A new gameplay mechanic in Sons of the Forest is the addition of full seasons. They add an extra layer of challenge to the survival experience, especially for veterans of the first game. With the changing seasons come new hurdles to overcome. Winter can be particularly brutal: resources are scarcer, the weather is harsher, and enemies more numerous. Preparation is key, as the cold days arrive faster than you might like. Here are all the essentials you need to get through winter in Sons of the Forest without a hitch.
Sons of the Forest winter duration: seasons and day length explained
Season length depends on the options you choose when creating your save. With the default settings, winter starts on day eleven. Before that you’ll experience the warm summer, followed by the colourful autumn. As soon as the trees turn red and yellow, it’s time to prepare for winter.
You can adjust the length of the seasons to:
- 3 days
- 5 days (default)
- 10 days
- 90 days
You can also tweak day length if the default feels too short. We only recommend this for more experienced players who have already put in some time. It can be a fun change of pace to give yourself more time while also upping the difficulty.
Day length options:
- 38 minutes
- 76 minutes (1 hour 16 minutes, default)
- 4 hours
- 24 hours
With the default settings, a full in-game year takes 20 days, which works out to roughly 25 hours of gameplay. You’ll therefore spend a little over 6 in-game hours in winter. Decide for yourself whether that’s too short or too long; for beginners, we suggest leaving the defaults as they are. You probably don’t want your winter to last 90 days — though it could make for an interesting challenge!
Staying warm in winter: clothing, torch, and heating your base
Your biggest enemy in winter is the weather itself. Your character gets cold quickly, and falling snow also leaves you wet — not a great combination. The indicator in the bottom-left corner will warn you when you’re not doing well. You’ll also notice in the bottom-right HUD circle that your stamina is reduced. The colder and wetter you are, the more of the bar is blocked off. Other aspects are affected too, including your aim: if you’re shivering, you’ll struggle to keep a weapon steady.
For basic warmth, craft a torch. You only need a stick, some cloth, and your lighter. Holding it in your hand and lighting it will help you recover from being wet and cold. Keep it equipped while you’re outdoors.
For a more permanent boost, seek out the winter jacket. It was moved in a recent update and can now be found in one of the huts on the golf course in the northeast of the island. It provides the best warmth of any clothing item in the game, though it’s less comfortable and not very water-resistant. You can wear something else if you prefer — just pay attention to the stats shown in your inventory.
Finally, we recommend fully enclosing your house and building a campfire inside. In real life, don’t do this — but in Sons of the Forest it’s perfectly fine to heat your home with a cosy fire. After a long day outside, at least your base will be warm. Dry off by the fire regularly to reduce cold and wetness.
Food and water in winter: fishing, cooking, and securing supplies
The second challenge in winter is sourcing food and water. Thankfully, it’s easier than you might think — and you’re not alone. Kelvin can be a big help in winter survival.
For water, we recommend setting up near a flowing river. While many lakes freeze over in winter, you can still drink from streams and rivers. You should also print a flask at a 3D printer in a bunker so you can carry water with you.
You won’t go hungry either. Ask Kelvin to catch fish in the same river; this continues to work well in winter, while many other animals hide and are harder to find. Moose are also a great source of meat. Use drying racks to make meat last longer.
Start cooking once you’ve found a cooking pot. Some recipes grant a warmth boost, including cooked instant ramen, jam, chicken soup, and eggnog. Plan ahead, as many plants and berries are rarer in winter.
More winter tips: mutants, building on ice, bunkers, and the sled
Beyond warmth and provisions, winter brings further challenges — but also opportunities to enjoy some of Sons of the Forest’s more playful elements. Here are a few final tips to make the most of the cold days and avoid common pitfalls.
- In winter you won’t be able to find small and medium stones. Kelvin can help here too if you ask him to gather them.
- Unfortunately, cold weather also attracts more mutants intent on harassing your base. Fortify accordingly and secure the area with traps (e.g. Fly Swatter Trap or Bone Maker Trap).
- When lakes freeze in winter, you can walk — and even build — on the ice. When spring arrives and the ice melts, your base will effectively float above the lake.
- If you’re too cold, take a trip to one of the island’s many bunkers. Even better, build your base directly over an entrance so you can warm up inside.
- For 1,000 ml of Printer Resin, you can 3D‑print a sled. It makes winter in Sons of the Forest twice as much fun.
Conclusion: how to survive winter in Sons of the Forest
With the new seasonal system, Sons of the Forest has become tougher overall. Winter in particular can give first-time players a hard time, so prepare accordingly. Use torches to keep warm, track down a winter jacket, and have Kelvin gather food. There are fun touches as well, from the sled to cannibals slipping and sliding across frozen lakes.
Rent your Sons of the Forest server and brave the winter with friends. It’s even more fun together, and you can keep each other warm!
