Snow Survival

Snow survival skills are necessary for anyone venturing to the great outdoors in the winter. Whether you're going snow camping, taking a ski trip, or renting a cabin, advanced planning will prepare you for emergency situations.

Warm and Dry
This is the motto of everyone trying to survive in the snow. If you're out playing in the snow you may not care. But when it comes to actual snow survival this will be your focus. Everything we talk about here is designed to keep you or get you warm and dry.

Clothing
Wool clothing will keep you warm even when it's wet. Wool socks, wool-blend pants, wool scarves, etc. - there are a plethora of good clothing choices you can make in wool.

Avoid cotton as it performs poorly when wet. Denim jeans are a terrible choice for snow camping. When they get wet they get heavy and cold and they take forever to dry.

Goretex and other synthetics are often great choices for outer clothing. They repel water better than wool but don't breathe as well. Well-designed coats will have vents. A combination jacket, with a wool or down liner and a synthetic shell is a great way to go.

Remember that most of your body heat will leave through your head. So a warm ski cap or beanie is the way to go. Hands and feet are next, so good gloves or mittens and warm socks are in order.

Layering works well because air trapped between the clothing will stay warm. Also, if you are hiking or doing other strenuous work you may want to remove some layers as your body warms up. You want to minimize sweat because it will leave you very cold once you take a break and rest. Consider wearing long underwear at all times.

Waterproof boots are important as well. Cold and wet feet can make you miserable. Be sure to treat your boots after you purchase them.

Bring extras, especially socks. If you get wet you will want to switch out as soon as possible. Keep at least one set of extras in zip-lock bags.

Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags are rated by temperature protection. Snow survival bags should have at least a zero degree rating. We recommend buying a synthetic mummy bag. Synthetics are lightweight and can still keep you warm if they're wet. A mummy-style bag will keep your head and shoulders warmer than a traditional bag. Also make sure they have a strong zipper and a fold of material along the zipper to keep out air.

You will want some padding under the sleeping bag. Not only will it be softer than the hard ground, but it will provide some insulation. You can buy rolled foam or inflatable pads. If you are caught having to improvise, try using leaves or pine needles; put a tarp between them and the sleeping bag if possible.

If you're lost, you may need to build your own igloo. Igloos take a bit of skill and planning. You will need to clear out your area and pack down the foundation. Fashion blocks of snow and let them harden by setting them in the sunlight. Your walls should be at least 1 foot wide at the base and thin out near the top, but at least a half foot thick. Position your door downhill, and if possible downwind.

A snow mound works almost as well and requires less planning. With this model, you create a large mound of snow and then dig an ice cave out of it. The difficulty is monitoring the width of the walls. Aim for a 2 foot thickness at the base and a 1 foot thickness on top. This will take several hours to build.

In all these snow survival shelters, remember to poke air holes so that you have fresh air coming in. Make your door exit down so that wind can't come in easily. You can also build a sleeping bench around the interior wall. It will be a little warmer on this shelf than on the floor.

For the igloo and snow mound you can use a candle to smooth out the inside. This will prevent water from dripping in the middle of the ceiling and strengthen the structure. Just burn a candle in the middle of the floor for about 20 to 30 minutes.

A simpler, but not as warm, shelter would be a ditch. Dig out an area about a foot bigger than your body and go a few feet deep. Line the bottom with leaves or brush and put a tarp over this padding. Create a roof by laying long branches over the ditch. Place another tarp over the branches and stake it down. Then cover the tarp with a few inches of snow. This shelter sets up quickly.

Snow Stoves
Regular camping stoves work great in normal conditions, but they don't function as well in cold temperatures. You may consider using a wood stove instead. They are inexpensive, lightweight, and durable. But this is really a snow survival issue. It may sound difficult to start a wood fire, but if it's too cold you may not be able to use a propane or butane stove.

Snow Survival Tips
Don't eat snow. It takes a lot of body energy to convert the snow to water and will put you at greater risk for hypothermia. Instead melt the snow in a pot on your stove.

Pine tree branches can be substituted for snow shoes. Strap a 3-foot branch (with lots of branching and needles) to each foot. This will enable you to walk on top of the snow rather than sinking in with each step.

Don't overexert yourself. The cold weather is stressful on the body and overexertion can lead to heart failure. Also, sweat will cool down your body and make hypothermia a concern.

Wear sunglasses. The reflection of the sun off the snow can damage your eyes.

Take extra tarps with you. They come in handy for a number of uses, especially when building shelters.

Check our Cold Weather Survival page for further information.

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