Winter Camping: The Essentials

Winter is a lovely time to go camping. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful. Plus, you get to see the usually lush forests in a practically new landscape, covered with freshly fallen snow. However, winter camping does present some challenges.

Besides the essentials that every hiker and camper needs, you want to ensure that you have the proper winter gear to last in freezing temperatures. Here is the ultimate guide for winter camping, including tips to stay warm and dry.

Camping Gear for Winter Camping

Make winter camping an enjoyable experience with the right camping gear. Otherwise, without the proper gear, you may find yourself ready to pack up and head back to a warm home. Here is a list of items and what features they need to make winter camping comfortable and warm.

Rated Tent

You need a tent, of course, but choosing the right tent can protect you from the winter weather.

• 3-Season Tent – While adequate for some winter camping, use this standard tent only if you are camping below the tree line and the forecast is clear and sunny, without much stormy weather.
• 4-Season Tent - If you plan on camping in heavy snow or high winds, a 4-season tent is a must-have! These tents are constructed with sturdier poles and thicker materials to combat fierce winds and heavy snowfalls. A 4-season tent is also designed to have less mesh that usually allows for air circulation, and an extended rainfly that reaches the ground and prevents snow flurries from coming inside.

When choosing a tent, consider at least a three-person tent. While it technically fits three bodies, this tent size is adequate space for two campers, leaving some spare room to keep gear dry.

Heavy-Duty Backpack

Winter camping requires a heavy-duty backpack to resist the elements and carry bulkier winter clothing and other such gear. In fact, you may need a larger backpack than you typically carry in summer. While you should always pack light, you still need to be prepared for colder conditions. As a rough estimate, an 80-liter size backpack should suffice for a two- to three-day winter camping trip. Of course, make sure the backpack has enough lash tabs and compartments to secure large and awkward gear like snowshoes.

Cold Weather Sleeping Bag

When the temps drop even lower at night, a cold weather sleeping bag will keep you warm and cozy. Determine the lowest nightly temperatures you will experience and aim for a sleeping bag rated 10°F lower–the more, the better! For freezing 30°F temps, choose a 20°F-rated bag and so on. Never worry about being too hot. You can always open the bag up.

When it comes to a cold weather sleeping bag interior, you have two options to keep you warm: goose down and synthetic materials. Down offers a fantastic warmth-to-weight ratio and can be compressed down. Sleeping bags with synthetic materials tend to be heavier and bulkier, which can be a disadvantage when backpacking. The one downside to down is that it can lose warmth should it get wet, so it’s imperative to keep it from the elements.

Draft tubes are another feature. Located behind zippers, draft tubes can keep heat from escaping. Draft collars and hoods, located above the shoulders, will offer extra warmth, too.

Sleeping bag liners are a nice addition and offer many advantages. A good liner can add extra warmth and keep sweat and oils from the sleeping bag, which is more difficult to clean.

Sleeping Pad

Sleeping pads do more than provide a pebble-free surface to sleep on. They also offer an extra insulating layer between you and the ground. When it comes to winter camping, here are the features to look for in a sleeping pad and some extra tips:

Look for a pad with a high R-value. R-value is the measure of thermal resistance and can range from 1.0 to 8.0. The best winter camping pad should be designed for all-seasons (much like the four-season tent) and have a 4.0 minimum R-value to keep you well-insulated.

Stack two sleeping pads for ultimate warmth. Place a closed-cell foam pad closest to the ground to block the cold and sleep inside the sleeping bag directly on a self-inflating pad.

Backpacking Stove

It’s critical to learn how to start a campfire so you can create warmth and a means of cooking. However, a fire is not entirely efficient at boiling water or cooking certain foods. For that, you need a backpacking stove.

Choose one of two types of backpacking stoves: canister stoves and liquid fuel stoves. Here’s the defining differences between the two:

Canister stoves - These stoves are lightweight and quick to boil; however, they are not ideal for winter camping, especially in mountainous regions with higher altitudes and cold conditions. For canister stoves to work in cold conditions, they need a built-in pressure regulator to create a stronger flame.

Liquid fuel stoves – For high altitudes and below-freezing temps, always use a white gas liquid fuel stove. The disadvantage to liquid fuel stoves is that they are heavier and slower to boil. Plus, you might have to prime them before you cook.

Hybrid multi-fuel stoves – Similar to liquid fuel stoves, hybrid multi-fuel stoves have the advantage of burning on a variety of fuels, such as white gas, kerosene, unleaded gasoline, diesel and even jet fuel. If you plan to go international for your winter camping trip, a hybrid stove model is the way to go, offering versatility for various countries you may visit.

Extra Stove Tips:
When not using the stove, keep the fuel tucked away in a sleeping bag or inside a coat pocket. When you’re ready to eat, it will allow greater fuel efficiency to cook your meals faster.

Always bring two stoves! For emergency purposes, mainly, but also to cook piping hot food for group meals that much quicker.

Bring extra fuel canisters, especially in winter. It takes longer to melt snow for drinking water. Plus, fuel runs less efficient in higher elevations.

