When the thermometer reads -20°F and the wind is howling, these skills could save your life
Most people think winter camping means dealing with temperatures in the 20s or maybe the teens. But true cold-weather camping—the kind you'll encounter in places like Alaska, northern Canada, or the high peaks of the Rockies in winter—operates by an entirely different set of rules. When temperatures drop below zero and keep falling, when the wind chill can literally freeze exposed skin in minutes, your knowledge and preparation become the difference between an epic adventure and a life-threatening situation.
Today, I'm going to share the essential skills I've learned from years of winter camping in Alaska's most unforgiving conditions. These aren't theoretical tips—they're battle-tested techniques that have kept me warm, safe, and alive when the mercury plummeted and the wilderness turned hostile.
Understanding the Reality of Extreme Cold
Before we dive into techniques, let's establish what we're dealing with. Winter camping in Alaska means sleeping outside in temperatures that can get down to approximately zero degrees or lower, where the cold ground can suck a huge amount of heat away from your body.
The Science of Survival
We have slept comfortably at -55 degrees and have helped many novice winter campers sleep comfortably at -40 degrees over the last decade. But comfort at these temperatures isn't about toughness—it's about understanding how your body loses heat and systematically addressing each pathway:
Conduction: Heat loss through direct contact with cold surfaces Convection: Heat loss through air movement Radiation: Heat loss through electromagnetic waves Evaporation: Heat loss through moisture leaving your body
Every technique we'll cover targets one or more of these heat loss mechanisms.
The Foundation: Your Sleep System
In extreme cold, your sleep system isn't just about comfort—it's about survival. Having dry gear = having warm gear. Any wet or damp clothes, stick them in your bag (unless they're soaking cold) and let your body heat dry them out at night.
Sleeping Bag Selection and Use
Temperature Ratings Reality Check: Many companies advertise the lower limit for safe use, NOT the lower limit for comfort. Many 0°F bags are only rated to comfort limits in the teens, meaning that you may not get hypothermia in zero degrees, but you may find yourself shivering through the night.
The 20-Degree Rule: A common rule of thumb is to buy a bag that's rated about 20 degrees lower than the temperatures you will regularly experience. For Alaska winter camping, this means looking at bags rated to -20°F or lower.
Proper Sleep Technique: Learn to sleep bundled up. The biggest mistake people make is expecting a sleeping bag will keep you warm down to its rated temperature if you leave it half open. Hunker down; zip it all the way up, velcro the collar and flaps closed, tighten down your collar cords and leave as little space as possible for your face.
The Two-Bag System
If it is 0 degrees we can sleep comfortably with just one bag; if it is 40 below zero we can be fully ensconced in both bags. Two bags allow us to regulate our temperature easily.
System Setup:
- Inner bag: High-quality down bag (your primary insulation)
- Outer bag: Synthetic bag (moisture protection)
- We prefer to use a down inner with a synthetic outer bag because any moisture that our body gives off overnight will pass through the down bag and freeze in the outer bag, rather than freezing in the down bag
Ground Insulation: Your First Line of Defense
The cold ground can suck a huge amount of heat away from your body. As the temperature drops, the insulation your sleeping pad provides is critical. In the winter, we typically use a closed cell foam pad with an insulated, inflatable pad on top.
Layering Strategy:
- Closed-cell foam pad: Primary insulation barrier
- Insulated air pad: Comfort and additional R-value
- Additional insulation: In extreme conditions, add extra blankets or rugs
An R-value refers to the ability of an insulated material to resist the conductive flow of heat. The higher the R-value rating, the more effective a sleeping pad is at thermal insulation.
Shelter: Your Fortress Against the Elements
Tent Selection and Setup
A typical 3-season backpacking tent can work if you're making camp below tree line and you're not anticipating especially stormy weather. For high winds and heavy snowfall, a 4-season tent is recommended.
4-Season Tent Advantages:
- 4-season tents have sturdier poles and heavier fabrics than 3-season tents so they can withstand powerful gusts of wind and heavy snow loads
- They also have less mesh and the rainflys extend close to the ground to keep swirling snow from getting inside
- You'll want some extra space. It's a good idea to get a tent that has room for one more person than will be sleeping in it
Advanced Insulation Techniques
The Tarp Method: All you need is one tarp (8x10ft) that fits over your tent just like a rain fly would on any other season. This will cover what's underneath so you don't have to worry about snow getting into your tent or anything else wet happening.
Snow Wall Construction: Snow walls are a great way to combat the cold winter winds and enjoy insulated tent camping. If you are camping in a location with lots of snow, you can use it to your advantage and build a snow wall. It doesn't have to be too big - 4 or 5 feet is good enough.
Natural Insulation: Snow is a fantastic natural insulator, and this trick can make a huge difference in keeping the wind and cold at bay.
Site Selection Strategy
When you reach your destination for the day, rather than immediately unpacking, take some time to find the right camp spot. Look for wind protection: A natural wind block, like a group of trees or a hill, can make your experience more comfortable.
Key Considerations:
- Avalanche risk assessment
- Natural windbreaks
- Water source proximity
- Drainage (avoid low spots where cold air settles)
Clothing and Layering: Your Personal Heating System
The Alaskan Approach
Alaskans have a proverb: There's no such thing as cold weather—only cold clothing! So don't be afraid of chilly or even frigid temperatures.
Base Layer Fundamentals: Wear a light- to mid-weight wool or synthetic base layer that fits snugly to your body. Absolutely no cotton!
