Winter camping requires specialized gear that can withstand the elements and kee you warm.
Discover the beauty of nature in the silence of the coldest season.
Choosing between hot tent camping and cold camping in winter is kinda like deciding if you want hot chocolate with marshmallows or just the hot chocolate on its own. Both warm you up, but one's got a little extra comfort built right in. Hot tents, with their built-in...
Choosing the right camp stove fuel for cold weather or a winter camping trip can make or break your expedition. If you've ever tried to fire up a stove with the wrong kind of fuel when it's freezing out, you know the frustration of failing to get a hot meal when you...
You may not realize it, but it's easy to become dehydrated in colder weather than you might think. The cold, dry air actually causes you to lose water through the process of respiration. This is why it's so important to drink enough water when you go winter camping....
There are a lot of advantages to taking food winter camping. For instance, the outdoors is a natural refrigerator or freezer! Winter is also a time to chow down on hearty, warming foods that give you energy. Some tips for selecting and packing food for winter camping:...
A couple of winters ago, Ross started raving about anoraks. I, on the other hand, had no idea what he was talking about. He didn't own one after all, but he was deep into researching how to stay warm in extreme cold—and somewhere along the line, he stumbled across...
Sorry to burst your bubble, but you can't use just any old camping mattress or sleeping pad in cold weather, If you're planning a winter camping trip, you're going to need a mattress or pad with an R-value of at least 4, preferably 5. R-value is a measure of...
I can tell you from experience: There's nothing quite like doing your business in -30°C (-22°F) temperatures with the wind chill. Backcountry camping in the winter is wonderful, but the cold certainly makes routine tasks and personal hygiene a challenge. Pooping is...
Winter is a beautiful season, but you should never underestimate how dangerous it can be. Many of the risks associated with three-season camping also apply to winter camping, however the risks are higher because of the cold weather. Before you set out on a winter...
The challenging part about trying to go ultralight with winter camping is that winter gear is typically heavier and bulkier so that it can withstand the elements. We learned this the hard way after investing in a 30-pound canvas hot tent along with a 30-pound stove to...
Backcountry travel in the winter can be challenging—especially when there's a ton of snow. But snow opens up the possibility of pulling your gear rather than carrying it on your back. We've traveled in the winter with backpacks, sleds, and pulks, and we've found that...
We've always stuck to air mattresses and sleeping pads when it comes to camping—even in extreme cold weather. With an R-value of more than 6, that's plenty enough insulation to keep us warm alongside our -30°C/-22°F sleeping bags. It wasn't until we went on a guided...
Tarp camping isn't for everyone, but then again, neither is winter camping. Both have their pros and cons, and those who choose to combine them are typically the ones who are the most adventurous and resilient in the outdoors. If you've ever thought about trying to...
Winter camping can be a thrilling experience, but it requires proper planning and the right choice of shelter. Two popular options for camping shelters are tents and tarps. Tents are the more traditional choice, often providing a dome-shaped shelter with a rain fly,...
The arrival of winter doesn't necessarily mean that camping season is over—it just means you'll need more specialized gear for the cold. While many campers enjoy using a four-season tent or a hot tent with a wood burning stove during the winter months, others choose...
If you're someone who enjoys winter camping, it can go a long way to bring a portable gas-powered heater. These heaters typically run on propane or natural gas and come in different designs, including radiant heaters and convection heaters. Radiant heaters emit heat...
We went winter camping with 31 dogs for 10 days. No, really! We did. They were Alaskan husky sled dogs, to be more specific. Over the course of our expedition, we quickly learned that the dogs always came first. We had to: Hook them up to our sleds Constantly untangle...
Nothing is more important than being prepared the first time you go winter camping. Of course, there are some things you just can't foresee happening until you've done it. We've been there! There were definitely lessons learned after our first winter camping trip....
If you live in Ontario (like we do), count yourself lucky. The province is home to an astonishing 340 provincial parks, featuring some of the most beautiful landscapes in Canada. If you've ever visited or camped any of those parks, then you know what we're talking...
It's estimated that we lose around 7 to 10% of our body heat through our head. Wearing a hat is usually a pretty good idea when you're going winter camping, but that's not all you can do to retain as much body heat as possible. When temperatures are extremely cold and...
Staying warm and managing your body temperature is arguably the number one most important thing you need to be aware of when winter camping. There are so many factors at play—including personal factors like your genes/metabolism/fitness level, outdoor temperature,...