Snowmobile Camping

With the powder still fresh on the ground, lots of people will want to take full advantage of the snow for as long as they can. And we certainly have plenty of options around us. While some people enjoy day trips in the snow or like to sled around their neighborhood, others make every excuse to be out for as long as possible. So why not be out overnight? Whether you’re hunting, traveling for a specific reason, or simply wanting to enjoy the pristine landscape, camping with your snowmobile is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and explore an area in a way most people don’t get to experience.

Camping in the snow and with a snowmobile can be a little difficult, though. If you’ve never done it before, you’ll want to make sure you’re at least prepared for the basics so you’re not stuck in a worrisome situation. That’s why Dunfords of Havelock has provided you with some of the most important tips for camping with your snowmobile.

But first things first, you’ll want to make sure your snowmobile is working properly. For all your repair and maintenance needs, schedule a service appointment with our skilled mechanics in Havelock, Ontario, serving Peterborough, Belleville, Kingston, Kawartha, and Oshawa.

Clothes

One of the most important parts of planning for any trip in the snow is making sure you’re going to be warm enough, even if the temperatures continue to drop. The clothes you wear are going to play a big part in keeping you warm, both while you’re out traveling and while you’re sleeping. As you’re probably already aware, the best way to stay warm isn’t having thick, insulated coats, but layering your clothes. Even when it’s freezing out, ultra-warm clothes can actually make you overheat and start to sweat. If that sweat freezes, it could put you in danger of hypothermia, so make sure you have a lighter, base layer, followed by a slightly thicker, long sleeve layer, and finally a winter jacket. You can add layers as needed, depending on where you’ll be, but this will give you the option of removing layers if you start to get too hot.

You’ll also want to have doubles of certain clothing items, like hats, gloves, socks, and anything else that might be prone to getting wet and cold while you’re traveling. You can either layer them, or switch them out as needed. You’ll also want to make sure your outermost layers are waterproof, from your pants to your jacket and everything else that’s exposed to the snow. Whatever you do, avoid clothing made from cotton. Cotton won’t stay insulated when it gets wet, and it will definitely get wet in the snow. Wool and synthetic materials are a much better option.

Shelter

You’ll also need to pick the right kind of shelter for when it’s time to stop and rest. This will be a little tricky, as you don’t have a lot of cargo space when it comes to snowmobiles. Because of this, you’ll want to find materials that are lightweight and better suited for this kind of traveling. You’ll also want to get something that can handle the extreme weather, like a 4-season tent.

Consider bringing along a sleeping pad. While the ground tends to be warmer than the air around you, you’ll probably be sleeping on snow, even after you’ve packed it down, you can actually lose a lot of body heat while you’re sleeping if you’re not careful. A sleeping pad will keep you well insulated overnight. If you don’t have a pad, or if yours isn’t doing the trick, surround yourself with extra clothing.

Food and Water

Finally, you’ll want to make sure you have enough food and water to sustain you, especially in the winter when trying to find food out in nature is difficult. Try to bring food that’s going to be quick to make and easy to store. Freeze dried and instant meals won’t take up much room and require few tools to make. If you bring along foods like granola bars, keep them somewhere warm so they’ll stay easy to chew.

If you need water, just look around you. The snow at your feet will provide all the water you need so you’ll just have to pack the one water bottle and continuously refill it. We don’t recommend bringing along a water filter though, as these tools don’t work as well in extreme cold. Instead, boil any cooking or drinking water to kill bacteria. As a bonus tip, try storing your water bottle upside down at night to prevent the cap from freezing.

Hopefully, this gets you well on your way to starting on your first overnight trip with your snowmobile. Try starting out small and relatively close to civilization so if you need to call it quits early, you aren’t stranded in the wilderness. If you still need a snowmobile, stop by Dunfords of Havelock in Havelock, Ontario. We welcome all patrons from Peterborough, Belleville, Kingston, Kawartha, and Oshawa, Ontario.