Winter trail running is a mystical experience that demands respect and the right gear: without micro-spikes and gaiters, it isn’t running—it’s figure skating (and it’s very dangerous).
- Running on snow requires specific micro-spikes, not just standard trail shoes.
- Gaiters are fundamental to keep snow out of your shoes and prevent freezing feet.
- Technique changes: short steps, low center of gravity, and trust in your gear.
- Safety is the priority: space blanket, keep your phone warm, and never go alone in remote areas.
- It is crucial to know when to quit and turn back if conditions worsen.
The Silence of the Snowy Woods: The Best Part of Trail Running
There is a specific moment when you enter the woods and the sound of your footsteps changes. It stops being the dry thud-thud on packed dirt and becomes a muffled hush. Everything around you is white, sounds are dampened, and the air is so cold it feels like drinking ice water with every breath.
Running on snowy trails isn’t just sport; it’s exploration. It’s about reclaiming that sense of wonder we had as kids.
However, the mountain in winter is not a city park. The beauty is directly proportional to the risk: ice hides under fresh powder, temperatures can plummet in minutes, and the grip of your trusty trail shoes might not be enough.
To enjoy the magic without ending up in the ER, you need the right equipment.
Never Without Grip: A Guide to Running Micro-Spikes
If you think deep lugs are enough, you are wrong. On packed snow or black ice, rubber doesn’t hold. You need metal.
Trail running micro-spikes are lightweight chains with steel points that slip over your running shoes. These aren’t mountaineering crampons (the rigid ones with long spikes), but a flexible version designed specifically for running.
- How to choose them: They must fit perfectly. If they are loose, you will lose them in the snow or trip; if they are too tight, they will hurt your feet and restrict circulation.
- When to put them on: The golden rule is anticipate. Don’t wait until you are halfway up an icy slope, shivering, to try and pull them on. As soon as the terrain becomes mixed or icy, put them on.
- The feeling: At first, you will feel strange, as if you have metal “heels.” But after a few yards, you will feel a grip that gives you massive confidence.
Dry (or Warm) Feet: Gaiters, Socks, and Waterproofing
The number one enemy in winter trail running isn’t the cold—it’s moisture.
You can have the best Gore-Tex shoes in the world, but if snow gets in “from the top” via the ankle, you will end up with wet, freezing feet in five minutes.
The solution is called a gaiter. It is an often-underestimated accessory that covers the laces and ankle, sealing the shoe.
Pair it with merino wool socks (which keep you warm even when wet), and you have a bombproof system. Remember: better a wet but warm foot (merino) than a seemingly dry foot that is freezing because the shoe is too tight and blocking blood flow.
Technique: Short Stride, Low Center of Gravity (Trust the Spikes)
Running with micro-spikes requires adaptation.
While on the road we seek fluidity and push-off, here we seek stability.
- Shorten the stride: You must increase your cadence. Short steps mean the foot spends less time on the ground, giving you more chances to correct a slip.
- Flat landing: Try to land with a flat foot so all the spikes bite into the ice simultaneously.
- Low center of gravity: Bend your knees slightly more. Lowering your center of gravity makes you more stable.
We discussed this in our general guide on how to run on snow, but on the trail, the gradient makes everything more extreme. On descents, trust the grip: if you try to brake too much by leaning back, that is exactly when you fall on your butt. In general, however, avoid icy descents that are too steep.
Safety: The “Turn Back Before You Get Cold” Rule
Winter trail running does not forgive improvisation.
In summer, if you twist an ankle, you wait for help in the warmth. In winter, hypothermia arrives fast.
- Never alone: Or if you must, communicate exactly where you are going and when you will return.
- Survival Pack: Always carry an extra windbreaker/waterproof shell, spare gloves, and the mandatory space blanket (that little silver sheet that weighs nothing and saves lives).
- Battery: Cold kills phone batteries. Keep it in an internal pocket, close to your body heat, not in your backpack. To be certain of coverage, you can also opt for a satellite communicator (like a Garmin InReach), but keep it warm regardless.
And remember the most important rule of the mountain: the summit (or the end of the trail) is optional; getting home is mandatory. If the snow is too deep or the weather turns, turning around is an act of intelligence, not weakness.