages or hot attics.
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Field Care: After a snowy adventure, let them dry fully before storing away.
With this stewardship, your grandchildren will be enjoying them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why rift-sawn and straight grain?
A: These qualities ensure strength, consistency, and resilience when bending wood. Without them, cracks and breaks are far more likely.
Q: What happens if wood is kiln-dried?
A: Kiln-dried wood loses the flexibility needed for bending. It often splinters under steam and won’t hold shape long-term.
Q: Where does your wood come from?
A:We source primarily from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Eastern US forests, working directly with landowners and mills who understand our unique needs.
Q: How do you maintain a wooden toboggan through seasons?
A: Regular inspection, refinishing, and proper storage are key. Our care kits and resources make it simple to keep your heirloom in peak condition.
From Forest to Family Tradition
Every curve in a Northern Toboggan tells a story. It’s a story of forests carefully stewarded, boards hand-selected, wood steamed and bent by human hands. It’s a story of adventure: of children laughing down snowy hills, of mushers guiding sleds across frozen lakes, of explorers venturing into the northern wilderness.
When you bring home a handcrafted toboggan or snowshoe, you’re not just buying gear, you’re investing in a tradition. One that connects you to the forest, to the craft, and to generations of memories yet to be made.
Explore Our Heirloom Collection
Ready to start your own story? Explore our Signature Wooden Toboggans and Handmade Snowshoes. And if you already own one, check out our Wood Care Kits to keep your heirloom thriving for decades.
Because the best adventures aren’t disposable. They’re passed down.