Lapland holiday, what do I need to pack?

[Wagsandclaws]

I'm literally beside myself with excitement...

I've just booked a three night trip via Canterbury travel to Lapland Luosto resort for DH, Ds12 and Ds8. It's the first time the boys have been abroad and on a plane so we are so very excited as we have saved for a long time for this.

Has anybody who's been before got any suggestions for us as to what to pack? We will need gloves hat Ect Ect as they just provide a warm suit and boots I think? Which clothes should we take? Anything special for the evening ( it's only a buffet so fairly informal ).

As we will be in the hotel and I run hot anyway I think just normal nightclothes yes?

Any tips would be much appreciated as it's a first for us and I understand at the beginning of December it's very cold! TIA

Lots of spare socks and gloves for layering and for when things get wet.

Torches & spare batteries (batteries deplete quickly in the cold).

Normal nightclothes, hotels will be warm.

Thermal underwear, with full length arms and legs.

Normal clothes to wear over that. Tracksuit-type stuff rather than jeans, for comfort with all the layers. You'll want to take the outer layers off when you go in for meals or whatever. Restaurants have big cloakrooms where you can hang them.

Lots of warm socks.

We wore cycling gloves under our double-layered outer mittens; I generally don't mind the cold much but I would have struggled without the extra hand layers.

Fleece balaclavas. You can buy those in the shops at Santa Village if you don't get them in time.

My DS needed stick-on heated foot warmers in his boots, as well as extra socks. He was in real pain with the cold till we got them. You can pick them up at the tills in the shops in Santa Village.

We were there in January and it went down to -32c; I don't think December gets that cold.

Alcohol! It's v v expensive and fruit as they don't seem to have much fresh stuff.

Thanks all, I think we might give alcohol a swerve - it's only 3 nights anyway but I've heard it's expensive.

I think we will need a lot of socks and mittens by the sounds of it!

Ooh how exciting! I haven't been to lapland but have been to Russia in the winter during a cold snap -23!

My breath froze on my scarf.

When do you get the "warm suit"? I would personally be packing long down jackets and snow boots for all as us and many layers. Remember the walk from the

The worst part for me was how my skin reacted to the cold in a livid bright red rash (like an allergy) so take some decent moisturiser and steroid cream.

Hope you have a fab time!

Although you know you need to take gloves, the things we wear in winter in the UK won’t cut it. You need proper full on skiing gloves.

The hotel will likely be very warm all the time and normal clothes for inside are fine, but don’t underestimate what you will need outside. Unlike you I’m a chilly person, but I needed fleece tights and long Johns under skiing trousers, and then the warm suits that they give you. The suits they give you aren’t a replacement for your own cold weather stuff, they are an addition, because it really is that cold!

Wahhh really!? I have been on decathlon this morning having a browse and I was hoping to get away with base layers, gloves socks Ect but not have to buy a Ski jacket, salopettes ect.

I mean my feet get bloody cold so I was going to wear cashmere socks with the ski socks but it's hard to know what you have to take as I don't want to get cold nor the boys. I've put fleece ski balaclavas on the list though.

We didn’t take any special ski wear. Just normal warm clothes under the snow suits provided.

We did this exact holiday with Canterbury.
You need:
Thermals plus another layer eg tracksuit bottoms and a fleece or jumper. Then wear your hired suit and boots.
Christmas jumper for the gala dinner
Normal PJs in room- it’s very warm.
Socks- Normal followed by ski
Gloves- inner - silk/ wool then waterproof/ ski- lots of sets as get wet
Hats and snoods
Warm coat and snow/ walking boots/ even wellies- to travel in as they take your boots and suit off you in resort.

Loads of snacks- especially if picky kids. Food not great. I would pay for the better a la carte restaurant if I went again. Check re Brexit food rules though!
Alcohol very expensive! We bought a bottle of wine so a glass before dinner and Baileys for hot chocolate.

Look out for Aldi and Lidl ski specials for gloves, thermals, fleeces and socksetc. We had a lot cabin apartment with a washing machine and clothes drying cupboard so we did not have to take a set for every day- however we stayed a week do you will not need as much. Invest in good snow boots.

I have done this and company we went with provided snow boots, snow suit, gloves.

In our hotel it was very hot so layers were useful, outside it was incredibly cold and thermals and thermal socks useful. We found it useful to have a cheap pair of snow boots each to walk to and from collection point and took own ski gloves. Meals wear whatever you like, just casualwear.

We also took some squash and snacks as food and drink are very expensive there and huge luggage allowance. Have a lovely time.

And be prepared for your hair and eyelashes to freeze solid and snap off. That caught us by surprise

I was too hot there most of the time tbh! Took all the thermal base layers, fleeces etc but once you put one of those all in one snow suits on you’re fine!

I’d suggest buffs (those snood type scarves, as they can be pulled up over your face to keep your mouth and nose warm if needed, or scrunched around the neck, used as a hair band etc, so very versatile.

We took waterproof phone cases but wasn’t awfully necessary, also little duck and snowman snowball makers, that was fun for about 5 mins!

Food is v expensive so I’d definitely take a load of snacks so that you can treat them without breaking the bank!

Tbh i have no idea how much to pack as it's only 3 nights and 4 days, I assume you can wear baselayers a couple of times as long as you have clean undies Ect?

Thanks for the advice , I'm so looking forward to it we are flying out from Manchester airport despite living in Somerset as it was only 25 mins further than going from Stanstead.

