Winter Outdoor Fun

Winter Wonderland! January is cold and snowy in many places. If you are (un)lucky you are looking at snow right now and the temperature is well under zero. Excited about venturing in the frozen great Outdoors? Most people are not. But, for some, winter is the best time of the year for wilderness adventures. The advantages of the snow season can’t be ignored, let’s explore the best of them.

-No pesky insects in winter!

Yes, we hate them too! No clouds of mosquitoes and flesh-eating flies buzzing around you. Think about that. How often have you thought: I would love to do without those bloodthirsty critters during my camping trip! Well, those buggers are not around in winter, so you can leave your tent wide open if you want.

-Snakes and bears hibernate in winter.

Even if you love those creatures, you may feel relieved they are not around. Well, except bears can be dangerous any time of the year. They do wake up sometimes. Beware the “snow bear,” a bear who could be angry to see you in the middle of his winter night! So, never completely excludes the possibility of meeting one. Carry your bear spray at all times!

-You can walk on frozen water bodies.

You are gaining so much reach! In summer many places are not accessible. They are now. Just snowshoe or ski across the lake or river and explore a place you have never seen before. Cold and snow allow us to travel huge and wild expanses on foot.

-Snow makes it easier to discover the forest's undergrowth.

Fallen trees and thick brushes are a lesser problem when they are covered by layers of snow. And as a bonus: snow allows you to track wildlife! You can literally read the “wildlife story” of a place by looking at the ground. Squirrels, hares, coyotes, moose, snow reveals their presence and offers you a clear picture of the animals living around you.

-You see farther and better in winter.

No leaves to block your view. Furthermore, the air is colder and often less polluted in winter. But that’s not all.

-The light is incredible.

Sure, the snowy wilderness is monochromatic, but have you noticed the light? Low angled light makes for the best photographs, shadows are long and the sky colors can be amazing. And the beauty of the night? Incredible! Especially if you are lucky enough to spot a full moon or get a glimpse of the fascinating Northern Lights!

-Snow is a great shelter material.

Snow can protect you from elements and has insulative properties, in a survival scenario just dig a hole in the snow and protect yourself from the wind. Dependence on fire to get heat is not as critical when the snow is deep since it is such a great insulative material.

-Water is everywhere.

Just put snow in your pot or cup and melt it to get water. Sure, it takes a little bit of work, but a titanium pot heats up very quickly and should melt the snow in no time. And as a bonus, your snow water likely won’t be contaminated by dangerous bacteria like giardia! You may get tree debris in it maybe, but nothing bad for your health.

-You don’t need a freezer for your camping food.

The freezer is outside! So, you can bring all the perishable food you want, it is unlikely to get spoiled. Bring on the meat or fish if you’d like.

-You are less likely to bump into other outdoor people.

A lot less human pressure on the wilderness in winter. Less hunters, hikers, campers. No crowds.  In some wilderness areas you will have huge expanses just for yourself! That last point might be the best upside of a winter adventure. In winter you get a better feel of what is wilderness: a place devoid of people or human activities.

Learn how to prepare for a winter outdoor adventure.