Antique Snowshoes for Decoration: Seasonal Vintage Styling Ideas for Your Home

There’s just something about a pair of antique snowshoes that makes winter decorating feel extra nostalgic. Whether you stumble upon them at a local thrift store, spot them at an antique market, or inherit them from family, old snowshoes are one of the easiest vintage pieces to style for the winter and holiday season. From hanging them on a front door to leaning them in a snowy corner with some evergreens, they bring texture, charm, and a rustic New England flair to any space.

In this post, you’ll find seasonal decorating ideas using antique snowshoes, tips on where to find them, what to look for, and creative ways to use them indoors and out.

All About Antique Snowshoes: Where to Find Them and Which Styles to Look For

Before you can start decorating with antique snowshoes, it helps to know a little more about them. From their rich history to the variety of styles you’ll spot in antique shops across New England and beyond, these vintage winter treasures are as collectible as they are charming.

In this section, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned while thrifting and antiquing for snowshoes, including where to buy them, how to tell the difference between styles, and a few photo examples you might spot on your next vintage hunt.

Where to Buy and Collect Antique Snowshoes for Decoration

If you’re hoping to decorate with antique snowshoes, the thrill of the hunt is half the fun. These vintage winter staples are surprisingly common in New England antique shops, and once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll start spotting them everywhere.

One of my favorite places to find antique snowshoes for decoration is Stone House Antique Center in Vermont. It’s a goldmine for winter sports nostalgia, and I always keep an eye out when I visit. A good pair of wooden antique snowshoes usually runs around $95, though that can vary depending on age, condition, and style. If you find a pair for less, especially under $75, grab them! Some highly collectible older snowshoes (especially trapper styles or those with original leather bindings) may be priced higher, but they’re worth every penny if you’re a dedicated vintage decor lover.

Of course, not everyone lives near an antique store or gets to spend their weekends browsing Vermont’s snowy backroads. You can also find antique snowshoes at yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, and vintage pop-ups like Vintage Market Days Vermont, where winter sports gear often makes a seasonal appearance.

If you’re hunting online, try Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or even local buy/sell/trade groups. Just be sure to look for detailed photos and dimensions, especially if you plan to hang them indoors or use them in a styled space. Bonus points if the pair comes with its original leather harnesses or bindings; those small details add tons of character. You can learn more in my Top 23 Places to Buy Vintage Decor Online (Trusted + Unique Sources) post.

What Types of Antique Snowshoes Are Best for Decorating?

Antique snowshoes come in a variety of styles, each one originally crafted for a specific use, terrain, and snow condition. But today, these timeless wooden snowshoes are equally prized for their decorative charm. Whether you’re styling a winter entryway or adding rustic texture to your holiday porch, here are some of the most common types you’ll spot while antiquing:

Each of these vintage wooden snowshoe styles has its own story and its own decorative potential. From cozy indoor corners to festive outdoor porches, antique snowshoes can add history, warmth, and texture to your seasonal styling.

Examples of Antique Snowshoes for Decoration

Here are a few photos I’ve snapped over the years featuring different types of wooden vintage snowshoes on display at local antique shops throughout Vermont.

Personally, I love collecting the larger, oversized antique snowshoes for bold outdoor displays, especially around the holidays, and I keep the smaller, more classic styles for indoor decorating. Whether tucked next to a stone hearth, hung over a vintage sled, or styled in a cozy corner, each pair brings its own charm.

How to Decorate with Antique Snowshoes Outdoors for Winter and the Holidays

There’s just something about antique snowshoes propped up on a snowy porch that instantly says New England winter charm. Whether you’re styling a front door for Christmas or layering in cozy vintage touches all season long, these classic wooden snowshoes make a timeless statement. From porch railings to holiday vignettes, here are some of my favorite ways to decorate outdoors with antique snowshoes.

Porch and Entryway Decorating Ideas with Antique Snowshoes

Give your home a warm and rustic winter welcome with vintage snowshoes styled on your porch, deck, or entryway. Whether tied with plaid scarves, paired with old ski boots, or accented with evergreens, antique snowshoes create a nostalgic charm that captures the spirit of a cozy ski lodge or New England holiday cabin.

Decorating Antique Snowshoes with Plaid Scarves for a Pop of Winter Color

One of my favorite, and simplest, ways to style antique snowshoes on our porch is by tying them together with a classic plaid scarf. Instead of a bow (which feels more holiday-specific), the scarf gives a natural, layered look that works all winter long. I’ve used red and navy plaid scarves as well as a blue, red, and green tartan; each adds a cozy pop of color against the weathered wood of the snowshoes.

Just drape the scarf around the crossed snowshoes and tie a loose knot or simple wrap to secure them. I love to lean them against a porch post or beam, especially alongside a pair of vintage ski poles. It’s such an easy way to decorate seasonally without going overboard. Pair the look with evergreen boughs or a rustic basket of kindling for an extra dash of old-fashioned winter charm.

To securely fasten the antique snowshoes to our porch beams, I used simple green gardening wire. Just wrap it tightly around the snowshoes and beam, then twist to hold in place. It’s strong enough to withstand winter winds and blends into the greenery if you’re decorating with evergreens. Best of all, the plaid scarf cleverly conceals the wire, adding a decorative touch while keeping everything snug and in place.

