Winter Camping for Beginners

Your First Winter Hiking Adventure

Easier Than You Might Think

For many participants in High Coast Winter Hike, it’s their first time camping in the snow. And while spending a night outdoors in the Swedish winter might sound like a big challenge, the basics are surprisingly straightforward.

If you’ve been camping before, much of it will already feel familiar. The main differences are paying extra attention to insulation, keeping your gear dry, and staying warm when you’re not moving.

The essentials are simple: a sleeping bag and sleeping mat designed for cold temperatures, dry clothes to sleep in, and a tent suitable for winter conditions.

Your Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Mat Make All the Difference

One of the keys to a comfortable night of winter camping is staying warm while you sleep.

Choose a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature rating suitable for the conditions you might encounter. Just as important is a well-insulated sleeping mat, as the cold ground can quickly draw heat away from your body.

A great tip is to combine a closed-cell foam mat with an insulated inflatable sleeping mat. This gives you both extra comfort and protection from the cold ground.

With the right equipment, there’s something incredibly cosy about curling up in your sleeping bag, listening to the winter wind outside your tent, and knowing you’re spending the night in the heart of the Swedish wilderness.

Dry Clothes Keep You Warm

After a day of hiking through the snow, there’s nothing better than changing into a fresh, dry base layer before slipping into your sleeping bag. Pack an extra set of thermal underwear and a pair of warm, dry socks in a waterproof bag, and save them exclusively for sleeping.

Avoid getting into your sleeping bag wearing damp hiking clothes. It’s also important to keep your tent properly ventilated to prevent moisture from building up overnight.

These are small, simple habits that can make a big difference to your comfort during a night in the Swedish winter wilderness.

Create Your Own Little Home in the Snow

There’s something special about pitching your tent in the middle of a snow-covered landscape and creating your own cosy little retreat.

During Expedition, we set up a shared basecamp at Camp Kälsviken, where we spend two nights surrounded by the Swedish winter wilderness. You’ll learn how to choose and prepare a suitable campsite, pack down the snow, and securely anchor your tent.

We recommend practising setting up your tent at home before the adventure. It makes everything much easier once you’re out in the snow.

And here’s a little tip: bring a small battery-powered tent lantern or string of fairy lights. They take up hardly any space but can make your tent feel surprisingly cosy when darkness falls.

Campfires and Cosy Winter Evenings

As darkness falls, we gather around the campfires at our shared basecamp. Some prepare a warm meal, others share stories from the day’s adventures, while a few simply sit back and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Swedish wilderness.

It’s surprising how quickly a winter campsite can start to feel like home.

On Friday evening, we’re also joined by our Discovery participants, who visit the basecamp for a shared dinner around the fire. And as the evening comes to an end, your warm sleeping bag awaits, along with another unforgettable night beneath the Swedish winter sky.

Two Ways to Experience Winter Camping

At High Coast Winter Hike, there are two ways to experience the magic of sleeping outdoors in the Swedish winter.

Expedition is for those who want to experience a true winter basecamp in the wilderness. We spend two nights at Camp Kälsviken, surrounded by snow-covered forests and the peaceful beauty of nature. Your tent and sleeping equipment are transported to basecamp, allowing you to enjoy the hikes with a lighter backpack. If you choose Expedition Raw, you’ll carry all your own equipment instead.

Discovery is perfect for those who want to combine exciting days of winter hiking with the comfort of staying at FriluftsByn. Most participants choose to stay in a cosy cabin, but camping in your own tent is also an option. You’ll have easy access to showers, toilets, meals, and warm communal spaces.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to discover just how special it can be to spend a night outdoors during the Swedish winter.

For many, it’s the combination of preparing for their own adventure and sharing experiences with fellow hikers that makes High Coast Winter Hike such a wonderful introduction to winter camping.