Winter hiking: 6 tips to get you started

Winter hiking: 6 tips to get you started

Winter hiking without experience is strenuous at best and deadly at worst. We give tips for the right preparation

Winter hiking is a polarizing sport: some love it, others hate it. All too often, people have bad experiences not because they are naturally cold-resistant, but because they are ill-prepared. Not only do you make basic mistakes like packing the wrong gear, but you also arrive mentally unprepared.

It's important to understand that winter hiking can be unnervingly different than its summer equivalent: simple movements suddenly become difficult, and skills you thought you had mastered prove unreliable. Using your body efficiently takes more practice than you might imagine.

Winter navigation can also be completely different. When you can't see anything but the ground in front of you, it takes a lot of skill to chart an accurate course. However, with practice and patience, you may find that you love winter hiking as much as others hate it. Here are six tips to get you started.

1. Skill up in the summer

Before you embark on any level of winter hiking, make sure you are comfortable with summer hiking. Practice your navigation skills, familiarize yourself with the 10 Essentials, and apply the basic safety precautions outlined when night hiking. Specifically: check weather conditions, make sure you know when the sun will rise and set, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return/check in, and plan for emergencies.

Navigation is of utmost importance. Being able to instinctively use your compass and map will help you get back to safety when winter hiking weather turns against you.

2. Complete a winter mountaineering course

It is possible to refine your winter hiking skills with experienced friends, but we recommend completing a winter mountaineering course. You'll learn a wide range of skills, from using crampons, ice axes and ropes to climbing up and down in the snow, catching a fall and assessing avalanche risk.

We have used Jagged Globe and can recommend it, particularly their 5 day introductory winter mountaineering course in Scotland.

Atlas & BootsPeter's course helped him prepare for climbing Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe

3. Get the perfect pair of boots

Buying crampons-proof boots will likely put a dent in your budget, but getting a perfect pair is worth the cost. Make sure your boots quality matches your ambitions. One made for high-end climbing is not suitable for winter hiking and vice versa. The most important thing is to get a perfect fit for your feet, so spend the time and money necessary to choose the right pair.

DreamtimeThe right footwear is essential for winter hiking

It's also worth investing time in finding the right ice ax. The length depends on the steepness and the terrain. For winter hiking, a longer ice ax (55cm to 60cm) is better than one for climbing.

4. Put your new skills to the test

After taking a course and getting equipped, it's time to attempt your first winter hike. If possible, wait for a good weather window (preferably clear and wind-free) and take an experienced winter hiker with you.

Plan for an early start and finish, be careful with your pace estimates and start on relatively easy terrain (e.g. Snowdonia rather than Scotland). Consider joining a local winter hiking club to practice your new skills.

5. Challenge yourself

Once you've completed a few starter hikes, move on to the next level. For example, if you studied in Wales, try a winter hike in the Scottish Highlands.

Atlas & BootsPeter challenged himself on Aconcagua, the highest peak outside the Himalayas

You can choose to complete an advanced winter mountaineering course or independently participate in remote hikes in Norway in Europe or Canada and Alaska in America. These areas represent real winter mountaineering. Of course, they pose a danger and require great care, but the rewards you will reap are great.

6. Take care of your winter hiking gear

In addition to maintaining your skills, it's important to care for your winter hiking gear. Biting winter winds and blinding snowstorms can cause wear and tear that goes unnoticed in the summer but is unbearable in the winter. Check your gear at the start of the season and stock up on spare gloves, goggles, hats and buffs. Proper maintenance of your equipment can extend its life – and yours – for many years.

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