Winter camping in the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies is an unforgettable experience, but it’s not for the unprepared. With vast, snow-covered landscapes and ever-changing weather, cold-weather camping can quickly turn challenging. Don’t be fooled by the region’s relatively mild winters—whether you're camping near Vancouver or trekking deeper into Western Canada, having the right tent for cold weather camping is essential to stay warm and dry.

Cold Weather Camping Guide

From windproof tents to layering strategies, this checklist will help you gear up for a successful winter camping adventure, no matter where you pitch your tent!

Winter Camping Gear Checklist

Having the proper gear is critical to staying warm during a winter camping trip, so I created this gear checklist to help ensure you’re prepared for your next cold weather camping adventure. 

1. Winter Camping Sleeping Gear

Staying warm at night is critical because, unlike during the day, you're not moving to generate body heat. This means your sleeping setup needs to insulate you from the cold ground and keep you comfortable through the night.

Start with a reliable tent. Because the coastal areas of Western Canada is known for rain, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, you'll want a tent that can handle both wet and cold conditions. A four-season tent with a bathtub bottom is ideal for keeping water out when camping in rainy or snowy conditions. My go-to is a two-person Eureka tent, perfect for year-round use.

Next up is your bedding. A good sleeping bag with an appropriate temperature rating is the most important thing during the cold nights, but you will also want extra blankets for layering both underneath and on top of your sleeping bag for an extra layer of insulation. My go-to are wool blankets, and I particularly love the ones from Hudson’s Bay, but others prefer to bring a down quilt. You’ll also want a sleeping pad to keep you up off the cold ground. 

Essentials:

• Four-season tent (bathtub bottom preferred)
• Cold-rated down sleeping bag
• Wool blankets or down quilt for extra insulation
• Insulated sleeping pad
• Tarp for extra ground protection
• Inflatable pillow for easy packing
• Hot water bottle for additional warmth

2. Winter Camping Clothing

Layering is the most effective way to stay warm during winter camping in the Canadian Rockies or British Columbia. The right layers will help regulate body temperature, prevent heat loss, and adapt to changing weather conditions.

Your base layer should be moisture-wicking, like merino wool, to keep sweat off your skin. The mid-layer traps heat, and down is a great insulator for this purpose. The outer layer, or shell, should be waterproof and windproof—look for Gore-Tex materials to keep rain, snow, and wind at bay. Arc'teryx and Burton are top brands that excel in outdoor gear for Canadian winters.

Cold Weather Camping Clothing Essentials:

• Merino wool base layers (top and bottom)
• Down jacket or insulating mid-layer
• Waterproof Gore-Tex shell (jacket and pants)
• Wool socks  
• Toque (wool hats are the warmest)
• Waterproof gloves
• Insulated hiking boots or Gore-Tex runners
• Hand warmers (there are traditional hand warmers or digital ones)
• Scarf or neck gaiter for face protection

One essential tip is to always change into dry clothing, including socks and underwear, before going to sleep. Damp clothes can quickly make you cold once you stop moving.

Another thing to consider when packing for winter camping is ensuring you have enough clothes to keep you warm. It is critical to change every single item of clothing when you go to sleep, including your socks and underwear, so make sure you pack enough. 

3. Outdoor Cooking 

Cooking outdoors can be such a wonderful experience, but during the colder months it’s extra important and can require a bit of extra planning. When you're camping in cold weather, your body burns more calories to stay warm, so keeping your energy levels up is vital not just for comfort but for safety.

Easy Snacks for Winter Camping:

When winter camping you are going to want to have some easy snacks on hand, but the type of snacks you bring matters because you want things that will provide your body with the nutrients you need. Here are some of my go-to’s:

• Trail mix
• Energy bars
• Jerky
• Pre-made sandwiches 

Cooking Tips for Winter Camping:

Planning ahead is one of the most important things when it comes to cooking outdoors. You don’t want to get there and realize you are missing ingredients, essential equipment, or you don’t have enough fuel. Check out the gear checklist below for some outdoor cooking essentials, but first, here are some tips that will help ensure you’re prepared. 

1. Maximize Cooler Space: If you’re car camping, I recommend having a separate cooler for drinks because they take up valuable space and you are going in and out of that cooler more often during the day (but maybe less so in the winter, if you opt for warm drinks). Another way to maximize your cooler is by freezing some of your pre-prepped meals.
2. Meal Plan: Before going on a trip longer than two nights, I meal plan every single meal to ensure I have enough food and can take the time to prep before hitting the road. 
3. Pre-Cook or Prep Meals: Many things like soups, stews and even rice can be pre-cooked and even frozen to be easily re-heated while you’re camping. For breakfast, foil wrapped breakfast burritos are a great go to. Also, you likely don’t want to do prep like chopping when it’s cold and one pot meals are much easier to clean up, so thinking ahead and preparing your meals is ideal in the winter.
4. Think Foil: Foil pouches are a great way to prep many different foods to make them easy to cook on a grill or over the fire. 

Gear Checklist for Cooking Outdoors

When it comes to gear for cooking outdoors, it’s not only important to have all the equipment you need, but the right equipment can make all the difference. 

A. Food Storage

A good cooler is essential for keeping your food cold, especially if you plan on bringing raw meat. My go to is Yeti, but they are quite expensive, brands like Xspec and RTIC also have great coolers. 

You’ll also want to think about the containers you use to store your food. Think re-sealable storage containers and Ziplock bags. 

