Preparing for Outdoor Activities during Winter

Preparing for Outdoor Activities during Winter - What do I need and What should I know?

Outdoor activities in The New Forest can be a magical way to spend winter. But English weather patterns mean that preparation is vital in enjoying your time in the great outdoors. With over 20 years of providing outdoor thrills, we’ve got all of the information you’ll need in order to make the most of winter in Hampshire.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Alfred Wainwright’s famous quote is one that we find ourselves using often here at New Forest Activities. Although many people are put off outdoor adventures during the colder season, it can be a great time to get out into nature, with many benefits that summer doesn’t provide. And in order to enjoy yourself and have a great time outdoors during winter, you need to make sure you are properly prepared (especially considering the unpredictable nature of UK weather!)

Clothing- What should I wear, and what do I need to bring?

The easiest and most obvious way to prepare yourself is by dressing appropriately. The correct clothing can be the difference between a great adventure, and an experience you wish you’d put more thought into; but what do you actually need on your cold weather adventure packing list? What are the best ways to enjoy a winter outdoor activity in the UK? For most of our activities, we recommend coming dressed as though you’re going for a walk in the woods: waterproofs if it’s raining, fleece layers if it’s particularly cold, shoes you don’t mind getting a little bit muddy, etc. Many people also find it useful to bring a spare change of clothing; often the promise of warm dry clothes can be a great motivator to carry on the session, even in undesirable conditions! Bringing some snacks or even a hot flask is also a great idea, helping you to enjoy your time in nature even when it's cold or windy.

Safety- Should I be worried about wet weather?

Understandably, we often get questions from people concerned about the weather, and the potential safety issues that it could bring. Here at New Forest Activities, many of our activities can go ahead rain or shine, there are only a few conditions that will cause us to cancel or postpone an activity, these being high wind or electrical storms. The safety of everyone involved is always a priority, meaning we will occasionally need to cancel sessions, but rain and light winds pose no risk, meaning in these conditions, our experiences will still go ahead.

Will I still enjoy an outdoor activity in wet weather?

Now you know how you should dress for a winter activity, and how safe it can be, you may be wondering whether or not you’ll still enjoy it in these conditions- and the answer is probably yes! We often find that these wet and rainy sessions facilitate some powerful experiences and great memories; the challenge of battling the elements while outside during winter can help to build resilience, and lead to a greater sense of achievement than a summer activity could provide. As well as this, the change in environment means you get to experience some of nature’s most beautiful colours, as well as the winter wildlife, something that is especially prevalent down here in The New Forest. Making the effort to get outside during this season is also great for your mental and physical health, plus you get to benefit from quieter sessions, meaning less people in your group.

Can I cancel or reschedule because of the weather?

Despite these benefits, we understand that some people would still rather leave their outdoor adventuring for a day that is much dryer, which is why we have the option of adding poor weather insurance to your booking. By paying a little bit extra on checkout, you have the option to cancel or rearrange your session up to 17:00 the evening before, perfect for those that are a little more apprehensive about an outdoor session in poorer conditions. We also have a satisfaction guarantee, allowing you to get in touch for a refund if you felt let down by your experience.

So don’t let cold weather stop you from adventuring this winter Whether you’re after some cosy bushcraft in the woods, or a rainy river adventure, join us at New Forest Activities for some outdoor fun over the winter months.