The Ultimate Guide to Snow Camping
10 Pro Tips for Enthusiasts
From reducing layers before sleeping to properly insulating your sleeping pad, here are 10 answers to the question, “What are some pro tips for snow camping enthusiasts?”
Reduce Layers Before Sleeping
Camping Expert: Clear the Snow and Build a Wall
Use Wool Blankets When Snow Camping
Always Have a Backup Source of Heat and Light
Reposition Your Hot Water Bottle
Bring a Friend
Use Butter to Increase Calorie Intake:
Warm Up Your Feet
Have a Layering System
Properly Insulate Your Sleeping Pad
Reduce Layers Before Sleeping
When you’re awake and braving the cold, layer up as much as you can. Whatever you do, don’t wear all of your warm clothes to bed and sleep in them. That will work against you. I’ve been told they teach this lesson to soldiers who go through cold-weather training.
Imagine going to bed in full uniform and then unzipping your tent and stepping outside. That’s the coldest you will feel all day. If you have nothing else to put on at that moment, you’re going to remain cold for the entire day. Conversely, if you step out of your tent wearing minimal clothing, you can layer up and get warmer.
Rachel Blank, Founder and CEO, Allara
Clear the Snow and Build a Wall
The best thing to do when setting up camp is to first clear the snow from the area you want to set up your tent. Then, use this snow to build a wind breaking wall beside your tent. If you build your tent on top of unpacked snow, your body heat will melt the snow. This water will freeze and then create ice, which is a hard, uncomfortable surface to sleep on that will actually make you colder than the snow did.
The wall is to protect your tent from wind and weather. If you don’t have enough snow for a wall, try setting up camp near trees or a hill so the wind isn’t directly blowing on your tent.
Tory Jon, Owner and CEO, CamperFAQs
Use Wool Blankets When Snow Camping
Snow camping is an exhilarating and adventurous experience, but it’s important to keep safety at the forefront of your mind. One pro tip for snow camping enthusiasts is to bring wool blankets. Wool retains warmth up to two times as long as synthetic fibers or down feathers, so it could mean the difference between a comfortable night’s sleep and spending a freezing, wintry night shivering beneath inadequate bedding. Additionally, wool is quick-drying and fire-retardant; qualities beneficial in any environment where campfires occur regularly.
Michael Alexis, CEO, tiny campfire
Always Have a Backup Source of Heat and Light
My favorite tip for snow camping enthusiasts is to always have a backup source of heat and light. Most of us have limited experience with snow camping, and it’s important to stay prepared in case things don’t go as planned. If a storm rolls in, you may be stuck in the cold for longer than you expected. I always bring a backup flashlight and extra batteries, just in case. I also bring a backup heat source, such as a backup canister stove or extra firewood. Having a backup plan can save you from a long, cold, and uncomfortable night.
Luciano Colos, Founder and CEO, PitchGrade
Reposition Your Hot Water Bottle
Instead of putting a hot water bottle at your feet when you sleep, place it near your core. This will allow the bottle to heat the blood that travels throughout your body, warming you up faster. Use caution though when dealing with hot water. Make sure the top is screwed on tightly, so as not to burn yourself.
Kim Walls, CEO and Co-founder, Furtuna Skin
Bring a Friend
We love solo backpacking for the opportunity it provides for solitude and introspection. However, it is best to bring a friend on winter adventures. The addition of cold makes the unexpected much more likely to be life-threatening than it would in the summer months. A detailed itinerary, including an expected return time and directions to send help if you are past due, should also be given to someone you trust. Avoid areas where available avalanches could occur unless you have the appropriate equipment and training.
Rene Delgado, Founder and CEO, Shop Indoor Golf
Use Butter to Increase Calorie Intake:
Use butter to increase calorie intake, as your body will consume more calories to stay warm in the cold. A simple way to increase calories in warm meals is to add just a few tablespoons of butter. This is awesome with breakfast oatmeal or dehydrated meals.
Alice Hall, Co-founder and Creative Director, Rowen Homes
Warm Up Your Feet
Buy a pair of sealed winter boots and heavyweight merino wool socks for extra warmth. Ensure that the insulated boots you use are waterproof and fit a little looser than the boots you wear for summer hiking. You need to provide space for thicker winter socks or for double-up hiking socks for added warmth. Last but not least, bring extra pairs in case your feet become wet.
Salim Benadel, Director, Storm Internet
Have a Layering System
To stay warm, make sure to pack enough layers of clothing. Pack as much as you think you need because feeling cold can be horrible, not to mention the possibility of hypothermia and frostbite. A base, a middle, and an outer layer are what you should wear. You can remove layers while hiking as necessary to prevent overheating and perspiration. Then put back on a layer to get warm as the body cools down when you break or arrive at camp.
Nick Edwards, Managing Director, Snowfinders
Properly Insulate Your Sleeping Pad
One pro tip for snow camping enthusiasts is to properly insulate your sleeping pad. Snow camping requires a different approach to staying warm compared to summer camping. In cold weather, a significant amount of heat can be lost through the ground, so it’s important to use a sleeping pad with a high insulation value to keep you warm throughout the night.
Look for a pad with an R-value (a measure of thermal resistance) of 4 or higher, and consider using a pad with a higher R-value if you’ll be camping in extremely cold temperatures. Additionally, make sure the pad is the proper size for your tent and that it fits snugly to prevent any gaps or spaces where cold air can seep in.
Brian Nolan, Co-founder and CEO, BookOutdoors
