Puuterät

Puuterät are a type of traditional Finnish snowshoes. Historically, they were crafted from wood, typically birch or pine, and were characterized by their flat, wide design. The frame was often made of bent wood, with a lattice of rawhide or cord stretched across it to create the surface that distributes the wearer's weight over the snow. Puuterät were essential for traversing deep snow in rural Finland, allowing people to travel more easily over soft, powdery snow conditions that would otherwise make walking difficult or impossible. Their size and shape varied depending on the intended use and the type of snow encountered. Larger, wider puuterät were more suitable for very soft snow, while narrower versions might have been used for more packed conditions or for hunting. Modern snowshoes, often made from synthetic materials like aluminum and plastic, have largely replaced traditional puuterät for practical purposes. However, puuterät remain an important part of Finnish cultural heritage and are sometimes recreated or used for historical reenactments and traditional outdoor activities. They represent a practical adaptation to a harsh winter environment.