FeatherSticks · Skills
Winter Hiking in Snow: Moving Safely on Foot and Snowshoes
Snow doubles the effort. Plan for it, and winter walking is magic.
Quick facts
- Time
- Plan for roughly 1.8 × summer walking time on snow
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate on gentle terrain; needs planning
- Best for
- Forest, valley and low-hill routes away from steep slopes
- You need
- Layers, warm boots, gaiters, traction or snowshoes, poles
What you need
- Base, mid and shell layers plus an insulated jacket
- Warm boots with room for wool socks; spare socks and gloves
- Knee-high gaiters
- Microspikes for icy paths
- Snowshoes for deep snow; trekking poles with snow baskets
- Map, compass, phone with offline map, power bank
- Head torch, flask with a warm drink, snacks, first aid kit, sit pad
Step by step
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1 Plan a shorter day
Check sunset and plan a route that finishes well before dark. Snow slows you down a lot, so allow far more time than in summer.
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2 Layer to stay dry
Start slightly cool, open zips before you sweat and put on an insulated jacket at every stop.
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3 Fit gaiters and traction
Wear warm boots with gaiters against deep snow, and microspikes on icy paths and hard-packed snow.
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4 Snowshoe in deep snow
In knee-deep snow, put on snowshoes and use poles with snow baskets. Walk relaxed with slightly wider steps.
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5 Avoid avalanche slopes and ice
Stay away from steep open slopes, gullies, cornices and frozen lakes unless you are trained, equipped and certain.
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6 Turn around on time
Set a fixed turnaround time before you start and keep it, whatever the summit or the view ahead promises.
Common mistakes
- Planning a summer-length route for a winter day.
- Walking in the insulated jacket and soaking every layer with sweat.
- Waiting until the boots are full of snow before putting on gaiters.
- Relying on your own or others' tracks to find the way back.
- Crossing a frozen lake or snow-covered stream to save time.
- Walking below steep slopes or close to cornices without avalanche training.
- Ignoring the turnaround time because the destination seems close.