Winter camping for beginners: your first night in the snow

HikingStore |10/11, 2026

Winter tent in a quiet, snow-covered spot by a forest – a safe environment to practice winter camping

The difference between summer camping and winter camping is smaller than many people think. But two things really change: the ground and the air. The snow and frozen ground cool you from below, and the cold ground is often what makes you freeze. Cold, dry air also causes you to lose moisture through your breathing, while your breath adds moisture to the tent.

That's why a sleeping system that suits the conditions and has good ventilation is more important than a more expensive tent. Your first night in the snow doesn't have to be an expedition. Think of it as a practice run close to home: get to know the equipment and routines before you venture further afield.

Start in the backyard – not in the mountains

Choose a night at home, in your own garden or in an easily accessible place where you are allowed to be. The point is to be able to try out sleeping bags, sleeping mats, tents and clothes in controlled conditions – with the option to go inside if something doesn't work.

When the night close to home feels manageable, the next step can be a simple overnight stay a short distance away, preferably by car or a short way back as a safety margin. Choose a calm forecast. The first attempt does not need to involve mountain winds, heavy packing or a long day of hiking.

The same principle applies here as in our article aboutstarting hiking without buying a lot of equipment : try before you invest. Borrow or use what you already have, and then write down what worked and what you missed.

Build the sleep system from the bottom up

The temperature rating of a sleeping bag assumes that the sleeping pad is properly insulated. When you lie down, the sleeping bag's insulation is compressed under your body. It cannot therefore replace the insulation between you and the snow. If the pad is too thin, the cold ground can interfere with sleep and recovery, even if the sleeping bag seems warm enough.

A common guideline for winter camping is to use two sleeping pads: foam plastic underneath and an inflatable pad on top. The combination provides extra insulation and a backup layer in case the inflatable one should puncture. The Swedish Outdoor Promotion Association often recommends an R-value of at least 5 for winter use and describes the benefits of combining pads. Read more in our guide on how to choose the right R-value for your sleeping pad .

Cellulose plastic mat and inflatable sleeping pad in layers in a winter tent

The warmth of a sleeping bag doesn’t just depend on the type of insulation. The quality and fill weight of the down also affect how much insulating air the sleeping bag can retain. Our guide to down in sleeping bags goes into more detail about these factors. A sleeping bag with a higher comfort temperature can provide a greater margin during a cold night, but it also tends to weigh more. Adjust your choice according to the expected temperature, the length of the trip and your experience sleeping outdoors in the cold.

Sleep in dry wool or synthetic clothing. Cotton absorbs moisture and dries slowly, making it a poor choice for sleeping in the cold. Keep your day clothes and nightwear separate: change into a dry base layer when you get to camp, rather than crawling into what you sweated in during the hike.

Dry sleeping bag laid out on an insulating sleeping pad in a winter tent

Set up the tent on snow and check it again.

Winter camping requires that the tent can withstand the expected snow load and wind. Anchoring in snow is different from anchoring on bare ground: use snow anchors or suitable snow pegs. In looser snow, a peg can be buried across the line pull, according to the manufacturer's instructions. A low snow bank can provide shelter, but must not cover the tent's vents.

Tamp down the snow where the tent will be placed so that the ground is even and stable. Tent fabric and ropes can settle overnight, so check the tension again after the tent has been standing for a while. Keep the ventilation free of drifting snow.

The first night should not be a stormy night. Check the forecast, wind and temperature and wait if conditions look bad. Our guide to winter tents that can withstand snow and wind goes into winter anchoring in more detail. For differences between the designs, also read Tunnel tent or dome tent – which is right for your hike? .

Safety starts before you set up camp

Never use a stove or other combustion-based heat source in a closed tent – not even with the vents open. Combustion can produce carbon monoxide, an odorless and dangerous gas. Cook outdoors safely and always follow the stove's instructions. Read more in our article about stoves in the cold and why gas can fail .

Always leave a travel message for a friend or relative. Tell them where you will be, what your schedule is and who to contact if you do not hear from them by the agreed time. Mobile coverage may be lacking in both forests and mountains. Fully charge your phone, bring a power bank and find out where the nearest road or building is.

Check the weather forecast, temperature and wind before you set off. Be prepared to cancel if the weather changes or your equipment doesn't work as expected. Turning around or going home is a good safety decision, not a failure.

The right of public access gives you the opportunity to spend the night in nature, but you need to be considerate and check local regulations. Protected areas may have their own regulations about where you can camp. Read the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's information about the right of public access and our quick guide to the right of public access .

Dress for movement – change when you stop

Dress in layers of wool or synthetics closest to your body. These materials help keep you drier than cotton when you move. Adjust your layers before you start to sweat: open your jacket, remove a midlayer, or slow down. It's better to evaporate a little and turn around in time than to get wet and cold.

When you get to camp, change into dry clothes instead of sitting in what you were hiking in. Hats and gloves are two of the most underrated winter essentials. Have a dry pair for the night and warm clothes close at hand when you stop. The article on winter hiking gear has a broader overview of the clothing system.

Warm food and drinks help the body

The body uses energy to stay warm, so hot food and drinks are part of the winter routine. A thermos of hot drinks is an easy way to have something warm close at hand. Also, plan your cooking for the cold: water can freeze, snow needs to be melted, and the kitchen may work differently than you're used to.

Don't expect to use snow as water without melting and boiling it. If you start with water from a thermos, it is often easier to speed up the snowmelt. Choose a simple meal you have tried before and make sure you have fuel for food, drink and the amount of water you need. The emergency kitchen article above goes into more detail about gas stoves in the cold.

Hot drink in mug by a tent in a quiet winter forest

First night checklist

Try setting up the tent at home, preferably with gloves on.
Check the forecast, wind and temperature before starting.
Pack dry sleeping clothes, an extra hat and warm gloves.
Bring a thermos of hot drinks.
Leave a travel message with location, schedule and contact person.
If you sleep on the ground: bring foam plastic mats and an inflatable sleeping pad.
Decide in advance how you will cancel if the weather changes or something doesn't work.

Practice close to home – and build from there

The best tip for winter camping is not to buy more expensive equipment. It's to practice. Start in a place where you can easily break down, get to know the sleeping system and try the routines in calm weather. An evening coffee at a nearby lakeshore, a night close to home and a clear plan for breaking down will go a long way to making your first attempt safer.

When you want to delve deeper into what makes winter camping safe, you can move on to our article on winter tents and preparing for snow and wind. The goal is not to survive minus 30. It's to build a sleeping system and a routine that works on your trip – even when the weather changes.