The Trail Doesn’t Hibernate – Why Should You?

Lake Louise, photo taken by Madison Tait

Yes, You Can Hike in Winter – Here’s How, Because the Trail Doesn’t Close Just Because Pumpkin Spice Season Ends

When the temperatures drop and your friends go into full-on hibernation mode, swapping hiking boots for slippers and trail mix for hot cocoa, we’re here to remind you: you can absolutely still hike in winter—and dare we say, it might just be better than summer. No bugs. No crowds. Just fresh snow, crisp air, and the sound of your own boots crunching through solitude. Pure magic (and just a little frostbite risk, if you're not prepared).

Here’s how to do it without ending up as a search-and-rescue story.

🧊 Layer Like a Lasagna Winter hiking isn’t about piling on the puffiest jacket you own. It’s about layers: a moisture-wicking base (no cotton, unless you enjoy being cold and wet), an insulating mid-layer (hello, fleece or down), and a weatherproof outer shell. Bonus points for looking like a stylish backcountry burrito.

🧤 Your Gear Needs a Winter Glow-Up Summer shoes? Cute. Useless. For winter, go waterproof and insulated. Add microspikes or crampons for icy trails, and if you’re hiking in deeper snow, snowshoes are your new best friend. Trekking poles with snow baskets = instant mountain wizard. Oh, and bring hand warmers unless you want your fingers to stage a revolt.

🌨️ Check the Weather Like It’s Your Job We love spontaneity as much as the next dirtbag dreamer, but in winter? Not so much. Check forecasts, avalanche conditions (especially in the Rockies), and daylight hours. And remember: “partly cloudy” at the trailhead might mean “blizzard apocalypse” at the summit.

🧭 Shorter Days = Smarter Planning Start early. Winter hikes can take longer, especially with snow and gear. Plan for turnarounds well before dark and pack a headlamp even if you swear you’ll be back by lunch. (You won’t.)

🍲 Fuel the Furnace Your body burns more calories keeping warm, so feed it well. Bring calorie-dense snacks that won’t freeze solid—nuts, cheese, tortillas, chocolate (yes, chocolate is fuel). And stay hydrated. Cold weather dehydrates you sneakily. That CamelBak? It’s now a CamelBrink-of-Ice. Insulate it or bring a wide-mouth bottle.

🚻 Nature Still Calls (Yes, Even When It's -15°C) Plan your pee strategy. Snow banks are… versatile. Bring a Ziploc bag for toilet paper. No one wants to step on your frozen “leave behind.”

🧠 Bring the Right Mindset (and a Bit of Grit) Winter hiking is a mix of effort, beauty, and Type 2 fun. It's a slower pace, a quieter trail, and a chance to feel like you’ve entered a Narnia that requires thermal base layers. You’ll feel tougher, calmer, and wildly alive—especially when you’re sipping tea at the summit while your friends binge Netflix at home.

Want more help navigating winter’s wonderland without freezing your toes off? We’ve got just the thing: Tait’s Trails offers guided hikes in the Canadian Rockies year-round—yep, even in a snowstorm. Because nature doesn't close for the season, and neither do we.

For more great cold-weather hiking tips from experts who don’t sugarcoat it, check out this winter hiking gear checklist from CleverHiker.

So yes—you can hike in winter. Just dress like a pro, think like a scout, and pack snacks like a raccoon. You’ll come back cold, tired, and absolutely hooked.

See you on the snowy switchbacks.