How and Why to Take Up Winter Hiking

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Winter hiking brings a strange, haunting quiet. On a freezing March day, as I climbed the Devil’s Path trail in New York’s Catskills, the only sounds I could hear were my own breath and the muffled crunch of my snowshoes on the lightly packed trail. There was no sign of other living things within earshot.

The trail leading to the summit of Indian Head Mountain lined with fir and balsam trees coated in ice and snow—felt totally different from when I’d hiked it in summer. But the dramatic scenery, complete stillness, and total absence of other trekkers was something I knew I’d come back for. I was new to winter hiking, but in that moment, I was hooked.

Spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic, mountain destinations across the U.S. have seen an unprecedented surge in visitors year-round in recent years. According to Statista.com, a record 58.7 million people took part in hiking activities in 2021, a jump of 80.4 percent from 2010. But the biggest increase in visits to these spots happens during warmer months, which means winter trails offer plenty of peace and quiet.

“Since the pandemic started, a lot of the smaller parking areas for trailheads have become harder to access, especially in summer,” says Grant Simmons, co-owner and guide at New Hampshire-based Cathedral Mountain Guides. “In winter, not only are trails less crowded, but I also love how the experience changes day to day, depending on the weather and recent storms.” 

While heading into the mountains in winter might seem intimidating for beginners, it’s a deeply rewarding experience with the right knowledge and preparation. There are just a few basic tips to keep you safe and comfortable during cold-weather trips. Below, we cover everything you need to know before hitting the trails from dressing the part to the pre-trip research you shouldn’t skip. 

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1. Choose the right trail

When it comes to winter hiking, any wooded trail you’d hike in summer is suitable. That said, hiking in snow is harder and takes more time than in summer, so it’s smart to start with shorter, easier hikes until you get used to the conditions. 

There are several apps and websites, such as AllTrails and Gaia GPS, that not only provide details about specific routes (like length and elevation gain) but also offer downloadable maps for offline use. They’re also great for finding trails in a specific area especially if you’re visiting a place you’re not familiar with. To begin, look for trails that are roughly half the distance you’d comfortably hike in summer, and avoid trails that gain a lot of elevation quickly. Steep trails can be tricky when covered in ice. A general guideline: Look for hikes with an elevation gain of no more than 500 feet per mile, and build up from there. Don’t jump into ambitious mountain hikes right away.

Usually, trail conditions depend on the weather, you won’t find park rangers shoveling snow off trails or grooming them like at a ski resort. If you show up the morning after a two-foot snowstorm, you can safely expect the trail to be covered in two feet of snow. But if you pick more popular hikes (the ones that pop up first in a Google search), the snow is likely to be packed down by other hikers. This makes it easier than wading through untouched, waist-deep powder.

On the plus side, heading to regions with consistent snowfall like Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, New Hampshire’s White Mountains, or California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains increases your chances of finding a winter wonderland when you arrive, rather than a cold, snowless, muddy trail.

2. Keep your eyes on the weather

It’s not just important to know what weather to expect during your hike, you’ll also want to track conditions for days before you set out. Knowing if it’s snowed recently, or if snow has melted and refrozen (often called a freeze-thaw cycle), will help you anticipate what the trails will be like. Websites like Mountainforecast.com even provide elevation-specific forecasts, which are incredibly helpful for specific mountains.

No matter where you get your weather info, it’s important to consider the elevation you’ll be hiking at. Typically, temperatures drop about five degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. So even if it’s warm and sunny at home, expect and prepare for completely different conditions in the mountains. On New Hampshire’s tallest peak, Mount Washington, it’s not unusual for blizzard conditions to be happening at the top while the valley below is 60 degrees and sunny.

3. Dress appropriately

When it comes to winter outdoor gear or any physical activity, really one of the most basic rules is to avoid cotton. Unlike down, wool, and synthetic materials, cotton soaks up moisture and takes an extremely long time to dry. In winter, cotton layers can get soaked with sweat (or melted snow and ice), putting you at risk of hypothermia or at the very least, making you very uncomfortable. 

An ideal layering system usually made up of a base layer, mid layer, and outer layer—is a great way to regulate your body heat and keep yourself dry. A base layer, such as the Rho Hybrid Bottom by Arc’teryx or the Brighton Base Layer by Tracksmith, is designed to pull moisture away from your skin. The main job of a mid layer is to insulate. Down or synthetic puffy jackets, like Cotopaxi’s Fuego Hooded Down Jacket, are a key part of the layering system because they offer an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. Having an extra layer, like one of Mountain Hardware’s Polartec Half-Zip jackets, is a good idea, you can add it during breaks or when you reach the summit. The outer layer is meant to protect you from wind and water; options from Arc’teryx and Mountain Hardware (such as the Beta Jacket or the Quasar Lite Jacket) work well. A winter hat will also go a long way in keeping you comfortable.

For your feet, choose insulated winter hiking boots like those from Vasque or Asolo—paired with wool or synthetic socks. It’s also always a good idea to bring at least one extra pair of socks in case the first pair gets wet. Switching into dry socks during or after a long hike is one of the most underrated but satisfying things you can do for yourself. Consider investing in Darn Tough socks, they’re some of the best you’ll find.

Finally, bring one or two pairs of warm gloves. You can use glove liners (like those from Outdoor Research) while hiking, and thicker outer winter gloves (Mammut makes excellent ones) on colder days or when you’re not moving.

4. Pack proper nourishment

While it’s always important to bring food on a hike, it’s especially crucial in winter. Dense, high-calorie snacks like cheeses, cooked meats, avocado, and nuts won’t just give you energy and keep you comfortable, they’ll also help keep you warm. Your body burns more calories in cold weather than in warm weather, so eating plenty of calories will not only replenish what you’ve lost but also provide the energy needed to stay warm and energized.

It’s also easy to forget to drink water in winter, but staying hydrated is key. When temperatures drop below freezing, it’s common for water bottle caps to freeze shut (the colder it gets, the more likely this is to happen). But since bottles usually freeze from the top down, storing yours upside down in your backpack is a simple trick to keep the cap from sticking. Some companies, like Outdoor Research, even sell insulated water bottle sleeves for the coldest winter days.

And while it’s not as hydrating as plain water, bringing an insulated mug filled with hot tea is a great way to stay motivated on a cold day.

5. Bring technical gear if necessary

In winter, trail conditions change constantly. Sometimes trails are packed down by hikers and icy; other times, they’re covered in fluffy snow.

Microspikes, like those made by Kahtoola provide traction on icy surfaces and are an essential piece of gear for every winter hike. But after a snowstorm, or on less-traveled trails, using snowshoes will not only give you traction but also keep you from sinking into deep snow. (If you thought hiking up a mountain was hard, try doing it while sinking to your waist with every step.)

Trekking poles with snow baskets can also help with balance on slippery trails, especially when you’re using snowshoes.

6. Expect the unexpected

You should not only know where you’re going, have a trail map, headlamp, and basic first-aid kit, but also have a sense of how long the hike will take. Hikes usually take longer when trails are covered in snow assuming an average speed of one mile per hour is a safe starting point. So for a six-mile hike, allow six hours to get back to your car. As you do more winter hikes, you’ll get a better feel for your own speed and comfort level. Also, make sure to check when the sun sets (we all know days are shorter in winter).

As with all hiking, you should also tell someone your exact plan including the specific trail you’re taking and when they can expect to hear from you.

Winter hiking might bring you face-to-face with the unexpected, but most of the time, you’ll realize that braving the cold was well worth it for the dramatic snowscapes and total silence.