Winter camping tents??

[skibumsmith]

Hey I want to get into winter camping and multi-day ski tours and I'm looking for tent recommendations.
I live in interior BC. I'm looking for a 2-3 person tent to use as a base camp. I've read pros/cons of single vs double wall construction but I was wondering if anybody had any personal feedback. Ease of setup is a priority.
Thanks!

[Tailwind]

I’ve been really impressed with Hilleberg tents.

Single wall tents are good for fast and light... but I’ve always been willing to bring an extra few pounds to make sure I’m comfortable and have some space for winter pursuits. There are a lot of dark cold tentbound hours in the winter. But I’m not trying to cover big stretches of ground in the winter.

[stealurface831]

I have an old sierra designs mountaineering tent. single wall, kinda heavy but absolutely bomber construction. it is at least 15 years old and has been completely recoated with PU once but is still going strong. i got it for like $50. it is very easy to set up. i'll see if i can find the model name.

[stealurface831]

I’ve been really impressed with Hilleberg tents.

this is what you want, though. if you can afford to go this route, do so.

[rod9301]

Look at tarptent.

I have a double wall, 2.5 lbs, bomber.
The inner and the fly set up at the same time, a few minutes. Just like hilleberg tents, but much lighter and cheaper.

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[BFD]

north face ve25. there is a reason they are still making this tent. heavy but if you have 2 or 3 people it is worth it. I would not bother with the footprint to save weight. Two doors, vestibule large enough to cook in and keep gear. another thing is compression sack for stuffing in winter.

[snoboy]

HIlleberg - cry once. I've spent many stormy nights as well as week long winter trips happy and cozy. Have to travel to the USA to get them though, or find a re-shipper? Not going to be easy to acquire one these days.

[MakersTeleMark]

A bibler, a hilleberg, and/or a mid. I don't think MH makes the Kiva anymore, maybe. Those are your basecamp choices. I'm sure more modern manufacturers have come to their senses, but, those are what I've always used for when the shit really matters.

[gaijin]

I have a double-wall Sierra Designs Tiros Convertible from 20 years ago that I still frequently use. It's the shit. It's also heavy. So if you value sleep and comfort over speed it's highly worth considering. Newer 2020 versions are going to be lighter. But... the lifetime of this tent is mind-blowing to me.

That external vestibule for cooking and changing clothes out of the weather, and out of the tent, is a feature that should never be overlooked.

With large vestibules you can build snow kitchens (meters) deep into the snowpack below your tent. It's like a whole other room with standing and sitting space.

Heavy... but it's like a house. And if you're ever stuck in weather, you'll appreciate the living space.

Most of my camping has been 2-3 nights in Montana & Wyoming ranges. I have never wished for a smaller/lighter set up. I have always valued a comfortable living quarters. YMMV.

[nickel]

Has anyone ever used a hot tent?

[3PinGrin]

Many single wall tents are exceptional for winter but dismal in the rain. The advantage of a double wall is they can be used year round if wanted. Can't go wrong with Hilleberg. I would avoid all the old school designs if you are hauling it very far, but if weight isn't an issue definitely some good options there. Agree with the older Sierra Designs comments, I have a Nightwatch CD around 25 years old that has had numerous seasons of hard use, so well made., only had the zippers repaired once, no cost after owning it for years. Check ebay for lightly used North Face, Sierra Designs, Moss, etc. if you don't mind the weight. Expect to pay big bucks for a lightly used original design Moss though. I was going to recommend looking at Big Sky International tents, but probably on the smallish size for what you want. For a base camp in winter a large vestibule can be invaluable for bad weather cooking, etc.

[kootenayskier]

How far are you going to be carrying it, if at all? For endless slogs I’ll make do with my Megamid, but I’ll use myHilleberg Nammatj 2 most of the time, and bring both for base camping(with the Mid for cooking and socializing). The Hilleberg is highly rated, and it works fine, but even with all its fancy design and ventilation features, I don’t think it gets any less cold and wet as any other comparable (and less expensive) winter rated tents. Other than the long setup time(digging out a custom platform with benches), the Mid is actually the superior (no colder or wetter, more spacious, and you can cook and pee from your sleeping bag) winter camping experience. If I didn’t have to carry it, I fantasize about one of those Alaskan Oven tents with a wood stove. Luxury.

[3PinGrin]

I fantasize about one of those Alaskan Oven tents with a wood stove. Luxury.

For sure!

[fleaches]

Has anyone ever used a hot tent?

I think you can install a stove jack in a lot of tents DIY and then try to find a lightweight stove. TI goat used to make a little one but I think they are gone now. Pic of this sort of setup at end of this review: https://intocascadia.com/2015/11/30/...stratospire-2/

Would probably work well with a mid.

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[zion zig zag]

Not the setup for camping up on a ridge in a storm, but these intrigue me: https://seekoutside.com/6-person-tip...-liner-bundle/

It's dark and cold for 16 hours a day mid-winter, and a space big enough to cook, hang out and be warm would be key for me staying more than a night or so. The tipi tent with stove gives you all of that for a reasonable weight.

I bought one of these this fall on a closeout deal: https://slumberjack.com/outpost-4-tipi-tarp/
I'm going to sew in a stove jack this winter: https://www.liteoutdoors.com/product/stove-jack/
And I think I'll pick up one of these: https://www.liteoutdoors.com/product...itanium-stove/

Gives me a heated shelter for 3 for around $400 and 6 pounds. I figure it's worth a try.

