How To: Sleep in the Snow

It’s snow much fun to sleep outside in the wintertime. Here are a few tips to keep you toasty all night long.

Fuel Up

Your body is like a furnace. To help it generate heat, keep it fueled up. Eat energy-rich meals and lots of snacks. Gobbling down a granola bar or a handful of nuts right before bedtime will ensure your furnace burns hot all through the night. Keep a leakproof thermos of hot cocoa near your bed. If you wake up chilly, sipping a cup will warm you up from the inside out.

Pitch a Tent

Believe it or not, some folks sleep outside in winter with just a roof of stars over their heads. There aren’t bitey bugs buzzing about, so why not? If you’re new to winter camping, however, try a tent. It will block cold wind and help hold in heat. Remember to take off your boots before you crawl inside so you don’t track in snow.

Build Your Bed

In winter, cold creeps in from all sides, even the ground below. A thick foam pad will protect you from lumpy rocks and keep you warm. Place an insulated air mattress over the pad for extra comfort and coziness. Finally, roll out your sleeping bag over both pads. Choose a mummy-style bag that’s rated colder than the temperature you’ll be sleeping in.

Dress for Success

Your pj’s should be made of wool or a synthetic material like polyester or polypropylene. Don’t wear cotton jammies! They soak up sweat and hold it against your skin, which will make you chilly in the middle of the night. Before going to bed, pull on a dry pair of wool socks. Your head leaks lots of heat, so veteran winter campers usually sleep in a stocking cap.

Last but Not Least

No one wants to wiggle out of a warm sleeping bag and wander into the cold to use the bathroom. So hit the woods before you hit the sack.