Winter trips require different equipment choices than summer hikes. The weather and snow can change quickly, and you may see several different conditions in the same day. Snow can be deep and soft, firm and easy to walk on, or hard and icy. It may be warm enough for melting snow and rain, or cold enough that wind and blowing snow make it feel much colder.
On many days you’ll spend a large portion of your trip breaking trail through fluffy snow. Good clothing and the right equipment will help you stay warm, dry and comfortable as conditions change.
Keep your pack contents dry. On Vancouver Island, winter trips can bring rain even at higher elevations. Use a pack liner or waterproof bags to protect your dry clothing, food and other items that need to stay dry.
Not every trip requires all of the equipment listed below. The trip leader will identify additional technical equipment required for the route, terrain and conditions.
Note: The club has some equipment, and the trip leader may have some gear you can borrow.
Know before you pack
Packing for a trip isn’t always black and white. The equipment you need depends on the trip, conditions and your own needs. Check the trip information and make sure you know:
-
- Expected weather and route conditions
- Avalanche forecast for the region
- Distance and difficulty of the trip
- Expected day and nighttime low temperatures
- Plan that you will have to melt water to refill
- What group equipment the trip leader is providing
The 10 Essentials
-
- Navigation/Communication (map, compass, whistle, GPS, satellite communicator, battery packs and cables)
- Sun protection (glacier glasses or sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm and sun hat)
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
- First-aid kit and personal medications
- Fire starter (waterproof matches or lighter)
- Multitool with knife and a small repair kit appropriate for your equipment (repair tape, cord, patches, spare parts, etc.)
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (water and an insulated bottle, hydration bladder hoses commonly freeze)
- Emergency shelter (tarp, bivy sack, or tent, )
Clothing:
Avoid cotton. Synthetic or wool clothing dries faster and retains more warmth when damp.
-
- Daypack — a pack that can hold your winter gear and attachment points for your snowshoes/skis
- Sturdy boots appropriate for the temperatures that are compatible with your snowshoes, skis and/or crampons
- Synthetic socks or wool socks for cold weather
- Base layer — synthetic or wool
- Mid layer — fleece or other insulating layer
- Warm synthetic or down jacket
- Warm hiking pants suitable for winter conditions
- Waterproof/windproof shell jacket
- Waterproof shell pants suitable for your type of activity
- Warm hat/toque
- Synthetic mitts and gloves (at least one pair of each)
- Gaiters
- Ski goggles (wind protection)
Optional Extras:
-
- Extra gloves
- Balaclava/Facemask
- Neck gaiter/buff
- Ski pants
- Spare socks
- Camera
- 2 Kitchen garbage bags (useful for hands/feet in a pinch)
- 3/4 body-length foam pad for sitting and first aid
Snowshoe-specific items
-
- Snowshoes appropriate for the type of terrain with straps to secure them to your pack
- Poles with snow baskets
Ski-specific items
-
- Touring skis or splitboard (Alpine touring, Telemark or Split board) with straps to secure them to your pack
- Boots that fit your bindings
- Ski Poles (stronger than trekking poles)
- Skins
- Skinwax
- Ski helmet
- Ski crampons
Avalanche Safety equipment –when required
If a trip enters or may enter avalanche terrain, the trip leader will specify the avalanche safety equipment and training required. Everyone travelling in avalanche terrain should carry a functioning transceiver, probe and shovel and know how to use them.
-
- Avalanche transceiver
- Avalanche probe
- Metal avalanche shovel
- Avalanche training appropriate to the trip
Optional Trailhead Items
These items can be left in your vehicle for the trip home:
-
- Clean change of clothes
- Dry shoes
- Towel
- Rewarding drink and car snacks for a long ride home
- Bag for dirty, smelly clothes
Choosing a Snowshoe
Many styles of snowshoes are available. For Island Mountain Ramblers trips, we recommend models designed for steep and complex mountain terrain, with strong traction and precise foot placement rather than flotation alone. Snowshoes intended for flat terrain may be adequate for simple trips but can pose safety risks on steep or technical routes.
Ideal snowshoes have:
-
- Aggressive traction: Steel crampons under the ball of the foot and sharp heel and toe cleats are essential for climbing and descending firm or icy snow.
- Parallel Bars (side hill bars): traction rails mounted along the length of the snowshoe’s decking
- Heel lifters: Built-in climbing bars reduce calf fatigue and improve efficiency on sustained steep ascents.
- Rigid or semi-rigid frame: A stiffer snowshoe provides better edging and stability on sidehills and hard-packed slopes.
- Compact size: Shorter snowshoes (22″-24″ max) are easier to maneuver in steep, technical terrain and reduce the chance of catching a tail while climbing.
- Secure bindings: Bindings should hold the foot firmly with minimal play, remain reliable in cold conditions, and allow precise control on uneven slopes.
- The club loaner gear matches these criteria.