[brutah]

north face ve25. there is a reason they are still making this tent. heavy but if you have 2 or 3 people it is worth it. I would not bother with the footprint to save weight. Two doors, vestibule large enough to cook in and keep gear. another thing is compression sack for stuffing in winter.

TNF Mountain 25 tent

This is what I've used to winter camp and it's a solid choice. Not light, but managable especially if you pull a sled into camp. and half the cost of the hilleberg's.

No matter what tent choice you go with I would highly recommend getting a "tent floor" from 40below.com. They're like $20-30 and is basically a piece of foam you can cut to fit the floor of your tent. Gives you insulation from the snow through your entire tent instead of just where your sleeping pad lies.

[tgapp]

i took a sierra designs mountain guide tarp and put a stove jack in it. i carry a small 18x8" titanium cylinder stove and a foldable wood saw.



the night this photo was taken the (measured) outside temp was -5 degrees, but we were inside, in our short sleeves, playing cards and getting drunk, warm as can be.




the zipper on the side is where we pile up wood, making it easy to grab without needing a stack of sticks in your living room.

the whole setup weighs like 7.5 lbs, which it totally packable. sleeps 3 super easily with the stove.

[3PinGrin]

Marmot Thor 2P for a good price on ebay, used but new fly and looks in good shape (always ask about mildew if buying used)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Marmot-Thor...Condition=3000

Less than $100 more for a brand new Thor here: https://www.everestgear.com/math2pte...&kw=math2ptebl

You might also PM thejongiest on the forums. I sold him a Walrus Rapeede XV (with a third support pole vs the original). It's a 2 person but on the smaller side but a bomber built tent and super cheap for the condition. It's probably long gone, but can't hurt to check. https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-4-Season-Tent

[jacob_dbu]

Marmot Thor 2P for a good price on ebay, used but new fly and looks in good shape (always ask about mildew if buying used)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Marmot-Thor...Condition=3000

Less than $100 more for a brand new Thor here: https://www.everestgear.com/math2pte...&kw=math2ptebl

You might also PM thejongiest on the forums. I sold him a Walrus Rapeede XV (with a third support pole vs the original). It's a 2 person but on the smaller side but a bomber built tent and super cheap for the condition. It's probably long gone, but can't hurt to check. https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-4-Season-Tent

It's long gone...I sold it to someone else on here, though I can't remember who.

[3PinGrin]

It's long gone...I sold it to someone else on here, though I can't remember who.

I figured, but wasn't sure. I hope they are getting good use out of it!

[concretejungle]

I've got a older version of the Mountain 25 (it's a 24) that I'd probable sell depending on the price.

[bodywhomper]

Having been tent bound for 4+ days in a Sierra spring blizzards (above/at timberline and maritime), double walled, bigger than minimal size, able to withstand strong winds, and (possibly) freestanding.

[brown9]

MSR makes a lightish 4 season tent that is designed for under tree line winter camping. Seems interesting and saves a bit of weight over a true mountaineering tent. I have the MH Trango 2, which is absolutely bomber in a breeze and heavy snow. It weighs quite a bit for two people, but you know once you get inside that you will be secure.

Also second the megamid for longer trips and especially for spring trips under tree line. I took it in fall into the enchantments which worked great, though it's pretty loud in the wind so choose campsites accordingly.

[3PinGrin]

MSR makes a lightish 4 season tent that is designed for under tree line winter camping. Seems interesting and saves a bit of weight over a true mountaineering tent. I have the MH Trango 2, which is absolutely bomber in a breeze and heavy snow. It weighs quite a bit for two people, but you know once you get inside that you will be secure.

Also second the megamid for longer trips and especially for spring trips under tree line. I took it in fall into the enchantments which worked great, though it's pretty loud in the wind so choose campsites accordingly.

Yeah, location where you pitch definitely matters. If you can shelter in protective trees, avoid snow loading, etc. you can get away with a lighter build tent. It's sure nice to be in a very strong heavy tent when the shit hits the fan though! I have a Vango F10 Xenon UL 2 now, roomy and light but fragile materials so have to handle it with kid gloves a bit and not meant for a heavy snow load or relentless wind. I also had a MSR Hubba NX solo which I regret selling, that was a really cool little tent and so light. They make a more 4 season capable version now, and I think the MSR Access series is probably what you are referring to. Those MSR tents aren't cheap though. For a basecamp type situation I would err on the heavy / bomber side or going with a teepee style setup that has been mentioned to save weight. Or just built snow caves or a quinzee. Now that can be cozy and protective! Depending on how far you have to ski in you could ski in and build a cave/quinzee a week before your longer trip.

[tgapp]

those msr access tents suck. bad durability and bad ventilation too.

in general, double walled tents are much more livable for long term winter camping than single-walled shelters. here are my recommendations (assuming you are camping above treeline - below treeline you can get away with a ton of different tents, like others have said):

for high winds and moderate snow loading >> tunnel tents (hillebergs - i have a nammatj3)
for high winds and high snow loading >> mhw trango or similar, 3/4-pole designs (i use a hilleberg jannu for this slot)

that said, for fast and light missions, a single walled tent works well (just as long as you aren't spending more than 2 or 3 nights in it). my pick is the crux assault, but i have used bd firstlights extensively. they're small as shit but strong and wind resistant and bomber.