Snow-covered mountains, frozen lakes, snowy hiking trails, and the sound of fresh snow under your shoes with every step. This is something we adults enjoy while hiking in winter. Even if you go hiking with children, you don’t have to declare the hiking season over with the first snowfall. On the contrary.
Hiking with children in the winter months can be a whole lot of fun. Children love to romp through fresh snow, build snowmen, and have a good old snowball throw. The prospect of flying down a hill on a sledge/toboggan can make the whole endeavour even more enticing for the little ones.
With the right gear and a few basic skills, winter hikes, on beautiful clear days with the kids can be the perfect way to balance out our everyday chaos.
Route planning
Plan short and easy tours
A lot of time must be planned for a hike with children, especially in winter, because walking through snow is strenuous. Winter walks should therefore be short and easy, especially taking into account that daylight really is a limited resource in winter.
Prepared winter hiking trails are perfect for beginners, but also ungroomed trails can be walked on with children if they are wide enough and not too steep.
I would not recommend hiking tours that require crampons/spikes and snowshoes right from the start, especially when hiking with small children. Fun and not sporting ambition should clearly be the name of the game when motivating your kids out for a winter hike.
A hut to warm up
A hut that is also open in winter is worth its weight in gold when taking the kids on a winter hike. Cold fingers and toes can be warmed up and tired little legs can take a much-needed break.
Hiking in the sun
Sunshine and vitamin D can also be collected in winter if you choose a south-facing hike. Better keep that in mind, when picking the route.
Sun, snow and sledges: This is what makes a winter hike with children absolutely perfect.
Hike and sledge
A toboggan run is superb fun for the whole family and an awesome motivation for children. If you don’t mind pulling a sled behind you, do it! You will definitely be rewarded at the end of the day when your kids can’t stop talking about flying down the mountain and burning you off at every hairpin turn.
After a strenuous uphill trudge, it’s not only the children who enjoy flying down a mountain with a sledge.
The right gear
Clothes: Layer it up
Be prepared for every weather event by dressing accordingly. Use the layering principle. Children should wear multiple thin layers on top of each other, which can be taken off and put on again as required.
The first or base layer should consist of a thin long sleeve and leggings. Products made of merino wool or polyester are the best choice here. Cotton should be avoided because it absorbs a lot of moisture and dries slowly.
Fleece trousers or tracksuit pants are suitable as a second layer. They should be comfortable and not constrict your kid’s mobility.
Last but not least, children really ought to wear a snowsuit or ski trousers with a winter jacket (one that can be attached to the ski trousers for deep snow is a great option) when winter hiking.
With these three layers and the warmth from inside, no child should feel the cold. Parents should go through the hassle of peeling off the layers if the child is too warm. What good is the layering principle if it is not actually implemented?
A warm beanie, scarf, and thick gloves are fitting accessories for a winter hike.
Footwear: What is best suited for winter hiking?
What about proper winter footwear? When winter hiking with children it is most important that children’s feet stay dry and warm.
When choosing suitable footwear, parents should make sure that the shoes are waterproof and warmly lined. A waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membrane and insulating lining are the best choices here. The sole of the shoe must provide grip on icy surfaces and if possible offer some ankle support. This keeps feet warmer for longer, snow can not penetrate easily from above and kids will feel safe and encouraged to go out and explore the white gold.
My daughter, for example, needs her shoes to be warm and snug but hates them being too clunky. If you can find footwear your child really likes the look of and is comfortable in for winter hiking – you will have a steady companion for all other winter activities.
Waterproof, warm, stable and comfortable: these are the words to describe the perfect winter hiking boots for children.
Hiking Crampons/Spikes: Are they really necessary?
Although I have previously written that I would refrain from hiking terrain, for which spikes are needed from the outset, it is never quite clear what to expect on a winter hike.
If there was a fresh dump of fresh snow, then winter hiking is a soft affair indeed. However, thawed and re-frozen trails can be as smooth as glass and as slippery. Hiking paths that are frequented are usually also often hard and icy. So it’s a good idea to have them with you – just in case. If need be you can then carry or pull (on a sled) your kids to less iced up territory.
Sun protection: Also important in winter
During a winter hike, sun protection should never be forgotten. The snow reflects the sunlight and hits your skin and your eyes with full force.
Sun cream with a high sun protection factor is thus also important for a winter hike.
On long hikes with lots of snow and sunshine, children should also wear sunglasses with sufficient UV protection. Here, however, theory often meets praxis: for instance, my little daughter will just not tolerate sunglasses.
The cold
In winter it is cold. Sometimes very cold. Sometimes even too cold. This can be unpleasant, but it doesn’t have to be. Important when hiking with children in winter is the warmth from within and this comes from doing sufficient exercise.
Of course, children should be allowed to take a break, but the time without movement should really not be too long. Several short breaks are better in winter in order to avoid cooling down – both for yourself and your kids.
A thermal flask with warm tea should always be in your luggage during winter hiking.
If the breaks are long or very cold, parents should make sure that the children also exercise during the breaks. How about a snowball throw or building a snowman?
As a rule, children move around a lot more than we adults when we go hiking, and this also applies in winter. So “too cold” is no excuse for not lacing up your hiking boots in winter. It is important that we adults also take care of ourselves and stay warm.
Motivating the little alpinists
As with any walk with children, fun should be the main focus in winter too. Anyone who has children knows that they usually do not giggle with euphoria on their way up a mountain when it’s for too long.
We parents also have to motivate children on winter hikes. In between, a snowball fight or a surprise snack that we pull out of our backpacks can really work some magic. I also involve my daughter in a conversation on the way, in which we think about what we’re going to drink at the hut and we “argue” about who’s going to be in the lead on the sled run down.
If nothing else works, we take a break and enjoy a warm drink. Afterward, we look for animal tracks in the snow, and lo and behold, we have reached our destination in no time at all.
Hiking in winter is a dream – not only for adults, but also for children!
Summary: Winter hiking with kids
Go out and explore. With the right gear, a suitable hiking trail, and lots of fun games outdoors, you may soon declare winter to be your favorite hiking season yet.