Technical Abstract: Avena sativa (L), or common cultivated oat, has the poorest winter hardiness among the small grain cereals. Marker-assisted selection for improved winter survival in oat is difficult, as the number of SSR markers available in this species is limited. The objectives of this research were to increase the number of SSR markers on the ‘Fulghum’ x ‘Norline’ recombinant inbred population genetic map, and to scan for QTL associated with winter hardiness component traits, including winter field survival, crown freezing tolerance, vernalization response, and heading date. SSR markers were developed from ‘Kanota’ and ‘Ogle’ genomic DNA libraries that were enriched for eight microsatellite motifs. New primers were evaluated for amplification, reproducibility, and polymorphism in 11 oat lines. SSRs showing high-quality polymorphism between Fulghum and Norline were subsequently examined in 128 recombinant inbred lines. 70 new markers were added to the Fulghum x Norline recombinant inbred population, which consisted of 4 SNPs, 1 Caps, and 65 SSR markers. Phenotypic data for winter hardiness component traits in the population were obtained in field and controlled chamber experiments. All previously mapped markers and new SSR markers were evaluated and QTL identified. Marker loci on linkage group FN3 accounted for multiple QTL associated with winter hardiness component traits. The markers found to be associated with winter hardiness will further assist breeders in selecting for winter hardy oats.