Hiking during the winter can be fun as long as you prepare with these tips.

4 Dress in layers. While it is perhaps nice to have a huge, fluffy parka on the ski slopes, it really isn’t practical for the trail. Instead, take several layers you can peel off or put on when you stop and go on the trail. The base layer should be a wicking fabric that will pull sweat away from the skin. Overheating is a dangerous threat since excessive moisture that isn’t allowed to escape can freeze and cause hypothermia.

4 Wear a hat! Our heads are filled with oxygen-carrying capillaries which fuel our brains and consume one third of the body’s energy. During the colder months it is important to keep the head covered to maintain function and not lose precious body heat.

4 Keep water bottles warm. Whether at the campsite or on the trail, a foam sleeve like a koozie will help prevent the water from freezing in a bottle. Also, to keep water from freezing, keep your water bottle on the inside of your jacket — properly sealed, of course.

4 Don’t toss the sunscreen. While this is most important if you are hiking in a snowy region, winter hikers often forget about the sun’s glare reflecting off white snow.

4 Be prepared for shorter days. Dusk settles earlier and more quickly than in the summer. Have a good idea of the usable daylight hours before going hiking. Always carry a headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries.

— American Hiking Society