Create a Vintage Ski Lodge Look with Antique Snowshoes, Ski Boots & Evergreens

When the snow starts to fall, there’s nothing cozier than turning your porch into a vintage-inspired ski lodge retreat. I styled this winter vignette with antique wooden snowshoes leaning against the porch beams, paired with vintage black ski boots filled with fresh evergreens at the base. A few old ski poles and snowy planters add to the alpine feel, and of course, Ella couldn’t resist posing in the scene.

This look isn’t about holiday decorating; it’s all about embracing the quiet charm of winter. Think snow-dusted vintage finds, layered textures, and a nod to New England’s ski heritage. The plaid scarves tied around the snowshoes add a pop of color and warmth, while the natural greenery softens the rustic edges.

If you love this look, be sure to explore more in my Vintage Ski Lodge Decor: A New England Guide to Holiday and Winter Styling for even more cozy, winter decorating ideas inspired by mountain life.

Decorating with Antique Snowshoes for a Classic Christmas Porch Display

When the holidays roll around, antique snowshoes become one of my favorite decorating elements for the porch. Their rustic wooden frames bring timeless charm, and paired with festive accents, they instantly create a cozy, vintage Christmas look.

I love layering my antique snowshoes with holiday greenery, red plaid scarves, and twinkling string lights. Tuck in a few pinecones, vintage ornaments, or a handmade bow to dress them up for the season. I often lean them against porch beams, style them next to galvanized buckets filled with evergreens, or pair them with vintage sleds and boots for that nostalgic, ski-lodge-meets-holiday feel.

This simple setup transforms our Vermont porch into a welcoming winter scene that captures the spirit of a classic New England Christmas. You may explore more vintage Christmas decorating ideas in these favorite posts:

How to Hang Snowshoes on a Wall or Front Door for Vintage Winter Decor

Looking for a charming and easy way to decorate your front door or wall for winter? Vintage and antique snowshoes make stunning rustic statement pieces that work beautifully indoors or out, especially when styled in a simple crisscross pattern.

Whether you’re going for a cozy ski lodge look or adding seasonal charm to your front door, antique snowshoes are incredibly easy to hang. At both our Vermont and Maine homes, I simply place two small nails into the door, two to hold each snowshoe, and crisscross them in the center. Thanks to their open-frame design and interior lacing, they make it easy to hang on just a couple of nails, no special hooks required. The snowshoes naturally balance and stay secure without the need for special hooks or hardware.

This same method works beautifully on walls, entryways, or even above a fireplace. Crisscrossed antique snowshoes instantly add character and texture, especially when paired with a bit of winter greenery, a plaid scarf, or a simple pinecone accent.

Decorating with Rare White Metal Vintage Snowshoes

Not all antique snowshoes are wooden, and if you ever come across a pair of white metal vintage snowshoes, count yourself lucky. I found this rare pair at a local Vermont antique shop, and I was instantly drawn to their sleek, industrial design. These aren’t painted white; they were made this way.

Historically, white metal snowshoes were used by professionals like mountaineers, winter photographers, military personnel, researchers, and rescue teams. Their light color helped them blend into snowy surroundings for stealth and safety, especially in military training or expedition environments. Even today, they remain functional for winter navigation, but they’ve also become highly collectible for their modern-meets-vintage aesthetic.

I love displaying this pair as a unique accent during the winter months. Whether hung on a rustic porch, styled in an entryway, or showcased alongside vintage skis and poles, these snowshoes make a strong design statement that’s both nostalgic and unexpected.

Which do you love more? Traditional wooden vintage snowshoes or this rare white industrial style? Let me know in the comments below!

Can You Decorate Indoors with Antique Snowshoes?

Yes—you absolutely can! While antique snowshoes are often seen as outdoor décor, they also bring a cozy, rustic charm to your indoor winter styling. Smaller vintage snowshoes are especially well-suited for interior spaces, whether hung on a wall, layered with seasonal wreaths, or propped in a corner alongside birch logs and baskets.

Try framing built-ins or bookshelves with a single snowshoe on either side for a subtle nod to winter adventure, or tuck a pair into your entryway with classic winter accessories like a vintage ski sweater, scarf, or skates. These nostalgic pieces add texture, personality, and story, making them an eclectic favorite for decorating with character during the holidays and beyond.

Final Thoughts on Decorating with Antique Snowshoes

Whether you’re leaning antique snowshoes on a snowy porch post wrapped in a cozy plaid scarf, crossing them over your front door for the holidays, or showcasing a rare white metal pair with vintage ski boots, antique snowshoes bring a timeless charm to winter decorating. They’re rustic, nostalgic, and oh-so-New England.

From flea market finds to family heirlooms, every pair has a story, and now, a stylish second life in your seasonal decor.

Your Turn—Which Snowshoe Style is Your Favorite?

Are you team classic wooden snowshoes or intrigued by the sleek look of vintage metal pairs?
Do you decorate with snowshoes indoors, outdoors, or both?

👇 I’d love to hear in the comments below! And don’t forget to:

• Save your favorite photos to Pinterest
• Subscribe to my newsletter for more vintage decorating ideas
• Check out my full Vintage Ski Lodge Decor Series for even more winter inspiration

Thanks for stopping by—and happy decorating!

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