Canterbury said that everyone that was due to go last year has transferred to this year hence why there were hardly any places left, I would have preferred to stay in a log cabin but they were sold out so we are going to stay in the hotel

We did a Lapland day trip in 2019 so slightly different. We all wore thermal base layers and normal clothes then the suit and boots on top. They provided thick hats if you needed one and fur mittens (to go over your own gloves). You suit up at the airport as the first thing you do on arrival. I was so warm! I had a buff/gaiter as PP suggested (goes round your neck and pulls up over your nose/mouth) which was invaluable.
Be prepared for very few hours of daylight! I think the sun set at about 2pm when we were there (mid-December). It's a magical trip though, really really special.

Get mittens for the kids rather than gloves- nightmare getting wet gloves off. Get them a cpl fleece balaclavas too. Easier than scarfs.

I took 100 denier tights and primark leggings. Got long sleeved primark tops and then a jumper. When I went it was -15 and those layers were fine.

Pair of normal socks then wool socks too- we bought our own snow boots.

The snow suits are v v warm. As in you have 30 seconds to leave your hotel before you melt warm.

It’s amazing, wish I was going again. We also flew from Manchester, even the flight was amazing!

I worked as an elf for Canterbury in Luosto about twenty five years ago. Things have probably changed a bit - those Santa holidays were in their infancy then - but snacks snacks snacks and more snacks is my best tip.

Clothes wise, get the best gloves you can find. The suits they give you are toasty, but your hands will freeze if you only take regular gloves. I had to wear stupid thin white gloves with my costume and it’s a wonder I still have fingers.

It was minus 27 when we were there but that is exceptionally cold for there in December and at that temp we were cold outside in snowsuit plus thermals and camera froze so we had to keep moving and take our youngest inside to warm up. Its an amazing trip and most of the time you are inside where it feels tropical, maybe the contrast but felt like t short and shorts weather inside. We preferred being in hotel as a pool and playcentre and also could go out. Very few daylight hours but it is all planned around that. You will all love it.

The foot warmers mentioned earlier are a godsend. Definitely take those (don't buy them there). You can get hand ones too which are also well worth it. Can you borrow thermals/ski socks from friends who ski? I've happily lent my sets to friends before, as it's mad to buy things for single use. If you do end up buying, you'll probably be able to sell on afterwards.

I'd also second taking buffs/balaclavas. Much better than a scarf. Get a fleece lined one and make sure it's tucked in around your neck.

The cold is a shock at first - frozen nose hair and eyelashes etc - but you get used to it. Just wear lots of layers, good socks and good gloves.

Buy silk glove liners and silk long socks from Decathlon ( not expensive). Layer fleece or wool ski socks on top ( ski socks can be itchy and may annoy your kids ).

Alsi and Lidl sell merino thermal underwear - leggings and long sleeved tops. These can be worn for days without smelling ( unlike the polyester ones ).

I usually put a thin uniqlo heat tech top / leggings underneath as the wool can be itchy. Much more comfortable than tights.

Decathlon also have fleece joggers which are great.

Don’t take ANYTHING cotton ( expect perhaps PJs or joggers to wear inside only ) . All clothes need to be man made fabrics ( like fleece / polyester) or wool / silk. Cotton gives no warmth and will chafe when wet ( you will perspire inside your snow suit ).

A buff to pull up over your mouth and nose can be useful ( again not cotton ).

Uniqlo do great thermal underwear that’s cheaper than merino and works well but will need washed after a few days. Will probably so for your trip of 3-4 days.

Keep your camera / mobile in an inside jacket pocket as the cold drains the battery very quickly.

Take very high factor sun cream and lipsalve. Cream not the clear spray on stuff.

Oooo great advice thank you. I was going to buy some decathlon fleece balaclavas but the whole 'buff' thing sounds more interesting and warm!

Whenever I've been out in the snow in the U.K. and there has been any wind my face gets this awful red blotchy rash that lasts for days and goes all scaly eventually, I especially will have to wear something to cover most of my face so thanks so much for the advice!

Would a merino wool buff suffice or does that need to be man made fibres too?

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/adult-silk-ski-liner-socks/_/R-p-6000

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/black-silk-trek-500-mountain-trekking-liner-gloves/_/R-p-14734?mc=8396267&c=BLACK

I think these are the fleece trousers / leggings we bought . Decathlon adult sizes come up very small IME.

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-mountain-trekking-fleece-tights-trek-100/_/R-p-12325?mc=8227508&c=BLACK

I forgot to say that you need good quality sports sunglasses ( NOT fashion specs ) like these , especially for your kids.

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/children-s-hiking-sunglasses-ages-9-11-category-4-mh-t550/_/R-p-161974?mc=8587965&c=BLACK

They have cute ones for toddlers too

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-hiking-sunglasses-mh-k120-aged-2-4-category-4/_/R-p-181971?mc=8485740&c=WHITE

These don’t fall down ( unlike buffs ) so good for kids. Obviously you wear it under a hat and hood

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-ski-balaclava-ninja-blue-stripe/_/R-p-325179?mc=8585998&c=MULTI-COLOUR

And no I don’t have shares in decathlon - I just found them the cheapest for good quality and of course they are online .

You don’t want to spend a fortune when it’s a one off.

we go this year too so following with interest 😁😁 very excited!

If your kids complain as much as mine they won’t like a merino buff next to their skin.

Merino / wool is perfect for everything as long as you find it confortable. It’s just cotton you need to avoid, especially t shirts, sweat shirts and joggers under the snow suit. They are too bulky as well - you want several thin layers not one thick one.

Micro fleece and ski base layers are good. The snow suits they give you are very bulky.