Modular shelters for summer and winter?

This is a very modular shelter capable of both summer and winter, single person up to 6.

http://seekoutside.com/products/ultralight-tipis/little-bug-out-shelter/

I look at my SMD Duo and think, I could just add a pole set and a tarp over the top and it would still be light for a winter tent.

It depends on how much time you have, I'd guess.

I tried modding an old TNF June Bug for winter use many years ago, and ended up causing more long term harm than good to the tent. Of course I sure wish this Backpackinglight existed (or the internet, for that matter) for I didn't really educate myself on how to mod it properly at the time.

One thing to consider is that some tents are simply "MORE DURABLE", and can handle a wider range of weather. Of course these tents/shelters are typically heavier. It does seem me that the more a person tries to create something which does a variety of different things, tradeoffs occur along the way and it may end up being a compromise in every season.

And the summer months can be just as risky as the winter months, depending on where you go. The mid-atlantic thunderstorms here in the States are just as menacing as a wet snow, and must be seriously contemplated during the summer. Tie downs are worthless if the fabric is yanked out from the stitching.

(I still feel grateful bringing a "four" season tent to Burning Man many moons ago. Although it was the summer and quite hot during the days, a freakish wind storm came tearing thru the playa one evening, and we watched the top of a VW camper take off, and many tents get torn up. Our tent barely moved.)

Hammocks can be plenty modular, but at a certain point you run into diminishing returns with the fiddle factor. Small tarp, big tarp, hammock, and bug net are all anyone should need. Skip the small tarp if you're willing to carry some extra ounces in summer.

It really depends on what you mean by "winter". I'm an Ohio native, and Ohio winters are pretty mild compared to a lot of places–I've never needed more than a 3-season type shelter, and I spent many a happy winter night under a poncho/tarp. However, different activities and locals will require significantly different setups–for instance, winter mountaineering above treeline.

I'm a big fan of the Golite SL3 for summer to moderate winter conditions. With all the main and mid-height points pegged out (something like 12+ stakes and lines) it can withstand gusty winds (I've personally been in 50-60 mph gusts) and snow loading quite well, though there is a learning curve associated with it and some people find it too fiddly.

Search for my winterized Scarp 2 thread W/photos.

I made several mods for winter:

1. heavier main pole (greater diameter & wall thickness)
2. crossing poles shortened and moved inside (more complete canopy support)
3. 4 grossgrain loops on fly hem (more stakeout points)
5. pre-made Triptease guy lines (2 for main pole, 2 for ends, with Line-Loc sliders)
6. SMC snow stakes as well as any necessary dead men for the guy lines

With these mods I think it can take a lot of wind (up to 60 mph) and heavy, wet snow.

SUMMER MODE:
original main pole & (usually) no Xing poles
MSR Groundhog stakes (6)

P.S. I have the ripstop inner. If it proves too warm in summer I'll get the mesh inner.

Yes it depends on your winters but this is my Notch using the same 6 stake configuration as the standard as delivered TT version (4 plus the 2 guylines) under a foot or so of wet snow.
Mine has a mesh inner , the "solid" one would be better with spindrift, still mine worked as it is