It seems I do way more backpacking in the winter than the summer. Your guess is as good as mine as to why. When you have feet of snow a normal tent stake does not work. Since I have a Hilleberg Soulo tent, I figured why not try their winter tent stakes.
They are about 1′ x 1.5″ and make a huge difference in the snow. They can be used two ways, sure they are designed to be put in sideways buried in the snow.
Now me I use them both ways, if the snow is hard enough I place them like traditional stakes.
I then use my snowshoes and ski poles as additional points for the tent.
These have been great for the last 3 winters I have used them. I have had them in howling winds and dumps of snow with no problems.
I think MSR makes identical looking stakes, but I have had great luck with these Hilleberg Snow and Sand Pegs.
Hilleberg Says: http://us.hilleberg.com/EN/tent/tent-accessories/
Lightweight, tough and remarkably versatile, our Snow & Sand pegs are unique. After finding most so-called snow pegs to be too soft – they would bend in any but the fluffiest snow – we developed our own. Made from hardened aluminum, our Snow Pegs are built to withstand both very hard usage, including the inevitable contact with shovels, crampons and other winter gear, and very hard snow. At the same time, they are remarkably lightweight. The integrated line and hook gives you the flexibility either to bury the peg sideways in snow or sand, Deadman style, or to use it in a traditional, upright fashion.
• 31 cm x 3 cm/12.2″ x 1.2″ • 50 g/1.8 oz • Set of 6 pegs and XP carrying bag •