I live in Western Montana in the Rocky Mountains, and when I say that it can get pretty cold in the winter, I mean that a few years ago it got so cold that my interior doorknobs got covered in frost. If I want to enjoy nature at all for the colder 6 months of the year, I have to be dressed correctly. Hell, it can even be dangerous not to have the right gear on when you go outside here.
After more than 25 years of traveling solo from hiking snow-covered trails in the Himalayas to camping in Patagonia's winter chill, wandering Christmas markets in Europe, and sailing past Arctic and Antarctic icebergs, I've learned that winter travel adventures demand a mix of resilience and resourcefulness. "Traveling solo is an excellent way to practice mindfulness, challenge yourself, and build confidence. It teaches you about new cultures and experiences, and more so yourself," says Jan Curl, a retreat leader at Run Wild Retreats.