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If you are planning to go on a hike this winter but not sure where to start, this guide is for you!

After living in the Pacific Northwest for six years and hiking in Washington state and later Pennsylvania, I have learned lots of tips and tricks for winter hiking.

As a beginner hiker, these are the things I wish I knew before going on a hike in cold, snowy, and icy weather for the first time.

A women stands on a snowy ridge, wearing a periwinkle shade of purple beanie and a bright red jacket. She is wearing snow shoes and holding hiking poles, looking off into the distance with a tree-lined mountain rising behind her, adding to the overall sense of wintery adventure.
Renting snow shoes is a fun way to explore the trails in winter.

Beginner’s Guide to Winter Hiking

  1. Gear Up: First things first – proper winter gear is a must. You need insulated, moisture-wicking clothing, sturdy waterproof boots, and traction for icy terrain.

    It’s important to look up conditions before you hike so you can be prepared.
    Even if there isn’t snow, navigating icy paths can be tricky on a winter hike. That’s where hiking poles come into play.

    They’ll give you the extra stability and confidence you need on slippery trails. You can also switch out the tips for snow baskets to help you walk in less-packed snow.

    Additionally, adding extra traction to your boots can help in slippery conditions.

    Some trails will need microspikes or chains on your boots for added traction in icy conditions. We love these YakTrax for a budget option that is lightweight to carry with you.

    Finally, some trails have so much snow that a snowshoe will be needed to stay on top of the surface and prevent you from post holing. You can rent snowshoes at your local outfitter, and sometimes state parks will even lend them for free.

    I also love to bring a set of hot hands to warm up on the trail. I activate them at the trailhead and keep them in my coat pockets for when I need them. They usually take about half an hour to warm up, and bringing them out to expose to air helps them too. You can find these at most supermarkets or outdoors stores.

    See a full list of our favorite winter hiking gear here!
A foot wearing a brown boot is extended over the knee of a person not seen in the image but wearing black leggings. The bottom of the boots are covered in a diamond pattern of rubber with small metal rings all along the bottom, giving traction for icy trails on a winter hike. The ground is in the background with some pine needles and green moss, with a blue backpack barely peeking from the bottom corner.
Traction on your boots makes all the difference in icy conditions – so always keep a pair in your day bag for hiking in wintertime.
A woman stands at a distance on the snowy banks of a lake, wearing a garnet puffy jacket and black warming headband. She is facing the camera while holding her own large camera which is faced towards the lake. The lake is covered in snow, with a mountain rising in the distance covered in trees with a tinge of golden light quickly disappearing at the top.
Layers can keep you warm and be shed as you warm up from movement on a winter hike.
  1. Layers, Layers Layers: It’s cold outside, but moving can make you warm. This is why layering is key for winter hiking.

    The most important thing is that there is room for pockets of air to warm up with your body heat. This is why mittens tend to be warmer than form-fitting gloves – the air around your fingers allows them to warm up.

    For the best formula, start with a lightweight base layer, like these sets from 32 Degrees. Then add a mid-weight layer like this merino wool top from Smart Wool, and fleece-lined leggings. Next, an insulating layer like a puffy down coat or a fleece jacket.

    Finally, always bring a waterproof layer for hiking in the snow or rain! Brighter colors are easier to see, and work for visibility year-round. Top it off with a warm hat and gloves or mittens, and a balaclava for especially cold and windy days.

    Don’t forget a good pair of wool socks to keep those toes toasty and dry!

    I know it might feel expensive to purchase all this gear to start – but it doesn’t have to be brand new or name brands. Check out your local thrift store, ask in your neighborhood Buy Nothing group, or see if your local outfitters has a used section. And once you have the gear, you’ll be set for winter adventures!
A hand holds a blue enamel mug with an anchor design on the front that is filled with hot chocolate. In the background, hikers wearing snowshoes are seen sitting around the cup, with backpacks sitting next to them in the snow. In the distance are snow-covered evergreen trees, giving an overall outdoorsy and adventurous feel on a winter hike.
Hot chocolate in the snow is a great way to warm up
A boot is strapped into a snowshoe and standing in the snow. Next to the boot is a deep footprint made by a hiker without snowshoes, with hiking poles standing in the hole to show off the depth. Some pine tree branches can be seen on the edge of the photo, indicating a beautiful evergreen scene where this person is hiking in the snow.
This boot print next to a snowshoe shows the difference these two can make!
  1. Fuel up: Hiking in cold winter weather burns more calories. Bring enough snacks and water to refuel – like trail mix or energy bars, and a hot beverage in a thermos can be your best pals.

    I love to bring a thermos of hot chocolate to enjoy on the trail. It makes a nice picnic to catch my breath and enjoy the winter scenery. Just be to sure bring a cushion to keep your butt warm!

