Skills & Techniques

5 Leave No Trace Tips for Winter Trips

Brice - January 11, 2019

Reno, NV: Winter is a great time to get outside and enjoy nature, but it can also make your favorite outdoor spaces even more susceptible to harmful impacts. Here are 5 things you should always consider on a winter trip to help you Leave No Trace.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare X2 – A lack of planning in cold temperatures can result in significant impacts and dangerous situations. Check conditions and take extra safety precautions.

2. Know How To Go – Many restroom facilities are closed in winter, and summer disposal methods might not be possible. For liquid human waste, make sure you are 200 feet away from water, even if it’s snow covered. For solid waste, be prepared to pack it out.

3. Stick to Deep Snow – Traveling on snow that is not very deep can still damage the vegetation underneath, and muddy areas where snow has melted can be extremely fragile. Deep snow is a durable surface and a great place to concentrate your activity.

4. Let Animals Chill – During winter, wildlife is especially vulnerable. Give them distance to ensure you don’t interfere with their food gathering or movements.

5. Share the Snow – Winter allows for a huge variety of outdoor activities, but we’re still sharing these areas. Avoid hiking on ski or snowshoe trails, and yield to downhill traffic to ensure crashes don’t happening.

Keep these tips in mind to Enjoy Your Winter and Leave No Trace!

Leave No Trace’s Erin Collier and Brice Esplin are part of the 2018 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program that provides free, mobile education to communities across the country. Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, Eagles Nest Outfitters, Deuter, Thule, Taxa and Klean Kanteen.