January is the perfect time to participate in winter sports while enjoying the nature and beauty of Parry Sound. The Museum has tones of amazing winter gear in our collection, including this wonderful pair of snowskates. Also known as ice-skating shoes, they are comprised of a metal sheet for gliding and fiber straps to secure one’s foot in place, similar to a ski binding.

Unlike snowshoes that allow you to walk on top of snow, snowskates mimic the movement of ice skating on snow instead of ice. The first pair of snowskates were made in the Netherlands around 1865, and were comprised of basic wooden runners that were tied to people’s boots with long pieces of fabric or rope. This make-it-yourself equipment remained popular in Eastern Europe until the 1950s, when Germany began mass-producing them in factories. Today, snowskates can be purchased online and have the appearance of a ski boot with a smooth gliding surface on the bottom. This equipment has a similar, if not identical, name to a snowskate, which is a board that emulates skateboarding in the snow.

Currently, Tower Hill is a winter wonderland perfect for the avid snowshoer or snowskater. We hope to see everyone enjoying the wonderful winter weather around the Museum this month.