Have you ever tried to ski in the summer? If so, you know how annoying it can be when the snow melts and the ski tracks disappear. That’s when you realize that you’re not actually wearing any skis, and you have to find a way to strap on a pair of boots before heading down the mountain. Since then, many people have tried to find an easier way to enjoy the ski experience. That’s when they invented snowboarding. But even in the winter, not all ski resorts are welcoming to people who don’t ski professionally. There are plenty of places where you’ll struggle to find any other form of accommodation than a tent or a camper. For those who live in the UK, there is another option: snow camping.
What is snow camping, you might ask? Essentially, it’s going to a ski resort and spending the night in a snow igloo or a snow cave. While it might sound like an idyllic pastime, it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Here’s how you can prepare for and survive a day of snow camping, whether you’ve done it a few times or it’s your first time ever.
Table of Contents
Choosing The Right Location
With any camping/backpacking trip, your first priority should be to pick a good location. Whether you’re in the UK or another country, you’ll want to make sure that the weather is on your side and that you’re not going to be cold or wet. Another important factor is to check if the location allows pets or whether you have to bring your own dog.
After you’ve picked your location, it’s time to move on to selecting the right equipment. You don’t need a lot of expensive gear to camp in the snow. For the UK market, you don’t need a tent, just a sleeping mat and a sleeping bag. If you don’t have one, you can buy a cheap one from an outdoor store. What you need are some paracord to make a decent sleeping cot, a cooking pot, a bottle/can opener, a whistle, a torch, a cooking gas canister, a small shovel, a matronly figure to keep an eye on your stuff and supplies to cook your food.
Organizing Your Trip
Once you have the location and the equipment sorted, it’s time to start organizing your trip. This is where you put in the hard work that will enable you to have a good time. You can start by making a list of everything you need and want for the trip. This could include things such as a sleeping mat, sleeping bag, paracord, an ice axe, a snow shovel, a kayak, etc. Remember, this is your list, and it’s what you’ll be using throughout the trip. Once you’ve made the list, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Making The Beds
One of the most important things to do before you start camping is to make your bed. You can use whatever you have available for a bed, whether it’s a sleeping mat or small sleeping bags laid side by side. You can also use newspapers or cardboard to make a flat surface. What you want to avoid are sleeping surfaces that are too hard or too soft because these are the type of surfaces that cause you to struggle with sleep. When you have a hard surface underneath you, it tends to keep you awake because it’s easier for your body to bounce than it is for your mind to relax. So make sure that your bedding is thick and fluffy and consists of a firm foundation with a few layers of feathers or down. Remember, your bedding should be thick, so even if it gets a bit chilly at night, it’ll still feel like a cosy and comfortable bed and not like a bag of feathers that’s been stuffed with a duvet.
Stocking Up On Supplies
Once you’ve made your beds and filled them with some of your precious belongings, it’s time to start stocking up on supplies. One option is to buy freeze-dried food, which can be stored and cooked using a camp stove. Another option is to bring along a small portable stove, which is great for both camping and hiking. You can also buy supplies at the local supermarket to save you having to cook meals over a fire.
In the UK, you can buy gear that will help you survive the camping experience, such as a sleeping mat, sleeping bag, paracord, and an ice axe. If you’re on a tight budget, you can also find alternative options such as trekking poles or a walking stick to act as a third leg. Another option is to borrow gear from friends or family. If you decide to snow camp in the summer, try to avoid spots that are close to the road. The noise made by passing cars will keep you awake at night, and you don’t want to ruin your trip by being constantly bothered by loud noises.
Checking The Weather
Although you live in a temperate country, you still have to be aware of the weather conditions in your chosen location. When you’re camping, the weather is something you need to watch out for because bad weather can ruin your trip. In the UK, it’s important to check the weather not only at the seaside but also in the mountains because the weather can be quite different there. Luckily, most of the time you’ll find that the weather is accommodating, and you can have a good time camping. Still, don’t expect perfection because, after all, it’s Britain and sometimes the weather can be moody. So take your raincoat and umbrella and check the forecast before setting off on your adventure. If you go hiking during thunderstorms, you’ll find it easier to get wet and cold, so take care not to expose yourself to bad weather. Remember to keep the safety of yourself and your gear as your first priority, and do your best to stay dry and warm.
Packing
Now that you’re finally ready to go camping, it’s time to start packing. Before you start packing, it’s important to make a list of everything you need. This will make the process much easier. Make sure to bring things such as your sleeping mat, sleeping bag, paracord, an ice axe, a whistle, a torch, a cooking gas canister, a small shovel, a matronly figure, and supplies for cooking your meals. This is a basic list, and it doesn’t include everything you might need. Depending on where you are and what you’re doing, you might also need a fishing rod, a compass, a whistle for birds, a first aid kit, a small backpack or a handbag.
When you start packing, pack your sleeping mat and sleeping bag first. These are your two most important pieces of gear, and they’ll form the basis of your bed. If you have a kayak, pack it and put the paddle in the front. This will prevent the kayak from being damaged when you’re carrying it. Another important thing to do is to pack your cooking pot and fuel canister. If you happen to be using fuel cans, make sure that they’re empty and clean. These will be the items you use to cook your meals, so take care when packing and separating these items. It’s also important to pack your torch and extra batteries as well as spares for the fan that cools your sleeping mat. As for the other items, you can find out what’s necessary during the trip and rely on your instincts.
Sleeping
The most important thing to do when you get to your campsite is to make your beds and go to sleep. You might be driven by urges to do things like eat, drink, and make a fire to keep warm. But these are all the things that can wait until morning. The last thing you want to do is spend your night on a chilly sleeping mat or in a sleeping bag that’s turned into a sauna. So make sure to drop your stuff, make your bed, and go to sleep. You’ll wake up in the morning refreshed and ready to tackle the day. It’s also important to wash your hands frequently to reduce the chances of catching an infection. You can dry your hands on a towel after using the toilet. This is especially important if you’re going to be in contact with water sources such as rivers or lakes. After your hands have been cleaned, use some hand sanitiser to bring along some scent.