Is It Safe To Paddle When It's Snowing?

Is It Safe To Paddle When It's Snowing?

If you love a snow day and kayaking, canoeing, and SUP boarding, you may have wondered if you can combine the two. Perhaps you have seen romantic images on social media of kayakers enjoying an enchanted paddle on a snowy afternoon. It’s a lovely idea, and sounds like a great way to enjoy a beautiful snowy day. But is it safe to paddle when it’s snowing?

It is possible to paddle when it is snowing, but only if the snow is light and the weather conditions are otherwise safe. Avoid paddling when there is heavy snow, freezing rain, or high winds. When paddling in snow, ensure you choose a short route that stays close to the shoreline. Wear protective and insulating clothing, waterproof footwear, and protective eyewear, and pack a dry bag with safety essentials.

Paddling in the snow might seem romantic, but in practice, it can be quite dangerous if you aren’t prepared for everything that could go wrong. All watersports have real added risks in cold weather, especially when the weather is less than perfect. If, however, you are determined to take your paddling vessel out on a snowy winter day, then make sure you read all our safety tips for paddling in the snow listed below.

Can You Safely Paddle When It’s Snowing Outside?

If you love paddling but live in a climate with long and snowy winters you have probably wondered if it’s a good idea to paddle in the snow. Sure, it isn’t as ideal as paddling on a warm and sunny day. Still, paddling on a quiet lake as snow gently falls is a whimsical thought - but is it safe?

The answer to this question is dependent on several factors. If you are in protected waters and are expecting a light flurry or dusting of snow, it should be safe to take a short and controlled paddle.

If, however, there is the potential for severe winter weather, you should stay indoors and avoid all outdoor activities, especially watersports. To determine if it’s safe for you to paddle in snowy conditions, you should ask yourself a few questions.

Five Questions To Ask Before Paddling In Snowy Conditions

1. How Much Snow Is In The Forecast?

One of the biggest variables in determining if it's safe to paddle in the snow is the quantity and speed of snowfall. The lighter the snowfall, the safer it tends to be for paddlers. As long as the forecast anticipates light snowfall or flurries, you can take the same precautions you would on any other cold-weather paddle.

If the forecast is for more than an inch of snow, heavy snow, or an unpredictable amount, then it’s a smart idea to avoid paddling until the weather clears up.

2. What Is The Outside (And Water) Temperature?

Snow usually occurs when the temperature is below freezing. Sometimes snow can occur when it is significantly below freezing. While it is perfectly safe to paddle in the winter, and even on cold days, you should try to avoid paddling on the coldest days. Hypothermia is a genuine risk, and the risk increases significantly. Therefore make sure you check the temperature forecast in addition to the snowfall predictions before planning your paddling route.

3. Is Wind Or Freezing Rain Expected?

Snow is pretty, but freezing rain and blustering wind are quite the opposite. If your forecast looks more like a wintery mix rather than snow, you can expect unpleasant conditions.

Freezing rain will tend to make your body colder and is generally less pleasant to experience than snow. Wind can make paddling difficult on a nice day, and can make it altogether dangerous on a cold and snowy day.

4. What Is Visibility Like?

Snow might look pretty, but it affects your visibility when driving and paddling. If snow accumulation is enough to affect your visibility significantly, then you should consider changing your paddling plans. Decreased visibility makes winter paddling more risky.

5. Where Exactly Are You Considering Paddling?

The body of water you are thinking about paddling in also matters when you are considering paddling in the snow. A tranquil and brief paddle on a well-protected pond should be fairly safe and straightforward. An open water paddle, or any paddling in the ocean or a large body of water is something you should reconsider on a snowy day.

10 Tips To Make Paddling In Wintery Conditions Safer

1. Use A Reliable Weather App Diligently Before Venturing Out

The best way to stay safe when paddling in the snow is to know what type of weather you will face while on the water. To know exactly what you are up against you must check a reliable weather app frequently before venturing out.
If the weather continues to trend for the worse, with more and more snowfall or wintery weather expected, you should delay your winter paddling trip.

