Winter travel in the backcountry is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the outdoors—but it also demands respect, preparation, and the right equipment. Snow conditions change quickly, terrain can amplify risk, and small decisions can have big consequences.
Whether you’re planning your first overnight or leveling up your cold-weather skills, here’s how to camp confidently in winter: what to bring, how to choose the perfect campsite, and which Atlas snowshoes will get you there.
Planning a winter girls trip is always exciting—until the logistics start piling up. Expensive ski rentals, conflicting athletic abilities, and that one friend who just wants to sit in the lodge can turn a dreamy getaway into a group chat headache. But what if there was a winter activity that checked all the boxes—fun, affordable, inclusive, and adventure-packed? Enter snowshoeing.
From Europe to North America to Asia, people began using snowshoes over 4,000 years ago out of a basic need to explore new territories and to find food in the winter.
By Adam Chase, Atlas Team Captain Even though Mt. Hood is just a 90-minute drive from downtown Portland and considered PDX’s playground, the amount of snow the upper regions of the volcanic and glacial mountain receives keeps the hoards away, leaving its open wilderness and National Forest areas wide open for exploration.
In Part 3 of our “New to Snowshoeing” series (which isn’t just for newbies!) we’ll be discussing fuel, nutrition, and hydration. The third major piece of the goal-conquering puzzle. If you missed part 1, you’ll find it here If you missed part 2, get it now.