So, how can you remain warm while camping on a freezing winter night? Here are a few tips to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable.
Clear the Area
The ground you choose will have a considerable impact on your level of comfort even before you pitch your tent. While winter camping, the same regulations apply. Choose a flat location that is neither too close nor too far from the sea, and that is as far away from the breeze as feasible.
If you plan to camp in the snow, you must first clear the snow. If you pitch your tent on top of the snow, it may melt. It will re-freeze regularly, generating unpleasant bumps and ridges that will leave a knot in your back by morning. This can be prevented if your campground is well cleared of snow ahead of time.
Build a Windbreak
One benefit of snow camping is that you will already have a lot of snow to utilize as a windbreak. Pile this snow upwind of your tent and push other snow into the location to create a shallow wall a few feet in front of your tent. Because wind is a major source of heat loss throughout the winter, this can help you stay warm.
There is no need to camp without a windbreak even if there is no snow on the ground. A common option is to simply use a natural feature, such as a clump of plants, a fallen tree, or even a mound of rocks, as a windbreak. This is an essential practice for any camping trip, but it becomes much more important as the temperature drops.
Another popular choice is to bring a heavy-duty tarp and a thick rope. Secure the tarp between two trees upwind of your tent with the rope. The tarp will act as a robust windbreak, outperforming most natural windbreaks. This is why a heavy-duty tarp is required; you want the most durable grommets possible.
The tent must be weatherproof throughout the winter.
Because four-season tents can be expensive, most individuals choose a three-season tent that is intended for spring through summer conditions. If this describes you, you have a couple of options. The most obvious answer is to get a four-season or winter-rated tent, but this may be expensive, especially if you only plan on going winter camping once or twice.
A tarp can also be placed beneath the tent to help with ground insulation. When using this method, ensure that the tarp does not extend beyond the tent's edges. Otherwise, snow will build up on the tarp, melt, and seep beneath your tent.
Using duct tape to link a space blanket to the inside of the canopy is an efficient way to improve insulation in the walls of your tent. This will trap a lot of heat when used as an inner layer. Remember that if your tent is already rated for extremely cold temperatures, this is probably not a smart idea. In that case, draping a space blanket over you may keep you excessively warm.
Invest in a Tent Heater
A good propane or electric tent heater will keep your toes warm. If you plan to use a heater, keep in mind that most gas heaters are not designed to be used inside a tent. If they overheat or tip over, they can catch fire. They can also produce carbon monoxide gas, which can quickly accumulate in a confined space such as a tent and cause death.
A dedicated tent warmer, on the other hand, can considerably improve your comfort. This type of heater has a carbon monoxide sensor that shuts it down if any fumes are emitted. Similarly, if the heater is pushed over, it will turn off, so you are completely safe for overnight use.
Choose a Warm Sleeping Bag
It goes without saying that wearing a 40-degree bag in 10-degree weather is not a good idea. You'll be considerably more comfortable in the morning if you choose a heavy-duty, well-insulated sleeping bag. The best winter bags will often have a form that fits perfectly and a shape that is cut to resemble a human figure. This profile saves energy because you won't be wasting it warming up an overly huge rectangular sleeping bag.