I remember the feeling of panic the first time I went winter camping 8 years ago. I was alone in Colorado’s Gore Range. It was 1 a.m., and I was shivering uncontrollably. Everything was wet, I was unprepared, and I didn’t know what I was doing.
I learned quickly that night what not to do. But that trip also opened my eyes to a new world. My favorite terrain, but covered in snow and blanketed in peaceful silence. Not another person for miles. Untracked powder in every direction.
Camping app The Dyrt just reported that nearly a third of campers are now braving the elements to camp during the winter. Winter camping sharply increased by 40% between 2019 and 2021 and has stayed high.
“The fact that the rate of winter camping remains level from the height of the pandemic is remarkable,” CEO of The Dyrt, Kevin Long, said in a press release. “Travelers have every option available to them again, but winter camping remains at an all-time high. People bought the gear, braved the elements, and fell in love with enjoying the great outdoors at a quieter, cozier time of year.”
Backcountry winter camping comes with a learning curve and the gear requirements are specific. It can be intimidating. But the rewards are rich. It’s also a foundational skill for mountaineering and multiday winter traverses. To ease the learning curve, I’ve put together an essential backcountry winter camping gear list and a few hard-won tips to help you thrive whether you’re new to it or a decorated veteran.
Backcountry Winter Camping: Basics & Essentials
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I didn’t start winter camping because I wanted to spend more nights out in the cold. It was really about the untracked powder that sat just outside the immediate radius of winter trailheads. What I quickly learned was how much more there was to love than better access, whether you’re in it for the turns or not.
After a less-than-enjoyable first experience, I’ve spent years learning from the experts and reading every resource available. I now find myself thriving out in the cold darkness.
The keys to success? Staying dry and warm day and night, building a great campsite, and dialing in your camp cooking setup.
Staying Warm During Peak Winter
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Wet = Cold
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Camp Clothes
Layering System
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Gloves Galore
Sleep Setup
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Campsite Selection & Construction
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Selecting Your Winter Campsite
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Prepping Your Winter Campsite
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Setting Up the Tent
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Excavating Your Winter Camp
Camp Cooking
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The Complete Backcountry Winter Camping Gear List
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Technical Gear
- Skis, splitboard, or snowshoes
- Ski touring or splitboard boots
- Skins
- Poles with powder baskets
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- Packable avalanche shovel
- Avalanche probe
- Avalanche beacon
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- 50-80L backpack
- Navigation: Electronic and backup paper map
- Compass
- Packable daypack (optional)
- Snow saw for snowpack analysis
- Touring helmet
- Crampons (optional)
- Ice axe (optional)
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Camp Gear
- 4-Season tent with guylines
- Kitchen/camp shelter like Big Agnes Gold Camp UL 5 (optional)
- Big winter tent stakes for deadman anchors (sticks/rocks also work)
- Sleeping bag or system rated for the temperatures you’ll experience
- Sleeping bag liner for boosting warmth (optional)
- Camp pillow or stuff sack
- Closed-cell foam sleeping pad
- Insulated inflatable sleeping pad
- Headlamp w/extra batteries
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Kitchen Gear
- Backpacking canister stove system or multi-fuel stove
- Fuel and extra fuel
- Cooking pot
- Lighter, matches
- Spoon/fork
- Hand sanitizer
- Ziplock bags for trash
- Insulated mug
- Hot drinks (tea, hot cocoa, apple cider packets)
- Thermos
Clothing & Wearables
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- 2 pairs base layers: one for movement (wet) and one for camp (dry)
- 2-3 pairs of socks: one for movement, one for camp, and/or one for sleeping
- Synthetic midlayer top
- Heavyweight down or synthetic puffy parka
- Down or synthetic insulating pants
- Hardshell jacket
- Softshell or hardshell pants
- Warm hat
- Touring hat
- Protective sunglasses (Ample coverage to protect from reflection off snow)
- Goggles
- Warm gloves
- Working/touring gloves
- Liner gloves
- Down booties or camp slippers
- Boot gaiters (if you’re using snowshoes)
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Sun hoodie (optional)
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First Aid/Repair
- 3-5 ski straps
- Strong tape
- Multitool with knife and tools for bindings
- Chemical hand warmers for emergencies
- First-aid kit
- Blister tape
- Space blanket
- SOS emergency locator beacon (Garmin inReach Mini or similar)
- Paracord
- Extra pole basket
- Extra tail and tip clip for skins
Personal Gear
- Widemouth water bottle (skip the hydration bladders — the hose will freeze)
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- SPF lip balm
- Toe and hand warmers
- Trash bag for lining backpack in bad weather
- Water filter or treatment
- WAG Bag toilet kit
- Smartphone with downloaded maps
- Compact power bank with phone cord
How to Camp in Winter: The Final Word
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