Upcoming Public Hide Tanning Courses
Join a hide tanning course at our tannery on Southern Vancouver Island and experience real hide tanning: raw, hands-on, finely-tuned, and thoroughly immersive.
We re-route hundreds of DISCARDED hides each year back to our local fibresheds and into the hands of natural tanners - that’s you.
In every course, you are provided with an animal hide, You learn to tan it naturally, and You take home your Leather textile to last a lifetime.
What to expect in a hide tanning course:
Group size is between 6-16 people: small enough that you get personalized instruction, large enough that you’ll meet some rad folks to tan alongside with.
Youth and kiddos 18- are welcome at no extra cost to share a hide with their grown-up.
Hide tanning days are 5-6 hours long
Hide tanning is hard work!
What to wear:
Wear work clothes and dress for all weather. In rainy months, wear waterproof shoes/work boots.
We provide you a waterproof apron for the messy parts.
What to bring:
Water bottle; snacks/meals; a camping chair or blanket; and a personal knife.
Location:
Our tannery on the WSÁNEĆ Peninsula in North Saanich, on Vancouver Island, BC.
Staying overnight:
Camp at our farm during your hide course for $25 CAD/night or stay in our lovely Loft Guest Suite for $150 CAD/night
Reaching the WSÁNEĆ Peninsula Vancouver Island
Fly to YVR International Airport or take a SeaPlane to Patricia Bay, North Saanich from Vancouver or Seattle
Take the vehicle ferry from Tsawassen, BC or from Port Angeles, WA
Take the Clipper Passenger ferry from Seattle
Our farm + tannery are 12 minutes from Swartz Bay ferry terminal and 7 minutes from YVR Airport.
2025 in-Person Hide Courses
Public courses open to everyone
Fall + Winter 2025 Courses
Sheepskin Tanning
October 11-13, 2025
North Saanich, BC
BArk-tanned Leather
+
FIshskin LEather
TBA
Yule Craft: Annual Solstice Event
December 20-21, 2025
North Saanich, BC
Previous 2025 Courses
SMOKE-TANNED BUCKSKIN
February 15-17, 2025
North Saanich, BC
WHITE CHAMOIS CLOTH
March 15-16, 2025
North Saanich, BC
mineral-tanned SHEEPSKIN RUG
April 18-21, 2025
North Saanich, BC
SMOKE-TANNED BUCKSKIN
June 20-23, 2025
Kootenays, BC
Tanner’s Choice:
Combo-tanned SHEEPSKIN RUG
May 16-19, 2025
North Saanich, BC
Mineral-tanned SHEEPSKIN RUG
August 1-4, 2025
North Saanich, BC
Gotham taxidermy:
European Starling
August 23 + 24, 2025
North Saanich, BC
Smoke-tanned Buckskin
August 29-September 1, 2025
North Saanich, BC
Bark-tanned Sheepskin Rug
September 13-14, 2025
North Saanich
BRING HIDE TANNING TO YOU
Private courses for organizations and groups of friends
We teach hide tanning on-the-road between Vancouver Island and southern British Columbia + we would love the opportunity to travel to work with you - whether you work with an organization, or want to gather your group of friends.
Some organizations we work with are: the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria, Pembina Fibreshed, the Sooke Region Museum, Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation Education, and Xet̓ólacw Community School (Lil’wat).
We strive to offer accessible, age-appropriate, and culturally-affirming hide tanning teachings. Hide tanning courses are led by Mara Cur and/or Mark Santamaria; large groups of over 12 participants are co-facilitated with both of us.
Click the photo or button below to learn more about hosting a hide camp in your community. A booking deposit is placed through the link when you are ready to organize your group.