The French had to adapt to their new surroundings. They soon adopted a number of Aboriginal implements, such as snowshoes for walking in deep snow, the traîne sauvage, or sled, for carrying heavy loads across the snow, and the birchbark canoe, a light, easily handled craft, ideal for travelling the territory's many waterways. The Aboriginal inhabitants retained their expertise in canoe building, while the French gradually became highly skilled at handling these craft.