2. Opt For Shorter Paddling Routes

Since paddling in snowy weather is very unpredictable, it’s smart to opt for a shorter paddling route. Instead of a full-day or even a half-day route, consider a one-hour or 90-minute paddle. This will allow you time to enjoy the solitude that a snowy day offers, but it isn’t so long that you are at great risk of cold-related illnesses.

Shorter paddling routes also ensure you are never too far from your launch point, just in case the weather takes a quick and unexpected turn for the worse.

3. Avoid Open Water And Choppy Locations

Since it isn’t uncommon for wind to accompany snow, it’s best to opt for sheltered paddling locations when you opt to paddle in the snow. A serene lake surrounded by woods, a well-protected inlet, or a calm river are all good options.

Avoid paddling in large lakes or open water. This exposes you too much to potentially hazardous conditions.

4. Choose A Launch Site That’s Safe And Reliable In The Snow

Launching your paddling vessel and returning to shore can be particularly tricky in snowy conditions. Ensure you choose a launch location that will be safe and not too slippery in the snow. Also, remember that conditions may worsen while you paddle, so ensure your launch location will also be safe when you return from paddling.

5. Always Carry A Dry Bag With Emergency Supplies

A dry bag is always essential when paddling, but it is particularly crucial when you plan to paddle in the snow. When paddling in the snow, your belongings are much more likely to get wet if they aren’t protected. This is where a quality dry bag comes in handy.

Keep a spare set of dry clothes, emergency first aid, and essential electronics in your dry bag, even if you are only taking a short route.

6. Dress Appropriately For The Conditions

When paddling in cold conditions you must dress accordingly. When paddling in wet and cold conditions you must be even more careful than normal. You must consider your cold-weather clothing materials from head to toe to ensure you don’t suffer hypothermia or other health issues brought on by frigid temperatures.

7. Carry An Emergency Communication Device

If you’re wondering if you need to bring a cell phone or another emergency communication device when you paddle in snowy weather, the answer is - absolutely. It’s always a good idea to have a way to communicate in case you need assistance. When paddling in cold and snowy conditions you may require help, and fast. Make sure you keep this electronic device in a waterproof cell phone case or your dry bag.

8. Don’t Forget To Protect Your Eyes And Feet

A lot of time and effort goes into keeping your body warm when paddling in the snow. You need a quality wet or dry suit, as well as multiple insulating layers. You also must think about your eyes and your feet.

Wear eye protection as the snow can create a glare, and it can also fly directly into your eyes. Wear the right paddling footwear, like waterproof boots and insulated socks to make sure your feet stay warm, as feet tend to be the extremities that get cold first when paddling in cold conditions.

9. Get Your Body Warm Before Entering Your Paddling Vessel

It’s a good idea to get your blood flowing and make your body warm before launching your paddling vessel This could mean some stretching or light cardio before launching your boat. Regardless of how you do it, warming up your body is a great way to keep your body temperature up while paddling in the snow.

10. Choose A Paddling Route That’s Close To Shore

If you decide to paddle in the snow it’s always wise to stay close to the shore. Choose a paddling route that hugs the shoreline, and ideally, one that has plenty of safe places to land your paddling vessel if you need to.

If conditions worsen quickly you may have only a few moments to find shelter, therefore paddling close to shore is a great way to ensure your safety, even when the unexpected happens.

Summing Up Whether Or Not It Is Safe To Paddle When It Snows

Paddling on a snowy day isn’t the safest or most ideal weather for this activity, but it is possible. If you are determined to paddle in the snow at least once in your life, make sure you wear protective clothing from head to toe, and pack a dry bag with extra clothing and first aid essentials.

When choosing a paddling route for your snowy paddle, opt for a short route that stays close to the shore. Carefully monitor the weather, and if it looks like the weather may become severe, or anything more than a light dusting, reschedule your paddling adventure for another day.