B. Food Prep

• Camping stove
• Fuel for stove
• Roasting sticks (for marshmallows and hot dogs)
• Jet Boil (I pack this in addition to my camping stove because it’s so easy to quickly heat up water for coffee, oatmeal, or soup without any extra hassle)
• Fire starting equipment and dry wood (waterproof matches, lighter, kindling, fire starter)
• Cookware (You can buy great camping pots and pan sets. The ones made for backpackers often fit together nicely and are lightweight)‍
• Cooking utensils (I would generally recommend silicone. You can buy these in sets as well, but some things you may not think of that would be helpful to have are tongs, scissors, cutting board, and a can opener. I have definitely brought canned food before and then forgot the can opener.)‍
• Knives‍
• Eating utensils (you also need forks, knives and spoons for eating)‍
• Plates, bowls and spoons‍
• Mug (an insulated mug is great for your hot beverages as well as for soups and oatmeal)

C. Cleaning Supplies

To be eco-friendly, you want reusable eating utensils, but that means you need to wash them afterwards. Here is a list of cleaning supplies you will want to have on hand:

• Biodegradable soap 
• Sponge
• Microfibre cloth
• Collapsible wash bucket 
• Water jug 
• Trash bags

When cleaning, be thoughtful of the environment. Use a minimal amount of soap and ensure to dispose of grey water away from water sources (biodegradable soap needs the bacteria in the soil to break down).

Other Winter Camping Gear Essentials

On top of your sleeping gear and your clothes, these are a few other things you don’t want to forget to pack. Sure, these won’t necessarily help keep you warm, but they’re still crucial to a quality camping experience, so it would be a miss not to include them. 

• Camping chair
• Pocket knife
• Head lamp
• Flash light
• Lantern
• Extra batteries 
• Charger/battery pack 
• Axe
• Fire making essentials (wood, lighter, paper)
• First aid kit

Safely Navigating Snowy Landscapes

Winter camping can be an incredible experience, especially in the Pacific Northwest where there is a chance you might get snow. But with snow comes some safety concerns and when you’re out in the wilderness you want to make sure to stay safe from slips and falls. 

Understanding how to safely move through snow, recognizing weather conditions, and having the right gear are all essential parts of winter camping.

So, here are some things to think about when it comes to safely navigating snowy landscapes to ensure your winter camping experience is the adventure you’re seeking. 

1. Consider Your Vehicle 

Before making the trip out to your camping destination, ensure your vehicle is prepared to make the trip. On top of having winter tires and chains, you want to make sure your vehicle service is up-to-date. You also may need to consider whether or not 4 wheel drive is an asset for the location you are heading to.

My partner owns a Tesla which can be great for many of our summer camping adventures, but we have a truck specifically for camping as it gives us more freedom on where we can camp and when we can go. 

2. Proper Footwear

The right footwear can make all the difference when it comes to staying safe in snowy and icy conditions. Hiking boots are likely the best option for footwear. The most important things are that they have good traction and that they’re waterproof. You may also want to consider boots that are insulated, but with wool socks you could be okay with your regular hiking boots. 

For icy conditions, crampons are a great addition to help prevent falls. I was absolutely blown away by the difference these make. 

If you’re in an area where deeper snow is likely, you also may want to consider gaiters to prevent the snow from getting into your boots and getting your socks wet. Sure, they may look kind of dorky but they’re worth it for dry feet.  

If you’re planning on hiking, you may also want to consider trekking poles. 

My partner and I also have our own snowshoes, so when camping close to the mountains, like in Whistler, we always bring them along. 

3. Dress Appropriately for the Weather

As we mentioned above, dressing in layers is incredibly important to ensure you stay warm while camping in the winter. If you plan to go for day hikes from your campsite, layers are even more important because you want to make sure you can regulate your temperature. 

You will also want to bring a hiking backpack for your emergency equipment and those extra layers. When I am hiking I almost always take a few layers off, but I definitely need them when I get to my final destination. 

4. Plan Your Route

When leaving your campsite for a hike, ensure to plan your route, understand the terrain, and check the weather conditions. 

If you're close to the mountains, check local avalanche forecasts and be aware of high-risk areas. Avoid steep slopes and areas with loose, powdery snow if avalanche danger is high.

Ensure you have navigation and safety equipment on hand: map, GPS, compass, charging station (especially if you’re using your smartphone as a GPS), first aid kit, emergency blanket, headlamp, and batteries. 

5. Understand the Hazards

Snow can hide obstacles such as rocks, branches, or uneven ground. Always proceed cautiously:

• Test the snow: Use your trekking poles to probe ahead and check snow depth. This will help you avoid tripping over unseen obstacles or falling into deep snow drifts.
• Move slowly: Navigating through snow takes more effort and can be exhausting. Move at a slow, steady pace to avoid injury and reduce the risk of getting too tired.

6. Remember Hydration (& Calories)

If you’re adventuring away from your campsite, remember you will need to stay hydrated and keep your calories up. Bring your insulated water bottle and some healthy snacks like protein bars and trail mix. 

Another reason I bring my Jetboil is so that I can easily heat up a warm drink on these treks. 

Gear Checklist for Outdoor Trekking

• Proper footwear
• Warm layered clothing 
• Toque, scarf, gloves
• Trekking poles
• Crampons 
• Map, compass, GPS
• First aid kit 
• Emergency blanket
• Sunglasses (You will definitely want these if the sun is reflecting off the snow)
• Face sunscreen and lip balm

Get Outside and Stay Warm This Winter

Not sure if you're ready for cold weather winter camping but looking to convince yourself to get outside more this winter? Check out our Get Outside Winter Challenge from Jan 2024. While the challenge has ended, the article outlines the benefits of outdoor therapy to give you that little extra kick of motivation and many ideas for the activities you can do to get yourself outside. 

If you're from Vancouver, you'll likely have to come up with some of your own ideas because we don't get a lot of snow down here. But we'd love to see the ways you take on this challenge this winter. Share your outdoor adventures with us on social media. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that if you click through & make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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