Layering Strategy: Wearing several layers is the best way to trap heat close to your body. Two (or more) thinner layers will be much warmer than a single heavier layer of similar bulk
Sleep Clothing Technique
All your clothing should be bone dry when you hit the sack. Keeping a second set of long underwear to sleep in and a thick pair of clean, dry socks is very helpful.
The Four Universal Factors:
- Bone dry clothing when sleeping
- Breathable materials to prevent moisture buildup
- Even layering to avoid hot spots and cold spots
- Extremity protection with quality socks and accessories
Temperature Regulation
Don't get too hot. The biggest threat to Alaska winter comfort during activities might not be shivering with chattering teeth. It's overheating!
Management Strategy:
- Start slightly cold at the trailhead
- Adjust layers as activity level changes
- Carrying a backpack or satchel can be helpful for stowing these unused layers while underway
Food and Hydration: Fueling Your Internal Furnace
High-Energy Nutrition
You can be a health food addict during the week, but when you do activities outdoors in cold weather, those rules get thrown out the window. It's more about getting the calories and fat that you need rather than healthy eating.
Strategic Food Choices:
- Village-style dry fish and salmon strips are the perfect combination of oily, flaky, and satisfying protein for winter
- High-fat options: Bacon, jerky, nuts, and cheese
- Complex carbohydrates: Pasta, bread, and energy bars
- Emergency calories: Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies are failsafe
Hydration Strategies
Plenty of fresh, pure water is essential during winter camping — as much as one gallon per person per day.
Water Management:
- Snow is mostly air, so you will need to replenish this pot more often than you expect
- Purification: Decant the melted water through a coffee cone with a paper filter or paper towel into your water bottles
- Keeping warm: Store water bottles in your sleeping bag to prevent freezing
Essential Gear and Equipment
Stove Selection
Most liquid-fuel stoves and some canister stoves are good options for winter camping. Liquid-fuel stoves run on white gas, which burns hot and clean and performs well in below-freezing temperatures.
Canister Stove Considerations: If you decide you want to use a canister stove for winter camping, make sure it has a built-in pressure regulator. In cold weather, canisters can depressurize and produce a weak flame.
Emergency Items
Hot Water Bottles: Some folks will recommend using a Nalgene bottle (or similar) filled with hot or warm water in your bag. it'll definitely help add some heat, but you REALLY want to make sure the lid is screwed on tight.
First Aid Considerations: Put a roll of gauze, a roll of first aid tape, bandage strips and a tube of antibiotic ointment into a quart plastic freezer bag.
Safety Protocols and Emergency Preparedness
Recognition of Hypothermia
Early signs include:
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion or poor judgment
- Slurred speech
Emergency Warmth Techniques
Body-to-body warming is certainly effective for staying warm in cold-weather conditions and for preventing heat loss.
Heat Management:
- Don't go to bed cold. Most of all, have fun, and travel safe
- Emergency calories: Keep high-energy snacks immediately accessible
- Hydration: If you have to pee; go pee. Holding it in will make you colder
Communication and Rescue
Always carry:
- Emergency communication device (satellite messenger)
- Emergency shelter (space blanket, bivy)
- Fire starting materials (waterproof matches, lighter)
- Signaling devices (whistle, mirror)
Mental Preparation and Mindset
Embracing the Challenge
Cold is relative and has more to do with what you are used to and what you are prepared for than the actual temperature.
Building Confidence:
- Start with shorter trips in less extreme conditions
- Practice techniques in controlled environments
- Learn from experienced cold-weather campers
- Remember, it gets easier with practice, learn from your mistakes, and don't let a cold night or two deter you
Continuous Learning
Even after hundreds of nights sleeping out in the cold, I still don't always get a good night's sleep. Sometimes you layer wrong, drink too much, don't eat enough, or flub the ever-changing recipe.
Putting It All Together
Extreme cold camping in places like Alaska isn't about proving how tough you are—it's about systematic preparation, proper gear, and tested techniques. Every element of your system needs to work together: your sleep system, shelter, clothing, nutrition, and mental preparation.
The skills I've shared here have been tested in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. They're not theoretical—they're practical, life-saving techniques that work when the mercury drops and the wind howls.
Your Action Plan
- Start Progressive: Begin with cold-weather camping in milder conditions
- Test Your System: Practice all techniques before heading into extreme conditions
- Build Redundancy: Have backup plans for warmth, shelter, and safety
- Stay Informed: Check weather forecasts and have emergency communication
- Know Your Limits: There's no shame in calling off a trip if conditions exceed your preparation
Remember the Fundamentals
- Your sleep system is your life support
- Dry equals warm
- Layer strategically and adjust constantly
- Eat fat and calories, not health food
- Stay hydrated but manage water carefully
- Build shelter that works with, not against, the environment
- Always have an emergency plan
Alaska's winter wilderness is unforgiving, but with proper preparation and these essential skills, you can not only survive but thrive in conditions that would challenge even experienced outdoor enthusiasts. The key is respect—respect for the environment, respect for the cold, and respect for the skills that keep you safe.
The northern lights dancing across a star-filled sky, the profound silence of a snow-covered wilderness, the satisfaction of mastering one of nature's greatest challenges—these are the rewards waiting for those bold enough to venture into the extreme cold, armed with knowledge and properly prepared.
Stay warm, stay safe, and never stop exploring.
Have you experienced extreme cold camping? What techniques have worked for you? Share your stories and tips in the comments below—your experience could help another adventurer stay safe in the cold!