We bought a camp!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yeah, that is definitely a concern, but again, this camp has been here for probably 50-60 years and we've had a lot of years with a lot more snow so I'm not too worried.

We are looking at a new roof this year as well, and we are seriously considering a metal roof.  If that's the route we go, we won't have to worry too much about that as the snow is more likely to slide right off.

Megan is telling me that I also need to let everyone know that I experienced a small snowshoe malfunction today as well.   

I also had one of my drones along and it also went in the snow.  I'm giving it an opportunity to dry out before I attempt to get the footage from it, but realistically it is insured and if it's dead it will be $25 for a new one so I'm not worried!

Def

[Vidar]

Your roof braces looks similar to some we have and they have certainly also taken lots of snow for years. I wasn't worried about the construction, just mentioning asymmetric unloading as that can be an unexpected challenge.

I have to admit as a Norwegian that snowshoes are next to a total mystery when ski exists. We do have them, but I can only remember seeing them used in very tight bushy woods.

[WhichDawg]

I had an old friend and nothing made her laugh more than someone falling down, is Megan one of those?   

[Grant Lamontagne]

Your roof braces looks similar to some we have and they have certainly also taken lots of snow for years. I wasn't worried about the construction, just mentioning asymmetric unloading as that can be an unexpected challenge.

I have to admit as a Norwegian that snowshoes are next to a total mystery when ski exists. We do have them, but I can only remember seeing them used in very tight bushy woods.

The development of snowshoes happened so far away from Norway that it might as well have been a other planet at the time!

Around 4,000 BC, people from Asia were venturing further and further north, probably around the same time Europeans were venturing north to the Scandinavian Peninsula, and eventually made their way across the Bering Land Bridge and into North America through what is now Russia and Alaska.

I don't know how much snowshoe use was left in Asia- there are certainly some examples around China, Tibet etc, but they really became a way of life for many North American tribes, living and hunting in Northern climates.

While many moved further south until both landmasses now known as the Americas and didn't need them as much, many people stayed in the north and snowshoes were the ideal choice for things like trapping and fishing on the tundras in thick forward and in the mountains.

Skis are great for someone moving, but for someone who makes frequent stops and wants to do things other than move forward, skis are just not as effective.

Like anything else, it largely depends on your needs.  If you want to cover large distances efficiently, skis are a much better option.  If not, well other solutions are needed. 

As for Megan laughing, well, she manages to contain herself long enough to ensure I'm not injured before then laughing and taking pictures from every angle!

Def

[lister]

In the olden days it might also have been down to available materials and wood working technology. Wicker work vs hitting a log with a stone axe long enough to make a plank. The latter sounds a lot more work and more damaging to stone tools, which also took a lot of work to make. 

[Vidar]

Skis are great for someone moving, but for someone who makes frequent stops and wants to do things other than move forward, skis are just not as effective.

I think I will have to disagree on that. Stopping and standing still with skis is not an issue at all. And if you want to knit while going downhill, or elsewhere at lower speed in easy terrain, you certainly can. (If you know how to knit while walking that is). There are many types of skis, and many types of preparations. The typical cross country ones sold in sport stores are usually for use in prepared tracks. The cross country ones used for off track use are typically shorter and wider, and might include mounts for placing mats of wanted width under the midsection. These basically trade (much) better grip for less speed going downhill. (A search for hunting skis will show everything from very short and wide to more normal looking but wide normal skis).

Laughing at falls are not enough these days. One has to whip out a camera and document it! 

[Vidar]

I did a search on a store selling both off track skis and snow shoes. So this is basically when they would recommend snow shoes:

• Takes less space in the car or storage.
• Easier to turn around.
• Easier in bumpy terrain.
• Better control downhill.
• Can be better steep uphill.
• Requires little training to use.
• Can be used with normal shoes.

Those seem sensible to me. I'm a tiny bit wiser then. It is a race to fill up with new braindrops as quickly as I forget every day!

Edit: That pickup seems mighty practical!