Winter and extreme cold present unique survival challenges. Taking a little bit of time to learn things like how to drive in snow, what to do if you fall through ice, and how to create shelter if your home loses heat are valuable skills that can save your life.
This guide teaches you the basic survival skills in cold situations. Check out our guide on winter emergency survival kits so you can get your home, car, clothing, and bug out bags prepared ahead of time.
We don’t like specific checklists and acronyms that you’ll never actually remember in the moment you need them.
The point isn’t to memorize this article. The point is to understand why these are the best steps to take in the example situations, so that you can make better decisions on the fly no matter what scenario you face.
That’s why we put it on all one page — so the common foundation across situations can sink in.
Top winter survival and cold weather tips
Prepare! Follow our winter survival kit checklist for tips on proper clothing, winter car kits, home supplies, and more.
Hypothermia and frostbite are the real dangers. Even in 50 F temperatures, you’re at risk of losing too much core and limb heat.
Protect your body heat. Protect it, trap it, and treat it like the precious resource it is.
Keep covered. Wind and exposure are the enemy. Exposed skin accelerates heat loss, especially through wind.
Dress in layers. The air trapped between each layer holds your body heat, like your own personal hot tub. Plus, layers give you better control over regulating body heat so you can avoid dangerous sweating.
Avoid sweating and stay dry. Besides moisture loss, sweating is bad because water on your skin makes you colder. That’s why we sweat to begin with — it’s the body’s air conditioning system.
Snow is an insulator. Don’t be afraid to use it for shelter.
Avoid eating snow. You lose a lot of core heat by melting snow inside your body. Melt it outside your body instead.
Alcohol does not warm you. Sorry, Russia!
Hydrate. Severe cold can be just as dangerous as severe heat. Stay hydrated.
Don’t travel unless you have to. Conserve energy. Stay where you’re most likely to be found. Especially if you’re in a nasty storm where navigation and shelter is difficult.