When you think about outdoor winter adventures, what comes to mind? Is it racing down the slopes on skis or a snowboard or strapping on some snowshoes? Or, maybe you think that most outdoor activities have to come to an end when snow falls, except maybe building a snowman or making some snow angels.
With a little preparation, you can still enjoy many of the same outdoor activities all winter long, even in the snow. If you’re planning a national park tour with Utah Luxury Tours, this includes hiking.
From the towering peak of Angels Landing to the scenic mountain lake loops in Grand Teton, there are plenty of incredible hiking trails you can enjoy during your tour that are even more beautiful this time of year.
But with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, there are a few extra precautions that you’ll want to take before you hit the trails. Keep reading to learn what you need to know to prepare for a winter hike.
Dress in Layers
The best way to prepare for a winter hike is to dress in layers. Wearing layers that you can easily add or remove will allow you to adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day. Start your hike with a warm thermal base layer, an insulating middle layer, and a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Then, as temperatures rise and you get your heart pumping on the trail, you can shed a layer or two to stay comfortable.
When you’re choosing what layers to wear, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, skip the cotton. While it might be comfortable for lounging around your hotel at the end of a long day, it can leave you cold on the trail. That’s because cotton traps moisture and dries slowly, leaving moisture from your sweat, rain, or snow trapped against your skin.
Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid wearing anything too tight.
Thermal base layers, gloves, boots, and even your wristwatch band that are too tight can cut off circulation to your extremities. Without proper circulation, your hands, feet, legs, and arms may lose heat quickly. Besides being uncomfortable, this can also increase your likelihood of developing frostbite.
Pack a Flashlight
Most national parks remain open 24 hours a day all year long. But the days will look very different if you plan a visit during the winter months instead of the summer.
Winter means fewer hours of daily sunlight, which means less time to spend on the trails. Your guide will help ensure that you’re off the trails before it gets too dark. But having a flashlight along might help you feel more confident on the trails if you’re hiking early or late in the day. A headlamp will allow you to keep your hands free while still lighting the way.
Don’t Skip the Sunscreen
Night may fall faster during the winter months than it does in the summer, but that doesn’t mean that mid-day sunshine can’t leave you with a sunburn.
If you think that you don’t need sunscreen on a cloudy winter day, think again. UV rays can still penetrate through overcast skies. And for every thousand feet of elevation above sea level you climb, the amount of UV radiation your skin is exposed to increases by 5 percent.
Keep up your sunscreen habit even after the sunny summer months are over. In fact, you’ll need to reapply sunscreen more often in the winter, as snow and strong winds may cause sunscreen to wear away faster and lose its effectiveness, leaving you exposed to harmful radiation.
Keep Your Plans Flexible
When hiking in a national park that experiences winter weather, one of the best things that you can do is keep your plans flexible. While it’s great to have some ideas of trails you’d like to hike during your tour, staying flexible and listening to your guide can help you enjoy a safe, fun visit.
Your luxury tour guide will check trail conditions before you start hiking and may recommend changing your plans if the trail could be dangerous due to the weather conditions. Don’t fret; our guides are experts on the parks that you’ll be exploring, and will make sure that your backup plans are just as fun and memorable!
Preparing for Your Winter National Park Adventure
Just because winter is here doesn’t mean that the exploring has to end. The same national parks that you love during the summer months are just as enjoyable in the winter. In fact, with fewer crowds and the chance to see your favorite park turn into a sparkling wonderland, everyone should have a winter national park adventure on their bucket list.
Utah Luxury Tours can help you explore some of the country’s best national parks any time of year. Private tours can be customized to suit the season. We even offer some special tours designed with winter in mind. If you’re ready to start planning a cold-weather adventure, check out our Winter in Wyoming Tour.
