Chase the Winter Blues Away: 4 Cheap Alternatives for Hikers in the Winter

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With the end of daylight savings time, we’re just weeks away from the start of the holiday season. It’s fair to say that winter is setting in. For people who love the outdoors, this can be a real bummer. Combining icy trails, freezing temperatures, and limited daylight is an easy formula for the winter blues. However, there are some alternatives for hikers in the winter.

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Here are the best ways to still get outdoors without spending a fortune:

Cold-Weather Hiking

hiking in the winter — *A hiker crossing a glacier. (Source: Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images)*

This may be a no-brainer, but in many places, you can still hike. As long as you’re not trapped in deep snow, there’s no reason you can’t layer up and get outside.

Start with layers, which usually begin with a base. From there, you can add jackets, snow pants, gloves, a hat, and more to keep you warm. Hopefully, you have a lot of this gear already to keep the price down. Additionally, traction for your feet is a great addition to help with slick trails. Finally, don’t forget a headlamp. Whether you’re starting early or late in the day, plan to be hiking in the dark.

Snowshoeing

Winter sports are expensive. Getting started downhill skiing or snowboarding is not cheap. However, a basic snowshoe setup may not be out of reach. Snowshoes allow you to travel in deeper snow, which would be a headache for hikers. Exploring the woods or mountains with snowshoes is an amazing way to see your favorite trails in a new way. It may even make you more appreciative of winter.

If you live in a mountainous area like Colorado or Washington, learn proper avalanche safety before going too far into the backcountry.

Cross-Country Skiing

While cross-country skiing isn’t really cheap, it’s a lot cheaper than backcountry or downhill skiing. Plus, with some luck, you may even find a great used pair of skis online.

Cross-country skiing allows you to travel through the snow, and in some areas, you’ll find nicely groomed trails that you can set your skis right into. This makes it easier to explore more of the outdoors at a faster speed than you’ll be able to hike or snowshoe through the snow. As with snowshoeing, be sure you’re avalanche-prepared.

Go Snow Tubing Until the Snow Melts

snow tubing destinations — *A man and a child snow tubing. (Source: Tatiana Maksimova / Getty Images)*

It’s not giving up if you’re still having fun. That’s why snow tubing made it onto a list of alternatives for hikers in the winter. You can simply snow tube until your mood improves. It shouldn’t take long.

Believe it or not, people are passionate enough about snow tubing to make an entire website dedicated to it. They’ve even ranked the best snow tube destinations, and you’ll find spots to go across the country.

So get out there and enjoy the winter weather while it’s here. In the meantime, make your 2024 hiking plans so you’re ready to go in the spring.

Source: https://outdoors.com/chase-the-winter-blues-away-4-cheap-alternatives-for-hikers-in-the-winter/