We know winter - stay safe this season with Outdooractive
Safety is the most important consideration when out on winter adventures in mountainous terrain. This can only be achieved with the most reliable tools that give you a clear picture of the conditions on the ground, as well as the most up-to-date know-how to help you make better decisions in the outdoors. From practical tips and insight from real outdoor experts to a breakdown of the most important Outdooractive features you need this winter — discover everything you need for safer winter exploration here.
Practical advice — straight from a professional
'Ninety percent of a good day is in the design.'
Tom Holding is a mountain leader, personal trainer and owner of TH Outdoor Adventures. With years of experience safely guiding people through Scotland's Cairngorms and England's breathtaking Lake District National Park, he knows a thing or two about staying safe in the mountains. And as he professes, 'Ninety percent of a good day is in the design.' But what about the other ten percent?
From how to overcome common challenges in harsh conditions to keeping warm on Scottish winter days, here's what you need to know to maximise both safety and comfort on your next winter adventure.
What to pack for a winter adventure
"It's essential to have the right kit and the right skills."
As well as wearing suitable clothing, such as purpose-built mountaineering clothes and warm winter mountaineering boots, it's crucial to ensure you're packed for every eventuality when you head into the hills in winter. From multiple pairs of gloves and several synthetic jackets to crampons, ice axes and climbing helmets — find out exactly what Tom takes with him on his own winter trips. And consider using the below as your own packing checklist when you venture out into the mountains this season.
- Downloaded maps on Outdooractive
- Paper map
- Compass (x2)
- Ice axe
- Goggles
- Crampons
- Helmet
- First aid kit
- Appropriately sized group shelter
- Hot drink in a flask
- Plenty of food
- Headtorch (x2)
- Powerbank
- Waterproof shell
- Waterproof trousers
- Hat (x2)
- Multiple pairs of gloves (depending on the climate)
- Warm mid-layer
- Puffy belay jacket
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- 30-40 litre rucksack
Expert opinion: Discover why Michael Larcher, one of Europe's leading avalanche experts, trusts Outdooractive
In German-speaking countries, Michael Larcher is known for his interactive lecture series "Avalanche Update", which he gives live to audiences throughout Austria and South Tyrol every year. This winter, interested parties can once again brush up on their knowledge of avalanche safety on-site or online.
The Outdooractive features you need this winter
See avalanche reports for Europe's most mountainous areas
Our avalanche reports are updated daily based on information provided by numerous official authorities. Available in the most avalanche-prone areas in Europe, the reports cover most of the Alps, various sections of the Pyrenees, Slovakia, and some regions in Norway. To see all reports, simply enable the Avalanche Report layer visible in the Additional Layers panel.
All data is provided by official authorities and our reports are updated daily through the winter. Avalanche risk is represented via a 5-step scale, with 1 being low risk and 5 being very high risk. To access the latest information, each report can be opened and reviewed so you can understand precisely what you need to be aware of before you go.
See winter-specific trails and activity networks
With Outdooractive Pro, you can see trails and activity networks through winter for referencing when you're planning routes through mountainous terrain — be that hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, or sledding runs. With the Winter Activity layer enabled, you can easily see official trail and activity networks on the map, so you know where to head for specific types of adventures.
This information is provided by thousands of tourism partners and is updated regularly to ensure it's as reliable as possible. To make the network easily understandable, we show different trail styles on the map depending on the sport, such as short-dashed light blue lines for snowshoeing routes, solid purple lines for winter hiking trails, or blue, red, and black lines for the various skiing runs (according to their difficulty type).
Avalanche Terrain Hazard Map (ATHM)
With our brand-new ATHM layer, you can now easily see localized avalanche risk profiles at a glance. Based on the individual characteristics of the landscape you're planning through, the layer shows a color-coded avalanche risk prediction based on steepness, slope size, angles, and growth. Additionally, when used in conjunction with the avalanche report, slope angle, and snow-depth layers, you can access everything you need to plan winter adventures with complete confidence — right in the palm of your hand.
See slope angles to understand steepness
Available Europe-wide and throughout the Rocky Mountains, our slope angle overlays help you to understand terrain steepness at a glance. When used in combination with the Avalanche Reports layer, you can easily see the risks different trails pose through winter.
Especially relevant for backcountry skiers, freeriders, or alpinists that are traveling away from marked trails, our slope angle layer helps you make better decisions in the backcountry regarding avalanche risk mitigation and exposure. Aggressive slopes are outlined via a sliding scale system that shows slopes ranging from 30 to 55 degrees. For rapid understandability, the color changes from light yellow to dark red depending on the steepness.
See snow depth coverage with a glance at the map
Outdooractive Pro+ also gives you access to precise snow depth coverage information, so you can plan safer adventures. Available at outdoorative.com, this layer lets you instantly understand how deep the snow cover is at various sections, and the feature is available worldwide.
All data for our snow depth layer is provided by ExoLabs who develop regional information based on information provided by both NASA and the ESA. The result is a hyper-localized assessment of the conditions on the ground, based on a combination of satellite data and actual readings from local weather stations.