How to Build PVC Pipe Snowshoe Patterns

Snowshoeing is a practical part of living in climates with heavy snowfall, as well as a vigorous, outdoor sport in snowy terrain. Snowshoeing can become an expensive hobby; outdoor clothing and equipment that can stand up to sub-zero temperatures can be big-ticket items. Making your own snowshoes out of PVC can get you out on the snow with a little effort and a very small budget.

Things You'll Need

  • Work gloves
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Plywood
  • 2-by-4 board
  • Saw
  • Pencil
  • Stove
  • Large pot
  • Water
  • PVC pipe
  • Pipe coupling
  • PVC glue
  • PVC fabric
  • Cordage
  • Rubber or lampwick snowshoe binding
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Instructions

    • 1

      Saw a piece of plywood 10 inches wide and 40 inches long.

    • 2

      Saw a 6-inch piece from the 2-by-4.

    • 3

      Saw the 6-inch piece of 2-by-4 along the diagonal. This will produce two wedges.

    • 4

      Nail one of the two wedges to the surface of the plywood board. It should be placed at the top center of the board, so that the wedge slopes down towards the bottom of the board.

    • 5

      Draw the shape of a snowshoe onto the plywood with a pencil. The shape is two rounded ends with straight lines along the sides. The shape should measure 8 inches wide and 22 inches long. For individuals heaver than 200 lbs, add 6 to 12 inches in length.

    • 6

      Hammer nails firmly into the plywood all along the lines marking the sides of the snowshoes, a few inches apart.

    • 7

      Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.

    • 8

      Insert one end of the PVC into the boiling water. This will send steam up the PVC and make it bendable.

    • 9

      Bend the PVC around the nails marking the shape of the snowshoe. Hold one end of the PVC along one of the sides against the row of nails with one hand. With the other hand, wrap the PVC around the rounded edge of the top of the snowshoe shape. The wedge will force the PVC to angle upward at the top, producing a slight upturn. Continue bending around the shape of the snowshoe until the PVC has wrapped around the exterior of the nails, forming the snowshoe shape, and the open ends of the PVC are almost touching. Wait until the PVC has completely cooled to move on to the Step 10.

    • 10

      Join the two ends of the PVC together with a PVC coupling, and glue them into place with PVC glue.

    • 11

      Cut the PVC fabric to a shape about 1/2 inch from the inside of the snowshoe with scissors.

    • 12

      Poke a hole at every inch around the outside of the PVC fabric, 1/2 inch in from the edge.

    • 13

      Tie the fabric to the PVC by looping through the holes created in Step 12.

    • 14

      Tie off the cordage in a firm knot after attaching all sides of the PVC fabric to the PVC frame.

    • 15

      Attach a rubber or lampwick snowshoe binding.