As the last speckles of autumn gold fade from the hills and the soft whites and blues of winter begin to creep in, enthusiasm for outdoor activities seems to all but disappear. Save for the occasional ski trip or a few laps around a skating rink, the winter months seem to be when most choose to curl up by the TV and embrace the darkness. Six months of frigid temps and unrelenting night is enough to send even the strongest optimist into a pit of despair, and it gets truly desperate if the only exercise is 16-ounce curls at the local pub.

Getting outside is paramount for me, and I've found nothing shakes off the solstice doldrums like the crunch of snow underfoot and the crisp sting of icy winter air in the lungs. Of course, 9 hours of daylight and single-digit temps aren't exactly the most conducive conditions for a stroll in the park, but with a little know how and some planning, you'll find that winter doesn't limit your outdoor potential.

Plan Ahead, but Know When to Quit

With colder temps, shorter daylight hours, and (literally) slippery slopes, winter offers quite a bit less leeway for mistakes. So for the best chance of success, it's important to plan ahead for both inclement weather and unforeseen obstacles.

I'm fortunate to be one of the weirdos who is completely unphased by inclement weather and genuinely enjoys a day outside even in a full-out tempest, but the reality is that bad weather can, and does, kill. Beer and pizza are a perfectly good substitute for any outdoor adventure should the weather go too far south – even the most seasoned and successful climbers and hikers have made that call more than once. It's easy to get adventure-fever and push through unsafe conditions in the hopes of an amazing story later, but true savvy outdoorsmen (and women) know the only story that comes from that is in the form of a headline.

Pick the Right Kind of Trail

The popularity of a given trail is the first thing I like to consider when planning a winter hike. Most people instinctively gravitate tend towards easier hikes in the winter, under the assumption that the more hardscrabble trails are impassable with snow. And sure, snow certainly complicates the issue, but with a little fortitude, nearly any trail can be done in any season.

So there's no wrong answer here; it's just a matter of preference. High-traffic trails will be easier to follow in the snow, but will also probably be icy and slick. Isolated trails may involve a bit of route-finding and trail-breaking if the snow is fresh, but yield much higher rewards if the goal is fresh air and solitude.

Keep in mind that hiking in the snow is much like walking in sand – every step takes considerably more effort and progress will be much slower. Even very strong hikers who routinely put in fifteen-mile days during the summer months will find that similar distances in the snow are nearly impossible. Unless you're using a full touring setup (skis, climbing skins, the works), count on a shorter trip to avoid running out of steam in the middle of the woods.

Get Dressed

The most complicated thing about cold weather hiking is staying comfortable. Even in freezing temps, a rigorous hike will generate substantial body heat (and thus, sweat). Rather than tossing on a massive winter parka, I prefer to dress in multiple layers of lighter-weight fleeces and jackets so I can shed accordingly to keep myself comfortable. Staying warm is wonderful but being TOO warm leads to sweat, and there are few things less comfortable than stopping for a water break and feeling your sweat freeze solid on your face.

There are no hard-set rules for how exactly to layer your clothing other than this: avoid cotton, as it completely loses its insulation capabilities with even the slightest bit of moisture. But so long as your clothes are comfortable and warm, then you're fine. I prefer to bring a wind-breaker or shell, because the bite of the wind makes a brisk day feel absolutely arctic, and keeping that breeze off your skin is sometimes more effective than even a massively insulated parka.

F*%&ing Do It

It's so easy to stay inside during the winter where it's warm and cozy. There's flannel pajamas, Netflix, and food. I'm absolutely guilty of it myself; I've had more than one day where I talk myself out of an adventure just knowing it's going to be cold. If sunset is at 4pm, why even bother?

Of course, all of those are valid excuses. It will be cold, and it will get dark early, and you'll probably come home tired. But you'll never regale your children with stories of the time you binge-watched an entire season of Futurama, or how you didn't do dishes for a week straight because you found a new takeout restaurant you loved. But pushing your limits in the face of adverse conditions to see a sight that most people only dream of isn't just satisfying in the moment – it's inspiring for your future endeavors, indoor and out.

So get out and make memories worth remembering – that way, your steaming mug of hot cocoa isn't a guilty pleasure, but the final checkmark for an amazing weekend.

On the Beauty of Hiking in Winter