Smoking outside in winter can be a magical experience, no matter where you live. There’s something about how the aromatic cigar smoke drifts away on cold, crisp air that you just don’t get in the summer months.

Smoking in the winter isn’t a complete wonderland. You have to contend with rain, snow, darker nights, and keeping warm. It’s not all about you, either. You must also consider the impact of cold weather on your cigars, as humidity control is crucial to get a smooth, enjoyable smoke from your stick.

In this guide, we’ll look at some options for smoking cigars during the holidays, from a warm winter smoking shelter or cigar lounge to portable humidors that protect your smokes until you’re ready to light up.

Smoking indoors is one way to stay out of the cold and keep inclement weather from affecting your sticks. Many cigar aficionados smoke inside anyway, which makes winter no big deal. You might have a favorite room to smoke in, or a warm and cozy space where you can enjoy a cigar paired with your favorite food and drink.

If you prefer to keep cigar smoke out of the house, a winter smoking shelter in the yard is one option. Options include simple tents and open-fronted wooden shelters, as well as fully-enclosed steel cabins. You can even DIY a one-person garden smoking room if you’re confident in your construction skills.

Another alternative is to join a local cigar lounge. These establishments offer a safe space to enjoy your top-shelf cigars, watch a game, and talk to fellow tobacco enthusiasts. Familiarize yourself with cigar lounge etiquette to ensure you feel right at home and find a friendly welcome.

Remember, you don’t have to smoke all your cigars indoors. You can mix it up with some outdoor smokes when the weather allows. But joining a cigar lounge or building a smoking shelter will mean you’re ready on the days when smoking outside is off the cards.

Smoking outside in the winter can be a way to get out of the house and enjoy your favorite pastime. However, comfort is key, so there are a few things to consider.

If the weather is particularly unpleasant, look for a sheltered place to smoke. An open-fronted winter smoking shelter can act as a windbreak without completely enclosing you. Smoking downwind of a wall, fence, or tree can also work in a pinch.

Patio heaters burning propane or butane can offer warmth, as can outdoor electric heat lamps. A wood- or coal-burning fire pit can also give off plenty of heat while adding to the ambiance of smoking outside in winter.

If you live in an area with low winter temperatures, warm clothing is a must. Choose thermally lined clothes, plenty of layers, or battery-powered heated garments that will help to keep you feeling almost as toasty as the cherry on your cigar.

All of this will determine how long you want to be outside and smoking. The next step is choosing a cigar to match. Think about the vitolas you choose and how long they will take to smoke: up to 50 minutes for a Corona or Robusto, around 60 minutes for a Toro or Gordo, and 70+ minutes for a Churchill or Double Corona. The last thing you want to do is waste some of your stogie because the weather chased you back indoors.

Cold weather can affect humidity in unexpected ways. It’s not always true to say that colder air is damp. In fact, the opposite can be the case.

That’s because of the dew point—the temperature at which excess water vapor in the air begins to condense as liquid water. The dew point depends on the temperature and relative humidity of the air, which is why it’s important to store cigars properly, especially in cold weather.

Good cigar humidors will keep your collection at the sweet spot of 65-72% relative humidity, but you should check on your cigar stash more often when the weather outside is at its most changeable.

In most cases, there’s no need to change the settings on your humidor, as it should already be maintaining the ideal temperature and humidity. However, there are some good habits to get into.

Just like you shouldn’t leave the refrigerator door open on a hot day, you also shouldn’t leave a cigar humidor open on a cold day. This puts your cigars at risk of drying out, so keep the lid closed as much as possible.

Materials can shrink when it’s cold out, which can affect the airtight seal around the humidor lid. Check this for any signs that it does not fit properly. Keeping your humidor at the right humidity level again helps to counter this.

Finally, consider picking up a portable humidor if you plan to smoke outside in winter. This should keep your cigars from drying out in the hours before you light them. Travel humidors typically hold 5-15 sticks, although you can get larger sizes for winter weekend road trips.