    Pro tip: if a thermos is too much to carry, leave it in your car for a post-hike reward.
A woman stands at the edge of the top of a waterfall in a snow-covered scene framed by evergreen trees. The sun casts golden light behind her as she looks off into the distance, creating a sense of wonder and adventure.
  1. Know Before You Go: Always research the trail conditions before you head out. Check the local weather reports and trail updates; being prepared is key to safe winter hiking.

    In addition to weather reports, we always like to check local Facebook hiking groups and Alltrails for the most up-to-date reports from the trail. Weather could be different on the trail from the nearest town, roads could be un-cleared, or trails could be icy or snowed in.

    You might need tire chains or a wedge to help you maneuver your vehicle in the snow.

    The sun sets earlier and rises later in winter, so check the forecast and plan to finish your hike while it’s still daylight.
A women in a mustard-yellow coat stands in the snow snapping a photo with her camera on a tripod. Her subject is another woman in a bright blue coat, jumping with her arms in the air. The two women are standing on the banks of a river covered in snow and surrounded by snowy trees in a winter wonderland scene.
Hiking in snow can be deceiving. Mindy in the yellow jacket is actually standing on a frozen part of the river, which I later broke into when I stepped there.
  1. Be Prepared: While all the preparedness goes a long way, things can still go sideways.

    Always be prepared to be outside longer than you plan. Bring a headlamp (and extra batteries) in case it gets dark, some food and water, and a warm, waterproof jacket even if there is no rain or snow forecasted. Pack the 10 essentials in your hiking bag.

    Leave a warm blanket in your car, and make sure you pack an updated paper map or atlas. Download the map of the area you will be offline, just in case you don’t have cell signal.

    You might also want to consider bringing a GPS device or a satellite phone, depending on how remote the trail is.

    Always tell someone where you are going and when to expect you to return.
A woman stands on a field covered in packed snow with layers of jagged blue mountains rising in the distance. She wears a black outdit with a gray fleece jacket, sunglasses, and a denim hat, and carrys a small backpack and orange hiking poles, ready for her hike on the snowy Mount Rainier.
Always check weather and trail conditions before you hit the trail. This was taken in July on Mount Rainier, where it often takes many months for the snow to melt at higher elevations.
  1. Avalanche Awareness: Avalanches are a real risk when hiking in snowy mountain terrain. 

    Even trails that are normally easy in summer can be avalanche-risk terrain in winter. It’s important to equip yourself with basic avalanche safety knowledge.

    REI offers fantastic free courses on winter hiking and avalanche safety.

    You can also check forecast for avalanche risk and sign up for free classes from the Northwest Avalanche Center. Informing yourself can go a long way!
A woman stands on a rock surrounded by evergreen trees, wearing a garnet puffy jacket and black leggings. Her hair is pulled back in a bun and she wears a small day pack, looking off into the distance as a snow-dusted mountain frames the photo from the background with small clouds of fog dotting the landscape, adding to the overall sense of adventure on a cold winter hike.
Winter hikes don’t always include hiking in the snow, but it’s still important to be prepared with the right layers and gear for cold weather and possibly ice.
  1. Post-Hike prep: We always love to bring a fresh set of clean, dry clothes to change into once we get back to our car.

    Don’t forget socks, shoes that are more comfortable to slip into, and a hot beverage to warm yourself back up for the ride home!

    And, remember to let your contact person know that you are back, safe-and-sound.

Where to find out about winter hikes

Your favorite trails in summer might not be in great condition come cold weather, so it’s a great idea to check the conditions before heading out into the woods. Some trails that are usually easy can become treacherous with ice and snow, so always use caution and these tips to find out what to expect on the trail.

Just checking the weather usually only tells you about current weather conditions and not if it has been raining, snowing, frozen, or even melting, so reading reviews or asking a guide can help you find out where the best trails are for hiking in snow or cold weather.

  • Use Alltrails to check current reviews that mention the road and trail conditions. You can search directly on their website OR add the app to your phone. It’s free to use, but they also offer a paid plan that lets you download and save trails for offline use.
  • Go to the nearest visitor’s center. Visitors centers are such a great resource to not only learn more about the area in general but also about outdoor activities and places you might not know about already.
  • Visit the trail’s park office. Most trails are in a state park or forest, or national park. The park office is usually staffed with rangers who know the area well and are up to date on the latest conditions. We have planned to hike a meadow for wildflowers in the middle of summer only to find out from the park rangers that the area was still covered in snow!

Regular trails may also be groomed for particular snow sports, like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or snow shoeing, and not open to traditional hiking. They might even be un-groomed which will make it harder to get out on a hike in winter.

Both scenarios will make a difference on whether this is a good idea for your winter hike and inform how you prepare to go out into the snow.

Destination guides for winter hiking ideas:

Winter hiking is about having fun while being safe. With the right preparation, you’re all set for a wonderful winter adventure – snow and ice included. Happy hiking!