Make a plywood base to help stabilize the stove in melting snow. As you heat your food, surrounding snow will melt. For stoves that sit on a canister, wrap the base in aluminum foil to reflect heat to keep the canister warm.

Crampons, snowshoes, skis and snowboards

Hiking to your site in a light dusting of snow is not too challenging. However, for anything deeper (and if forecast anticipates more), you need to come equipped with proper traction and footing.

Crampons – A great traction device with teeth-like grips for treading ice, crampons can easily attach to your hiking boots. If the path is slick, crampons can save you from a hard tumble.

Snowshoes - Better suited for fluffier snow, snowshoes add a wider, more stable footprint to get you from point A to point B, instead of sinking with each step. Like crampons, you slip them over regular boots. Many shoes include advanced traction systems like crampon-like grips and a heel-lift bar.

Snow skis - Cross-country skis are perfectly adequate for flatter terrains. For steeper slopes and mountainous areas, use backcountry skis.

Snowboards – Snowboards are a nice alternative; however, choose a versatile splitboard style that can separate and act as snowshoes. If you have a standard snowboard, be sure to carry snowshoes for climbing hills.

Sled

Reduce weight on your back during longer carry-ins and camping trips by getting yourself a sled. Sleds can also allow you to effortlessly haul additional gear. Just keep in mind you might break a sweat lugging it uphill, so determine a route with the flattest terrain possible.

Avalanche Safety Equipment

Wherever you go wilderness camping, it’s important to bring a first aid kit. But when you are winter camping near mountains, there may be the threat of an avalanche. If in mountainous regions, identify and avoid avalanche terrain and check the forecast.

Regardless, it’s imperative to carry this extra equipment:

• Avalanche Transceiver – Should an avalanche occur and you become buried, this transceiver will send an alert signal to nearby transceivers.
• Avalanche Probe Pole – Using side depth markings, these collapsible poles measure a snow’s depth up to 10 feet, and help to find victims.
• Snow Shovel – Dig out avalanche victims with a snow shovel. You can also dig into the snow to build a shelter to melt drinking water.

Understand how to use these three life-saving safety tools with MSR Gear’s comprehensive guide.

Best Clothes for Winter Camping

Just as important as your gear and equipment is your clothing. Warm materials and layering is key. Here is what to wear when winter camping:

Base Layer

When winter camping, you need a long and snug underwear-style base layer. Choose quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester and wool. And be sure to select the appropriate base layer thickness for your excursion.

• Lightweight – Mild, slightly warmer temperatures
• Midweight – Colder temperatures
• Heavyweight – Below freezing temperatures

Middle Layer

The middle layer should insulate you and retain body heat. This generally equates to thick heavyweight fleece and puffy down/synthetic materials. You can find coats and pants lined, filled and constructed in one or the other and sometimes both.

Outer Layer

Your outer layer should work as a protective shell–a windbreaker that is both fully waterproof (not water-resistant) and yet breathable. Also, choose an outer layer with a slick coating that allows rain and snow to fall right off. A breathable outer layer allows perspiration to evaporate so you don’t wind up soaked from your own sweat.

Winter Hat

Keep your head and ears warm with a wool or synthetic hat or beanie. In severe temperature drops, consider a full face mask or a balaclava to keep the nose, cheeks and more warm. Always test to make sure an LED headlamp fits nice and secure, too.

Insulated Gloves

During winter camping, insulated gloves become essential in keeping your hands warm and fingers dexterous. Choose a pair of gloves the same way you would base and outer layers, having them both waterproof and breathable yet with a warm interior lining. And always bring an extra pair, just in case.

Footwear

Standard hiking boots might do the trick for most winter camping trips. However, in extreme conditions, consider waterproof and insulating winter or mountaineering boots. As mentioned, gaiters are useful and also keep snow outside your boots. Keep in mind that if you plan to use snow skis or a snowboard, you will need to find compatible boots.

Socks

Under your footwear, wear the appropriate socks. With socks, there’s a balance between keeping your feet warm but not making your boots too tight. Avoid cotton and choose a woolen material that is thick, but not so thick it cuts off blood circulation in your boot, which can cause your feet to get cold. Always take multiple pairs, too!

Goggles and Glasses

During winter, the sun and wind can be a bit extreme. Bring along a pair of goggles and glasses to protect your eyes. For sunny days, choose something with dark lenses and a visible light transmission (VLT) of about 0-19 percent, and for dark overcast days, aim for lighter lenses (yellow, amber or rose tinted) and a 20-40 percent VLT.

If you love camping and want to experience what it’s like during winter, plan and take proper precautions. Plan out the trip and make sure you have all the necessary items to stay safe and warm. Frostbite or hypothermia are a real concern when winter camping, so make sure you are well-prepared. Make sure you know basic winter survival skills, too, like finding shelter in extreme weather conditions and igniting a fire in the snow. Once you get the hang of winter camping and know how to dress nice and toasty, it becomes easier. Eventually, camping on freshly fallen snow will be something you look forward to in the winter months.