How to Recreate Responsibly
Winter Edition
In the winter, the environment changes quickly and access points may be more limited. It may not be cold or snowing close to home, but that could change quickly as you venture out. Here are tips to help you #RecreateResponsibly this winter season.
Know Before You Go
Some areas are seasonally closed or have limited hours, and many places become dangerous with winter weather. Research your destination, weather, and road conditions prior to your trip.
Plan And Prepare
Know your limits and your gear. Pack extra layers, waterproof clothing, and safety equipment or beacons for the backcountry. Have a Plan B in case you can’t access your destination.
Build An Inclusive Outdoors
Everyone deserves to experience a winter wonderland. Be an active part of making the outdoors safe, accessible, and welcoming for all identities and abilities.
Respect Others
From mountain tops to shores to prairies, parking can be in short supply in the winter. Park only in safe and legal spaces. Learn to Ski Kind or Tread Lightly when skiing, riding, or traversing off-road.
Leave No Trace
Respect the land, water, wildlife, and Indigenous communities. Follow the Leave No Trace Winter Use Principles.
Make it Better
Keep our winter playgrounds clean. Pack out any human or pet waste. Consider your responsibility to take action to protect our climate--today’s snow is tomorrow’s water.
Understanding recreating in winter...
Use the resources below to plan and prepare your winter activities.
Learn more about avalanche dangers and current avalanche conditions
Know Before You Go is a free avalanche awareness program that stresses five steps of preparation to ensure the safest possible experience when in uncontrolled areas.
Check out the winter safety resources from the National Weather Service
Educate yourself on how to recognize and travel safely in avalanche terrain
In the same vein as the Recreate Responsibly campaign, Ski Kind aims to encourage winter adventurers of all stripes to follow a common Backcountry Code of Ethics that is rooted in being kind — to the land, to critters, and to other users.
If you'd like to see more winter resource(s) listed here, reach out below.