February 14, 2026
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
Every winter, our family makes an effort to go snow camping in Strathcona Park. It’s become something of a tradition — one that isn’t always easy to schedule, but is always worth the effort.
In my opinion, there’s a sweet spot for winter tenting: somewhere between –5°C and –7°C. That might sound shockingly cold to some, but seasoned winter campers know the truth. Warmer temperatures mean melting snow, damp clothing, and boots that freeze solid overnight. There are few things less pleasant than trying to force your feet into frozen boots or pulling on stiff, icy gloves. When it’s properly cold, though, everything stays dry. Condensation turns to delicate frost crystals on the inside of the fly, and the world feels crisp rather than soggy.
Well… this year we overshot the sweet spot.
At Lake Helen Mackenzie in our little analogue thermometer read somewhere between –12°C and –15°C in the morning. That’s properly cold — especially by Vancouver Island standards.
We had eight brave souls join us for the overnight at Lake Helen Mackenzie. In past years we’ve trudged across metres of snow to reach camp. This time, conditions were leaner — in places we were walking on exposed gravel along the summer trail, while at camp there was barely any snow on the wooden platforms.
For some, this was a first winter camping experience. For others, it was an opportunity to test new gear. My son brought along a brand-new 0°C down sleeping bag, and I decided this was the perfect opportunity to try out my Durston X-Dome 2 rather than hauling our heavier four-season shelter. The verdict? The sleeping bag performed beautifully — warm and cozy all night. The tent, however, provided exactly zero warmth. While I’m confident it would handle snow and wind just fine, it did nothing to trap heat. Let’s just say my nose felt the temperature more than I would have liked by morning.
The reward for the cold was spectacular clarity. The skies were beautifully clear, and we were treated to brilliant stars without having to stay up too late. In the morning, despite the frosty start, the sun rose into a cloudless blue sky. By the time we made our way across the lake, the sun was blazing, layers were shedding, and snow was softening quickly underfoot.
Cold nights. Bright skies. Good company.
Thank you to everyone who came out — whether it was your first club trip, your first snow camp, or simply a chance to test new gear. Winter camping can be type-two fun at times, but sharing it with a great group makes it memorable for all the right reasons.