We have backpacked for many seasons now with our kids. And after successfully mastering our packing for summer trips, this winter we decided to embark on our first backcountry trip with the kids.
Not wanting to winter camp in a tent (been there, done that), we reserved a yurt in the Lily Lake Yurt System in Utah, about 30 minutes south of Evanston, WY in the Uinta Mountain Range.
I stressed for weeks over how to get all of us and all our gear in to the yurt! However, when it came time to actually pack, it was easier than our summer trips!
Here is why:
- We only need layers for cold weather, not cold and hot weather! It is winter… we know it will be cold, whereas in the summer we pack for all types of weather.
- We are able to tow a Chariot bike trailer with ski attachments. You can toss an amazing amount of gear in those trailers! We no longer had to stress out about fitting all the food, weighing different sleeping bags and trying to compress all our gear! It was awesome!
- Most of what we needed in regards to travel and clothing, we wore in. Making packing easier.
- I didn’t need a tent or sleeping pads! The yurts also provided stove, fuel, and pots! What a load off!
Click Here for our Food Choices and Meal Recipes!
Feeding a family in the backcountry is a chore! But easy trail snacks like Perky Jerky are our favorite ways to keep everyone fueled!
Family Packing List for a Winter Yurt Trip
(This will obviously depend on what the yurt provides and you should check with the specific yurt or hut system you are visiting before assuming certain things are provided.)
**I bring doubles of most clothing items in case one pair should become wet or sweaty.
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Clothing
- 2 Leggings/long underwear (possible of different weights, ie. lighter/warmer)
- 2 Long Sleeve Tops (possible of different weights, ie. lighter/warmer)
- 2 wool socks
- 2 Underware/Bras
- Snow Pants
- Down/Insulating Jacket
- Waterproof Shell Jacket
- Mittens + light gloves for skiing
- Winter Hat
- Sunglasses
- Buff/Balaclava
-
Gear
- Backpacks (or Chariot/pulk/sled for towing)
- Winter Sleeping Bags
- Inflatable camping pillow (optional)
- First Aid Kit
- Fire Starter Kit
- 25 ft of cord (emergencies)
- Skis (or snowshoes)/boots/poles
- Hut slippers (those floors are cold!)
- Chemical Hand warmers
- 1/2-1L Water Bottle per person
- Headlamps
- Sierra Designs Night Glow Lantern Adaptor (best gear ever!)
- Eating utensils
- Dish Towel
- Toiletries
- Deck of Cards/Games
- Book
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Misc Items unless provided by the yurt/hut
- Ax for wood chopping
- Toilet Paper
- Stove/fuel/pots
- Sleeping Pads
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- Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments below!
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This is great Alyssa. I want to do a winter hut trip with my kids next winter! Really interesting POV about it being easier to pack than for summer trips. One thing I do with my gear lists is break them down into categories, to make it easier to “see” if I’ve forgotten something. One question – what fire starter kit are you using? I tested one out recently on a day trip and my hands froze while trying to get it to light and the starter busted before I could get the fire lit. It was a wheel housed in a cheap plastic and I couldn’t believe they made it that way for something that you have to depend on in emergencies!
Hi Jason!
So we just bring the Coghans mini fire starter kits, I think I linked to them via the Amazon links at the bottom. They work pretty good but you’d need wood!
Try Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid Fuel Tablets and waterproof matches. Work great!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015CMFXBQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1