10 Best Tips for Hiking in Winter: Hiking Outfits and Essential Gear
Written By Nathan Davy
Tips to make winter hiking fun and easy
So you’ve read our article The Ultimate Guide on Winter Hiking: How to Choose a Safe Trail , planned your route and packed the 10 More Essentials to Hike with a Baby. You are ready for some winter hiking! But how do I make sure we stay warm and have fun along the way?
In Colorado, we have no shortage of ways to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors in the winter. But sometimes in the winter, when it hasn’t snowed for a few weeks, and we don’t feel like feel like skiing crusty groomers and rock hard moguls, we find ourselves sitting on our couches instead of taking a beautiful winter hike. These 10 Tips will show you how to stay warm, dry, and enjoy your winter hike!
1. BEFORE YOU GO: CHECK THE WEATHER
When deciding which day to go on a family hike, watch the weather forecast closely. Weather in Colorado is highly variable from day to day. One day in winter might be 10 degrees, cloudy, with gusty winds. The next day could be mid 30’s or 50s, calm and sunny. If you haven’t hiked outside too often during our winters, you’d be amazed how warm the Colorado sun can feel at 35 degrees with no wind, grab your favorite kid carrier and go for it. But if they’re calling for frigid temps, wind and snow, I don’t try to force a hike with our kiddos. Instead I take them sledding and enjoy hot chocolate and movies. So check the weather with these great resources.
Tools for Weather
- Check Www.Weather.Gov for detailed weather forecasts
- Check Open Snow by Joel Gratz (https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/colorado) for daily snow forecasts by region.
- Consult the CAIC (https://avalanche.state.co.us/) to anticipate our mountain weather and snow conditions.
2. CHOOSE A SHORTER HIKE IN THE WINTER
Learn more about choosing a safe winter hike here. The Ultimate Guide to Winter Hking: How to Choose a Safe Trail
While in the summer you might scoff at anything less than a few miles, a couple miles with your kid on a crisp winter day can be just about right. You’ll likely be moving a little slower due to the snow, and you don’t want to expose them to the cold for too long. Cold is cumulative and it’s hard to get them warm and happy again once they’re cold.
3. THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO HIKE IN WINTER
Go ahead, sleep in. Ha! You can’t, you’ve got kids. As to the timing of your hike, shoot for a mid-morning to late afternoon start. In the summer we often want to get to the trailhead early, but in the winter afternoon thunderstorms aren’t a thing, and a few hours of bright sunshine can do wonders for the trails and temps.
So aim for a late morning to early afternoon start. Don’t forget that the sun sets early in winter, bring a head lamp just in case, and plan to be back at the car before it gets dark.
4. WARM HIKING BOOTS FOR WOMEN and MEN
Selecting boots for summer and winter is not all that different. While you might want slightly warmer boots in the winter, you’ll want to consider the following:
- Boot height: low rise, ankle, or high.
- Boot weight: lighter for speed or stiffer for longer treks
- Materiality: breathability and waterproof
- Fit: order a few to try on and return the rest, or head to a local shop.
REI has a great article here on selecting hiking boots.
5. ADD TRACTION CONTROL TO YOUR BOOTS
While having warm feet is great, having traction is even more critical on winter hikes where you’ll likely encounter snow or ice. If you are carrying your child, you want to be absolutely certain you don’t slip. Trekking poles are essential for winter hiking, but we love them in the summer too. Not only do they improve your stability significantly, combined with microspikes, you’ll feel like you are hiking with four wheel drive.
Our Favorite Gear for Traction Control:
- For Adults: Kahtoola Microspikes
- For Kids: Yaktraks XS fits youth sizes 1-4 and S fits youth sizes 3-7.
- Trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles
- Snowshoes for deeper snow or less traveled trails. MSR Evo Snowshoes These snowshoes have carried me up mountains like Twin Sister’s, and Mt. Sniktau in the dead of winter.
6. WHAT TO WEAR FOR HIKING IN THE WINTER:THE IMPORTANCE OF LAYERS
I’m a former Army Ranger and clothes are not my forte. Read Esther’s detailed article on What to Wear Hiking in the Winter for the full breakdown. This is my two cents as a dad hiking with kids.
If you are carrying your child, you and your kids need to dress differently for winter hiking. You are going to be sweating, meanwhile your kid is chillin in the backpack. I recommend starting out a little on the chilly side when leaving the trailhead. You can always add layers later, but you’ll warm up quickly especially when hiking uphill. Sweat is your enemy as it will quickly chill you when you take a break or start to descend.
7. WINTER HIKING PANTS AND PACKABLE DOWN LAYERS
Wear wind resistant layers (they still need to breathe to keep you from sweating) as even a light winter breeze can cool you off quickly. Fjallräven makes some great gear for winter hiking in Colorado. I love their trekking trousers (Barents and Kebs depending on the hike) that use a unique material, G1000, that is resistant to water and wind but still breathes nicely. I can add wax to it to make it more water and wind resistant, but they breathe much better for hiking than most shell pants meant for skiing.
In the winter I always have a packable down layer stuffed in the bottom of the pack, and am always glad it’s there when we stop for a snack or sip of hot cocoa.
8. HOW TO DRESS YOUR KID FOR WINTER HIKING
Meanwhile, bundle up the kids. A down puffy, leggings underneath warm pants, warm boots, mittens, and knit hat will keep them happy, while you burn off a few extra calories. Follow the same principles as in our article How to Dress Your Child for Skiing. Don’t forget to pack an extra layer for you and your child.
9. WEAR SUNSCREEN EVEN WHEN HIKING IN THE WINTER
Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your faces, even on an overcast day. Our thin air, combined with the snow’s reflection of sunlight can burn exposed skin quickly for you and your kiddos.
10. STAY HYDRATED
Drink water throughout the hike. While you might not think about it as much in the cold, you’re losing water to sweat and heavy breathing as you hike, it’s critical to stay hydrated at our altitude to avoid altitude sickness, exacerbated by dehaydration.
Pro Tip: Finally pack a thermos with some hot cocoa for when you reach that frozen lake, or the top of the foothill. These things will keep your drink hot literally all day in freezing temps. Your kid will be psyched to have some nice warm cocoa with their snack when you take a break, and I bet you sneak a few sips too.
still considering a hike in the winter? check out our companion guides!
Got a suggestion?
Gather up everything you need and hit the trail this winter! What other tips do you have for hiking in the winter with kids?
Looking for suggestions on places to go? Checkout our Hike Reviews at www.ColoradoWithKids.com/Going-Out/
If you like this post, please share on social media it helps other families find us.
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