nikkeliraakit

Nikkeliraakit is a Finnish term that translates to "nickel raquettes" or "nickel snowshoes." It refers to a type of snowshoe that historically featured a frame made of nickel or a nickel alloy. These snowshoes were used in Finland, particularly in earlier times, for traversing snowy terrain. The use of nickel was likely due to its durability and resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for the harsh winter conditions experienced in Finland.

The design of nikkeliraakit would have varied over time and by region, but they generally followed the traditional snowshoe shape, designed to distribute the wearer's weight over a larger surface area, thus preventing them from sinking too deeply into the snow. The frames were typically covered with a material like rawhide or canvas, which was then laced to create the bearing surface. The nickel frame provided a sturdy and long-lasting structure for these essential winter tools.

While modern snowshoes are often made from lightweight aluminum or plastic, nikkeliraakit represent an older generation of snowshoe technology that utilized available and durable materials of the time. Their historical significance lies in their role in enabling travel and subsistence in snowy environments before the advent of more contemporary materials and designs. Today, they are primarily of interest to collectors of historical sporting equipment or those studying the history of winter sports and traditional Finnish life.