7 Essential Winter Camping Tips

Increasingly popular, camping in winter allows you to enjoy snow-covered landscapes and become one with nature.

In order to take full advantage of your winter camping and not suffer from the discomfort of the cold, it is however necessary to be well prepared. In this article, you will find 7 tips for preparing your equipment effectively.

Tip 1: Choose the right tent

To withstand snow and wind, it is best to opt for a 4-season tent . Designed with waterproof materials, it is made with heat-sealed seams so as to offer optimal protection against the wind. Often equipped with a ventilation of the roof, this one is very appreciable to allow the evacuation of the condensation.

In order to maximize the thermal insulation of the tent, choose one with an aluminized thermal insulation roof , which will reflect the heat. In addition, for more protection against the cold, opt for a tent with a roof overhanging the ground so that you can cover it with snow and prevent the wind from rushing into the cabin.

At the level of the installation of the tent. It will first be necessary to remove the snow on the ground before installing it correctly. Once this action has been completed, all you have to do is unfold it to fix it to the ground using sardines. In case the ground is frozen, plan a hammer, because it can be very complex to arrange them. Once set up and secured, cover the edges of the tent with snow to block drafts.

Tip 2: Insulate the floor from cold drafts

For the interior, provide additional insulation at ground level because this is where a good part of the cold will come from.

Comfortable and insulating, inflatable mattresses are ideal for protecting against freezing temperatures from the ground. In addition, they make it possible to compensate for uneven surfaces while avoiding feeling them on the back.

If a self- inflating mattress does not fit the dimensions of the tent, it is also possible to use a groundsheet . Thinner than a mattress, it provides protection from the cold while offering better comfort than if you had to sleep directly on the floor.

Tip 3: Adopt the right sleeping bag

For a winter bivouac, it is important to correctly select your sleeping bag. When the temperatures are freezing, it will have to be warm, hydrophobic and light, so a 4 season sleeping bag will be ideal.

For its construction, choose a down filling that will allow you to optimize the volume and weight of the bag. At head level, opt for a model with a hood and a collar to minimize heat loss. For the feet, the 4-season model will be perfect thanks to an anatomical box allowing it additional comfort while avoiding thermal bridges.

Tip 4: Choose the right outfit

During the winter period, the temperatures cool down and it becomes essential to adopt the right clothing. Necessary to avoid risking hypothermia, the three-layer technique is perfect for winter camping.

In order to adopt it, you will have to compose it as follows:

• For the first layer, choose technical underwear . Allowing you to save heat while wicking away perspiration to keep you dry, they are optimal for combating the discomfort of the cold. Usable day and night, they will allow you when you are active, to evacuate perspiration and when you are stationary, to limit heat loss.
• At the level of the second layer, you will need to take a fleece jacket . Very important, this second part must bring you warmth. At Climb Winter, the fleeces are designed to push the limits for those who exceed them. Incorporating a heating system, the construction of these heated technical jackets favors comfort, lightness and aesthetics to accompany campers anywhere. Insulating against the cold, while providing pleasant warmth to its wearer, our heated fleece jackets will protect you regardless of the weather and temperatures.
• Finally, for the third layer, you will need here to favor a waterproof and windproof jacket . In contact with the elements, it is she who will play the waterproof barrier to protect you from drafts and the harshest climatic conditions. For its characteristics, opt for a jacket with a hydrophobic membrane, a structure allowing excellent mobility and finally, a breathable surface. Like fleece, there are heated models that will meet the essential criteria of a third layer. You will find on our shop, a wide range of heated coats intended for camping in the middle of winter.

To sleep, you can only favor underwear, which will keep you warm while regulating your internal temperature. They will play the role of a second skin.

Tip 5: Provide cooking equipment

For winter, it is relevant to give preference to hot meals. In fact, you will have to opt for a small gas burner . Packed in a hard carrying case, it will allow you to prepare hot dishes in order to warm up.

For your stove, favor those running on isobutane . Indeed, when it is very cold, butane or propane are ineffective.

You also have the option of making a campfire. It is an ideal heat source for warming up while being excellent for morale. You will be able to cook while enjoying marshmallows and a good hot chocolate.

However, be careful not to place your feet and shoes too close to the fire, as this will deteriorate their waterproofness.

To cook efficiently, any good self-respecting camper must have a knife or a Swiss army knife . They will allow you to be able to cut multiple things while helping you to eat.

Tip 6: Plan something to eat

In terms of food, it is essential to prepare nutritious, hot and energy-rich dishes . When we are in winter, our body indeed burns a large amount of calories, which means that it is important to prepare rich and balanced dishes.

You will have to prioritize dishes based on pasta, nuts, dried fruits and vegetables. In addition, you can accompany them with cheese and cold cuts to fill up with protein, essential for the proper functioning of the muscular system.

Just as important as food, don't forget to drink regularly. When the mercury approaches zero degrees, the feeling of thirst lessens . However, to maintain its internal temperature at 37°C, the body needs a large quantity of water, which must therefore be renewed regularly.

Tip 7: Take equipment, snowshoes, headlamp...

For the exercise of winter camping, it is relevant to take some tools and other equipment with you.

• In order to survey the snowy areas, snowshoes are a significant piece of equipment. They can also be used to pack down the place where you will place your tent if you cannot remove the snow on the ground.
• The headlamp will be mandatory for easy lighting in the evening when the sun goes down. It will be just as useful if you want to go hiking and the light is discreet.
• A metal shovel will be perfect for digging up snow, putting it on the edges of your tent or even for clearing snow. More resistant than a plastic shovel, its metal version is a very useful accessory in the winter season.

Whether you are a fan of camping or not, you now know the best advice to best understand its practice during the winter. If you have any questions, you can ask us in the comments so that we can answer them.

If you don't have any, don't hesitate to visit our heated technical clothing store. Designed for campers looking for high-performance, lightweight clothing to accompany them on their many adventures, these jackets will become your best companion. Combining a durable water-repellent coating, a down lining and a heating system, they are designed to protect you from the cold effectively without encumbering you with several layers of clothing.