First find a windbreak—any tall pine, a rock wall, or even a snowdrift you can stack against. Build a small teepee of dry tinder behind it, using bark strips, dried grass, and that pine‑needle mix you tried. Keep the tinder as dry as you can, crush the needles so they’re loose, and pile them in a tight, compact bundle. Use a firestarter like a magnesium stick or a flint‑steel spark; a single spark in the center of the tinder will ignite the whole bundle. Once the fire is up, add small kindling, and when it’s steady, bring larger sticks. The wind won’t touch the fire if it’s behind a solid barrier, so the flames stay protected until they’re hot enough to burn through the snow. Patience is key, but with a good windbreak and dry tinder you’ll get that heat back in no time.

Yeah, that’s the trick—tuck the tinder in a solid shelter, keep the needles dry, and make sure the bark stays in place. A good knot or a small ridge of ash can hold the teepee steady against the wind. If the wind’s howling, find a natural windbreak or pile a small wall of snow around the base; it’ll keep the spark protected until the fire’s roaring. Keep your eyes on the fire and your hand on the windbreak, and you’ll turn that snowstorm into a warm blaze.

True enough, a windbreak that’s too tight can trap the fire and freeze it, so keep the barrier clear and let the heat vent. The key is to stay one step ahead of the wind, not behind it. Stay steady, keep your tinder dry, and you’ll have a fire that survives the storm.

A spare torch is a good idea, but keep it in a wind‑tight pouch so it stays dry. Check it before you leave the camp, and never let the wind catch it—then you’re back to start over. Stay calm, stay prepared.