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Which tent would be best for two or three people on a ski tour trip ? It seems an LBO might be on the small side for winter gear. Would a 6 or 8 tipi or BCS2 be a better choice ? Is it better to dig out a spot, or consolidate a pad for the tent ?

An LBO with Vestibule would be fine for two people, especially if you stored some gear outside. If you run a stove you'd need the three piece vestibule at minimum I would think, and I would prefer to take the two bases with a connecting tarp personally and run a stove in the middle.

The BCS2 should be plenty big for 2-3 depending on how much personal space is needed, whether gear is inside or outside, and whether a stove is used. A 6-8 man would be luxurious.

Kevin will have to answer the snow question as I don't live in snow country, but I imagine he will say it depends on the snow depth and conditions whether to consolidate or dig.

For 3 people, go with at minimum the six man. Winter gear takes up a lot of space.

3 in the BCS is doable, but can be very tight.

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Sounds like a 6 or maybe a plush 8 man setup. I guess with snow it depends more on the snow itself. What is the best stake ?

Focusing a lot on weight reduction in the winter can be counter productive, other than just the challenge of it. Ironically, I had a discussion with a customer today, looking to do more winter camping and it was focused on the same tents really. While honestly anything from an LBO double base, to an 8 man will work they each have some benefits and some drawbacks depending on your style and expectations. If you plan to dig out, and only have two people, the LBO double base is a pretty nice winter setup, where digging out an 8 man is a lot more work. Much depends on snow consistency and your location. IMO, a 6 man is a nice in between for three people, certainly not the luxury of an 8, but work able.

As far as stakes, the tough stake is a really nice sand or snow stake, but expensive. Sticks, ski's deadmans can all work. If you get down to bare ground, nails or even concrete screws work well. There are just a lot of variables. Honestly, around here, I would probably take 4 tough stakes, several nails, a shovel, a good knife and some utility line. The snow could be 1 ft , or 5 ft of cotton candy just depending.

Anyone have a comment on snowloads for these tents? We would purchase to use in Utah, Montana, Washington, BC as a basecamp for backcountry ski trips.

With the tipi you can use the guy outs and pitch it a bit smaller and achieve almost vertical walls at the edge which allows snow to run off.

With the BCS the sides are very steep but you have to maintain the rear. As long as you knock it off the rear it does very well.

LBO does pretty well as well.

Well the type of tent depends on running season and place where you want to stay. However based on your route, time of year, latitudinal location and, of course, forecaster weather patterns one needs to choose their gear accordingly. So during the cool or ski weather I prefer North Face Rock 22 Bx Tent. It provided a comfortable setting for 2 or 3 persons. Fly and floor fabric features a PU coating and taped seams to protect you and your gear from wet weather. Hope you guys have some idea about this tent and like to share your personal experiences with me.