How to Winter Camp

Adventures
Written By Andrea Ross

Ready to embrace the chill? Our expert panel of seasoned winter campers is here to guide you through the art of winter camping! From hot tenting to cold tenting and even hammocking, discover the best shelters, sleep systems, and essential clothing choices for staying warm and comfortable. Plus, learn how to care for your body in the cold. Don’t miss this chance to gear up for your winter adventures! ❄️✨

We’re excited to share that this is a charity event and all proceeds from our Winter Camping 101 session will benefit a Women's Shelter in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Join us not only to enhance your winter camping skills but also to support a meaningful cause. Together, we can make a difference while embracing the beauty of the outdoors! ❄️❤️

The session runs on Saturday, November 9th, at 3:30pm. Don’t forget to…

When Winter Camping…

This panel discussion will help you learn the following:

  • Clothing - What kinds of clothing do I need to keep warm?

  • Sleep systems - What do I need to keep warm sleeping outside?

  • Shelters - What kinds of shelters are there, and why might I choose one over the other?

  • Water - How do I get water? How do I make it safe to drink? And how do I keep it from freezing?

  • Food - What kind of food should I bring on a winter camping trip? How do I cook it?

  • Safety - What are some of the key risks I need to think about?

  • BONUS - What about Hot Tenting? What tools, clothing, skills do I need?

 

Sheila - Host and MC

Sheila is an intrepid explorer with a passion for visiting UNESCO world heritage sites around the globe. She has a deep love of the great outdoors, having camped in stunning locations from the deserts of the Southwestern United States to the rugged shores of Newfoundland. With decades of camping experience under her belt, including three years of winter camping, she brings a deep appreciation to her role as host and MC today. Beyond her outdoor pursuits, Sheila is a professional researcher and a dynamic DJ. She has been on CBC radio from coast to coast to coast multiple times. This year marks her third appearance at Freezing Woman, where she combines her love for adventure with her commitment to conservation. Join her as she and the panel of inspiring people help you learn about winter camping!

 

Camper Christina - Panelist

Camper Christina has been backcountry camping since 2002 and did her first winter camping trips in December of 2015.  She started in a yurt at Mew Lake in Algonquin Park with her mom for Christmas, and returned for New Years, sleeping in a summer tent with a space heater, and cooking and hanging out in her homemade tipi.  

Since then, Christina has created 3 homemade hot tents, all crafted out of painters drop cloth,  and has spent countless winter nights in them.  She has also cold camped on many of her adventures, without a heat source, and in 2021 she created an online course called Winter Camping for Beginners.  

Over the years, Christina has winter camped solo in the backcountry countless times, as well as with friends, camping in all types of weather conditions. She greatly enjoys sharing her experiences with others through her YouTube channel, and on her social media platforms. 

Where to find Christina:

 

ChristineCanoes - Panelist

Christine’s love for canoes started when she was 10. Driving through Algonquin Park she convinced her parents to buy her a camping pillow and shortly thereafter her dad’s friend lent her a solo canoe for the summer. 

As a young adult Christine guided whitewater rafts and taught whitewater kayaking on the Ottawa, the Deerfield in Massachusetts, and the Buller in New Zealand. She earned her canoe instructor certification and transitioned to teaching canoeing and guiding canoe trips part time.

Christine is not currently guiding or instructing but spends most of her free time outdoors in a kayak, a canoe, on a SUP, foot, cross country skis or snowshoes. Christine spends as many nights as she can in a hammock or a tent. She has started winter camping as an adult and is enjoying expanding her skill set with hot tents, cold tents and hot and cold hammock tents. Her bucket list trip is to spend a full year in Algonquin Park. 💜

 

Laura and Jeff - Panelists

Laura and her partner Jeff live in Sudbury, Ontario with their two kids and two dogs, and run Lure of the North Outfitters. They have been backcountry canoe camping most of their lives, but became interested in longer-distance winter travel and hot-tent camping over the past decade as a way to experience wilderness adventures year-round. Through courses and expeditions with Lure of the North and their own winter camping trips, they’ve embraced traditional methods of winter travel by wooden snowshoe and toboggan, with clothing made from natural, breathable materials that enable warm and comfortable living in the winter environment. Laura and Jeff are eager to share their experiences, and encourage others to realize their winter adventure dreams.

 

Vicky - Panelist

Ok…. I’m a 69 year old Mom and Nana who started backcountry camping, canoe tripping and winter camping at the age of 61. My first winter camping experience was at a local conservation area in a Woods nylon tent. Started out using reflectix and old comforters to augment my sleep system( a big, bulky canvas sleeping bag) and was immediately hooked! I’ve had a couple different canvas tents since then and now have my dream tent Snowtrekker and my sleep system is considerably more sophisticated.

 
Andrea Ross
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