Winter trips hit different: wide-open campsites, crisp air, zero crowds. Make it safe and comfy with a tight plan and the right kit.

Before you go (non-negotiables)

• Check conditions and closures. Look up park alerts, road status, avalanche forecasts, and weather windows before you commit your route. Save offline maps.
• Dial winter driving. Real winter tires, full tank, and a legit car kit (scraper, shovel, abrasive material, booster cables, headlamp/flashlight, blanket). Tell someone your plan and ETA.
• Cold-injury basics. Layer (no cotton), keep skin covered, and know hypothermia/frostbite signs.

Campsite & setup

• Pick safer terrain. Stay well away from avalanche paths, runouts, cornices, and terrain traps; avoid snow-loaded branches (“tree bombs”).
• Leave No Trace (winter edition). Camp on durable surfaces (snow/rock), 200 ft from water, and de-build snow walls when you leave.
• Kitchen & water. Snow melts take fuel, plan extra. Insulate bottles; warm food/water = warm humans.

Sleep system that actually works

• Bag rating you can trust. Use ISO/EN ratings; aim at your comfort number, not the “survival” extreme.
• Pad R-value matters more than you think. For real winter, target ~R-6–7+ total under you (pad or stacked pads).
• Why rooftop tents help in winter, being off the ground cuts conductive heat loss vs. cold soil/snow; many RTTs add beefier fabrics/liners for the cold. Vent a little to fight condensation.

The 14-item winter kit (keep it tight)

1. Four-season sleeping bag (ISO/EN rated) at or below your expected lows (choose by comfort rating).
2. High-R sleeping pad setup (single R-6–7+ or stack pads to that total).
3. Diesel heater (externally exhausted) + CO alarm — heat the annex/tent safely; keep exhaust outside, crack a vent, and never run any fuel burner without a CO detector.
4. Annex or awning room (with walls) — dry staging area for boots/cooking and a warm bubble out of the snow/rain. (Use proper ventilation.)
5. Layering system — wicking base, puffy mid, weatherproof shell; mitts beat gloves in deep cold. Pack face protection.
6. Headlamps/lanterns + spare batteries — cold kills batteries fast; store spares inside jacket.
7. Hot drinks kit + insulated bottles — keep water from freezing and morale high.
8. Snow-capable stove & fuel — white gas or a cold-friendly canister setup; plan extra for snowmelt.
9. Traction boards + shovel — for snow berms, icy pull-outs, and camp digging. (Abrasive material helps too.)
10. Vehicle winter kit — scraper/brush, booster cables, abrasive material, blanket, charger, and first aid. Keep it in the rig.
11. Navigation + SOS — offline maps, paper map/compass; tell someone your exact plan and check-in time.
12. Avalanche kit (if anywhere near avy terrain) — beacon, probe, shovel, and the training to use them. If you don’t have both gear and skills, pick a non-avy zone.
13. Emergency insulation — space blanket or heated vest/blanket for oh-sh*t moments; repair kit (cold breaks plastic).
14. Power that works in the cold — lithium loses steam below freezing; consider cold-tolerant options or keep batteries warm. (New sodium-ion power stations are emerging specifically for sub-zero temperatures.)

Places to favour vs. avoid (quick takes)

• Good bets: plowed-access parks with winter programs, sheltered valleys/ridges with zero avalanche exposure, established winter camp areas with toilets and bear-safe storage. Check the specific park page for winter access quirks.
• Hard passes: avalanche paths/runouts, creek bottoms (cold sinks/terrain traps), under heavy snow-loaded branches, wind funnels.

Safety notes you shouldn’t skip

• Crack a vent to reduce condensation/CO risk; never run unvented fuel burners in sealed spaces. Carry a CO alarm.
• Keep moving, keep eating, keep hydrating; swap wet layers fast. Learn hypothermia signals and response.

Here at Rooftop Tents, we are a Vancouver Island–based and locally owned business. We use, install, and ship the gear we recommend: rooftop tents, bed racks, cross bars, awnings (and annex rooms), portable fridges, and the cold-weather add-ons that make winter trips actually enjoyable. Questions about fitment, rack limits, or route ideas on the Island? Call 250-740-1844 and we’ll get you dialled.