Packraft + α.
This time: ski shoes (snowshoes) lashed to the packraft for a downstream run. 🛶 + ⛷️
Water and snow, connected by a single line. No matter how many times I do a combination like this, it never stops feeling exciting.
What I Learned About Rigging Ski Shoes on a Packraft
Because these were short skis, I went with a crosswise mount on the bow — strapped horizontally across the front of the boat. It worked, but it required constant attention to keep the tips clear of rocks, particularly in faster sections. Any flow in the current and you start thinking about that overhang.
For the next time, I’m already sketching out a better system: DIY strap plate attachments on both sides of the cockpit — four anchor points total — with one ski mounted lengthwise on each side. This approach would keep the gear much tighter to the hull, reduce the risk of catching on rocks, and shift the weight distribution closer to center.
The Packraft as a Platform
A packraft is a paddling tool. But it’s also a carrying tool — and thinking through how to rig gear, balance loads, and move efficiently between snow and water is part of what makes packrafting endlessly interesting. There’s always room for creativity, problem-solving, and iteration.
Water and snow. Walking and paddling. The packraft lets you move freely between all of it — and that freedom is exactly the appeal of Packraft + α.
April 1, 2025 — with @packraft_niseko
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