Gear
Snow pegs for tents
Larger aluminium pegs with flanges that anchor a tent in snow — shape details, attachment knots, and why you should also learn to pack deadmen of snow.
Standard tent pegs do not work in snow — they simply slide through and hold nothing. Snow pegs are wider, have larger flanges, and can be used as “anchors” in snow by burying them horizontally and packing them with snow that is hard-packed so it holds.
For a trip to a cabin or a vehicle camp in winter, snow pegs are often unnecessary (you pitch on firm ground). For a tent trip in snow they are obligatory — without them your tent will not hold in a near-gale.
Construction
Aluminium is the standard — light, strong, bends without breaking. Weight: 30–60 g each.
Shape: a long flat plate (typically 20–25 cm long) with flanges or slots for attaching the line. A hole or slot at one end for pulling the peg out afterwards.
Classic manufacturers: MSR Cyclone, Toughstake, Hilleberg DAC V-stake, Helsport snøplugg, Bergans vinterplugg. Price 50–150 kr each.
Two ways to use them
Vertical drive-in: in hard-packed snow or a hard crust a snow peg can be pushed in vertically like an ordinary peg. The line is attached to the top as usual.
Horizontal “deadman”: in soft snow the peg is buried horizontally, ~25–40 cm deep, with the line attached at the middle of the peg. The snow is packed hard over and around it — after a few minutes it has frozen into an effective anchor. Also called a “dødmann”.
For a winter tent the deadman method is more reliable in most conditions. Take the time to pack the snow hard — a loose deadman will not hold in a near-gale.
Number — how many?
A 2-person tent typically has 6–8 pegs:
- 4 main corners
- 2–4 guy lines for wind stability
For winter use all of these must be snow pegs or something that can work in snow:
- 6–8 snow pegs for the main anchoring
- 2–4 extra for guy lines or in case you have to move the tent
For groups or storm-exposed terrain — consider packing 12+ pegs.
Alternatives in an emergency
If you have forgotten or lost your snow pegs:
- Ski poles or ordinary skis can serve as horizontal anchors, but are then not available for other purposes
- Stones (if available) can be used with a line tied around them
- A rope with a tied-on stone or pack filled with snow, buried and packed
- Bamboo sticks or wood (if you can find any) — use as deadmen
Packing
Snow pegs are typically packed in a fabric tube together with the tent. Weight: 6–8 pegs = 200–400 g.
For a light trip you can swap aluminium pegs for carbon pegs to save 30–50 % weight — but they are more fragile and cost a great deal more. For an ordinary Norwegian winter trip aluminium is the standard.
Maintenance
Check for bends after hard use. Bent pegs can often be straightened by pressing them gently against your knee — but a deformed peg holds less well.
Rinse with fresh water after exposure to the sea. Aluminium does not rust, but a thick layer of salt can make them sticky in snow.
Text: Snuitide (2026), based on the technical documentation of MSR and Hilleberg, together with experience from Norwegian winter tent trips.