5 Reasons For Slacklining In Snow During Winter

Slacklining typically takes a great deal of practice before you get comfortable and getting the balancing and stability thing down pat. But what if you live in an environment that gets cold winters? Can you still slackline during the winter?

Should you? I decided to take a closer look and see what needs to be done to slackline during winter and was surprised to learn that it’s already pretty popular in some parts.

Slacklining is an activity you can still take part in during winter in the snow to keep your skills current and to try a new challenge given the effect that cold temperatures have. Be mindful that the slackline will be slippery and wet given the season but also take into account extra clothing that you may need to wear.

Here are 5 reasons for slacklining in snow during winter.

Your skills won’t get rusty over the winter

Slacklining takes a great deal of time to perfect and get comfortable with. As with many skills, the more we use them the better we get. Conversely the more time we take off between practicing and taking part in it, the more likely we are to lose the skills and then need time to develop them again.

Slacklining is no different and when you add the different aspects of the winter season (snow, cold, ice, water) you might find it actually helps your regular summer slacklining when the elements are more pleasant.

One thing to keep in mind when slacklining in cold wintry weather: You will probably feel compelled to keep moving in order to stay warm so don’t be surprised if you find yourself moving a bit faster on the line than usual.

It’s a new challenge especially with the extra clothing

While the cold temperatures and snow offer a new challenge, the extra clothing and possibly footwear can add to the challenge of slacklining, too. Depending on how cold it is, you might find that you have to bundle up a bit but you may account for the cold in other ways such as using a portable heater which we’ll talk about more below.

As far as footwear goes, you might use your current slacklining shoes if you normally wear them and if not, check out a pair of barefoot style shoes that are both water and winter resistant. That way you protect your feet while also maintaining the feeling of slacklining barefoot.

You don’t need trees and can use a portable no-tree slacklining kit

If you don’t have access to trees or would just prefer to slackline in snow during winter in a specific place, you’re in luck. A portable no-tree slacklining kit can be used to relatively quickly set up a slackline with the snow underneath to help if and when you fall.

Check out this video to see the set up of the no-tree slackline kit and how a well-dressed slackliner deals with the winter snow and cold temperatures while also having fun and wearing big winter boots no less. Make sure to see the crazy amplitude beginning around the 6:58 mark.

You can deal with the weather with a bit of preparation

You can deal with the weather by dressing for the occasion with a coat, hat and gloves but you can also take your feet into consideration too especially if you feel the effects of cold and snow.

If you wear shoes during slacklining, you’re probably one step ahead of the game already because you’re already going to be less worried about protecting your feet than someone who normally goes barefoot. Depending on how cold your winters get, you might need to wear socks and shoes to avoid freezing your feet. But you can also do a few things to help your cause:

• Put a waterproof tarp down below the slackline in case you fall. Make sure it’s big enough to walk on so that your feet stay dry.
• Consider putting a blanket, rug, or bath towels over top of the tarp directly below where you’ll be slacklining as even a tarp can get cold when laying on top of the freezing ground.
• Bring a portable heater if you have one handy and set that up near where you’ll be slacklining to provide some warmth. This is especially helpful if you’ll be slacklining barefoot.

It’s a great reason to get off the couch and go outside

Anyone who has lived in a part of the world that gets cold winters knows that one of the things that makes winter go by quicker and slightly more pleasantly is taking advantage of it when you can. If you look at winter and snow as the worst time of the year, you might be surprised how fun the snow and weather conditions can be when you get out a bit and make the best of it.

Slacklining is no different. It can help us get outside and be more active which can help in another way: If we’re outside keeping busy, we may eat less.

Studies have shown that people tend to put on weight during the winter when they eat and drink more – particularly during the holidays – and get a bit complacent in the process. If you keep slacklining during the winter, it’ll not only get you off the couch, it might motivate you to take advantage of other winter activities that can help you reduce your food intake and burn off some calories too.

Final thoughts

You can still slackline in the winter – weather permitting – by taking the conditions into account and dressing appropriately.

Important to take note is that the slackline is likely to be wet and slippery, certainly more than you are used to. Not to mention the fact that it will feel colder if you’re using bare feet. This can affect you at least mentally if you’re preoccupied with the coldness on your feet and toes while also trying to account for the slipperiness of the slackline.

Don’t forget to care for your slacklining equipment though. Since it’ll likely to get wet from the snow, take it indoors afterwards and dry it off so that the shackles and any other metal parts like your ratchet don’t rust. Also wash your slackline as per manufacturer’s instructions as it’s likely to get wet and possibly dirty too.

Use some WD-40 or other lubricant on the ratchet to keep in lubricated so it doesn’t seize up.

Want to see what slacklining barefoot in the snow looks like? Check out the short video below.