Winter/Snow Camping Gear List

Winter/Snow Camping Gear List

This winter and snow camping gear list is a guideline to help you prepare for safe and enjoyable trips in cold and snowy conditions. Keep in mind that not every item on this list will be necessary for every trip—what you need will depend on the specific conditions, location, and duration of your adventure. Use this list as a starting point and adapt it to suit your experience, the weather forecast, and the unique demands of your journey. This list was adapted from REI’s thoughtful resource:

Note: The club has some equipment in the library

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
      • Time the sun sets
      • 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)

Travel Equipment (Contextual)

  • Snowshoes or touring skis
  • Crampons (confirm boot compatibility)
  • Mountaineering axe
  • Trekking poles (with snow baskets)

Base Kit Equipment

    • Backpack – approximately 40–60 L, depending on the length of the trip and your equipment. Your pack should fit properly and be comfortable when fully loaded. It should also allow for equipment like an axe to attach to the outside.
    • Pack liner or waterproof bags/stuff sacks
    • Tent (4-season with extra cordage for guying tents out against strong winds)
    • Sleeping bag appropriate for the expected overnight temperature
    • Sleeping pad (insulated sleeping pad or summer mattress with dense foam pad below)
    • Pillow or stuff sack for clothing, if desired

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
    • Neck gaiter or buff

Camp Clothes:

  •  

Keep these clothes dry until you reach camp.

    • Warm synthetic or down jacket
    • Dry shirt/base layer
    • Dry pants
    • Warm dry socks
  • Optional Clothing:
    • Long underwear, synthetic or wool
    • Extra socks and underwear
    • Rain hat
    • Camp shoes or sandals
    • Sleeping gloves
    • 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
    • insulating bag liner

Additional safety gear (Contextual)

  • Avalanche transceiver (1 per person)
  • Avalanche probe (1 per person)
  • Snow shovel (1 per person)
  • Slope meter
  • Snow saw
  • Helmet (and compatible jackets, and layer for under your helmet)

Cooking, Food and Water:

      • Stove, pot and fuel
      • Eating utensils, cup, bowl, spoon
      • Water treatment (filter, tablets or drops)
      • Snacks enough for each day + 1 extra day
      • Dinners for each night + 1 extra night
      • Lunches for each day
      • Water containers — choose containers appropriate for the conditions. In freezing conditions, hydration hoses can freeze.
      • Food storage: bear-resistant container or approved food-hanging system as required for the trip.

Personal Items and Hygiene

    • Toiletry kit (hand sanitizer, toilet paper, hand soap, toothbrush and toothpaste)
    • Small hand trowel, where required
    • Personal hygiene items (wipes, menstrual products, etc.)
    • Small face/hand towel
    • Garbage bags or other method for packing out waste

Optional Extras:

    • Camera
    • Sitting pad
    • 2 large garbage bags (one for garbage and one because you just never know!)
    • Camp booties
    • Hand warmers

Optional Trailhead Items

Mice often visit the interior of your vehicle while you are away. If possible, hang your snacks, coffee cups, and any tissues. 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