Brrr...it’s cold out there. The winter snow and that cold wind blowing from the north is enough to shiver Sasquatch to his bones. Being cold is no fun and not being prepared is even worse. Being able to keep yourself alive in a cold environment is important for any outdoor adventuresome person.

We have come up with the 5 best winter survival tips that could be the key to your next outdoor winter and cold environment excursion. You never know when that vehicle won’t start or when you get turned around and lost. Even though that stuff never happens to us, right?

Photo by N A I T

1. Dress properly in the first place, silly.
One of the most foolish things any person can do when heading out for a winter or cold environment adventure is not being prepared when it comes to clothing. If you’re going snowshoeing or cross country skiing in the back county then don’t be going out without a good base layer , hat and gloves, boots, and everything else.

Being unprepared in your clothing will probably kill you faster then anything else if you end up alone, cold, and lost in the woods in the deep of winter.

Thick and warm layers of clothes will go along ways in helping you make it though the night, which is just what you need. If the wind and cold can cut though you before you even get a chance to get settled in, you’re probably a goner.

2. Keep your core warm.
Your core and vital organs are the first thing your body will start to protect if you are in a bad situation. Getting into the fetal position or wrapping up with leaves, branches, Sasquatch, or any extra material around your midsection is going to be key to making it though any cold ordeal.

No one likes to have cold fingers and toes, but that is a far better option then having the core temperature of your body drop too low. Your core is... well, your core. If you want your body and your “insides” to keep working, then keeping your core as warm as possible is key. A few sit ups might not even be a bad idea. This is also where the proper clothing argument comes in, if not properly prepared your core temperature will drop like rock.

3. Build a proper shelter.
You were never in boy scouts? Then you probably better do some research and figure out and memorize a few basic shelter designs. Knowing how to build a basic shelter could be a matter of life or death when stuck in the great outdoors in the cold winter.

A shelter is going to trap some heat, protect you from the elements, and give you a mental boost that could make all the difference in the world.

Knowing how to build a basic show shelter is also a must. When you know basic facts like cold air drops, and digging a trench next to where you lay allowing the cold air to drop below you is something everyone should know.

Also, knowing how to build a basic lean-to shelter, a tee-pee, and numerous other designs will allow you to make a survival shelter that will best fit the environment and conditions giving you the best chance for surviving a cold winter night. If the caveman needed to do it to make it all those years, then so will you if you plan to see the sun rise.

4. Have a fire starter with you at all times.
How many people probably looked back on this idea through the ages and wished they would have been smart enough to bring a fire starter ? Probably more then you can count. But, it just makes sense doesn't it? Any self respecting outdoor adventure person who heads out into the great outdoors during the winter should always be carrying a fire starter.

Even though they can fail and get wet, a lighter would be better then nothing. Do yourself a favor and make it a habit to carry a fire starter in all your winter outings. You know the one time you don’t do it, that will be a the time you need it.

A fire starter could take a life and death winter survival situation and turn it into a slightly uncomfortable just get through the night fine situation. You can go with a basic flint starter, matches, lighters, and the list goes on, there is really no excuse for not carrying something with you.

5. Know where you are.
The compass. The idea of being able to know where you are at and figure out directions, from the sun, moon, or stars is older then the hills you hike on. Not that I’m asking you to be a Magellan, but knowing how to figure our which way is North by following the shadow of stick for 15 or 30 minutes is something everyone should be able to do.

If you know you came from the south, wouldn't it be good to know which way is south? Being able to head in the right direction is probably one of the most important survival skills you can learn. You can even stop buy Target and find a cheap compass in the camping and outdoors section of the store. Not getting lost is probably the first step in not spending a night alone in the woods.

There you have it, five of the best winter survival skills you can learn. Knowing these five winter survival skills can get you out of some hard spots and save you a load of trouble.