An early version of this article first appeared in SOFREP in February 2014 as an expert analysis written by Jonathan Wade, a Canadian Forces veteran and a previously contributing editor for SOFREP. This part 1 of 3 Winter Warfare Training series has been augmented with additional information and updated for publication today.

Winter warfare is a specialized field within military operations, and few countries understand its intricacies, as well as Canada.

With a significant portion of its territory covered in snow and ice for most of the year, Canada’s military has developed unparalleled expertise in fighting in harsh winter conditions.