Skiing people, help me out with arctic clothing?

[VenusClapTrap]

I’ve booked a trip to Tromso with 11yo dd the week before Christmas, to see the Northern Lights (hopefully). I’m not a skier so I haven’t a clue about outfits. It could go down to about -10 degrees, so we need to be properly clad. Any advice? I do know about base layer, mid layer and then some kind of ski suit, but there’s such a range, especially with outer layers - all in one? Separates? I have a very good North Face parka, so I think I’m sorted coat wise, but what to do about legs? And dd seems to be too big for kids ranges but too small for adults.

We won’t be skiing, it’s more mooching about and sightseeing, and we’re getting the Hurtigruten down to Trondheim so I’d like to be able to go out on deck and not freeze to death.

Any recommendations welcome. Thanks.

Check out the skiing topic on here.. lots of recommendations.

Is the trip organised and do they provide any outerwear?

Aldi / Lidl / Ebay all good for second hand and online Sports Direct, Decathlon and Mountain Hardwear.

11 is not too big for kids stuff... usually go up to age 16.

A wind and waterproof padded jacket with a hood
Ski trousers - in my experience, don't need to be too fussy about these.

Ski underlayers (for you, if you are likely to wear them again, merino are the best but any brand will do).
Socks... despite how many people recommend 'technical' socks.. for me I have always found the highest percentage thick wool socks the best.
Hat, snood
Glove lines and very warm gloves and possibly single use hand warmers which are an environment disaster but useful in very low temperature, we have used them in -25 to -32

Mid layer.. decent fleece without a hood.

Boots.. I think this is where a good pair of boots is wise. We live in near the alps so can justify investing.

Ask friends to borrow if you can.. buy and then resell on Ebay before half term ski holidays.

Have a wondeful time.. I would love to see the Northern lights.

I've been to Tromso, ski gear will not cut it if you're planning on being out at night Minus 10 is a very conservative estimate, I went in February, it was -15 during the day and more like -25 when the sun went down. I went on a reindeer safari and it was -35 on that particular night. I wore my own snow boots on that occasion and came back with the beginnings of frost bite on one of my feet (a clearly demarcated area of pure white skin on my foot).

I would look for polar grade equipment. You will need boots with plenty of space in the toe box, it traps warm air inside the boot. Quality wool socks are essential. Technical fabrics are great but the Norwegians use a lot of natural fibres. I was given a Norwegian army surplus jumper when I tried up in ski gear for the reindeer safari, the organisers knew what they were doing and must of thought I was bonkers when I turned down the offer of a loaned pair of boots, I wish I'd taken them up on it.

A snood to cover your face is as essential as a hat and gloves.

It's an amazing place and I would go back in a heart beat, it was my favourite holiday ever. Make sure you go to the museum in Tromso, it's fascinating.

I meant to say it is perfectly possible to have great fun outdoors in those temperatures if yo are properly dressed.

Do some dog sledding if that's your thing and you get the chance.

Have a great time, I'm very envious.

Hello! I live in Trondheim so I can help 😊😊
Minus 10 is a very conservative estimate! It was minus 4 here last night. Also be prepared for disappointment with the lights as December is when the snow starts and there are often heavy skies.

Clothes wise, you should wear merino wool as your first layer, both leggings and top. Google Kari Traa, that is my absolute favourite. Wool socks, sometimes I wrest merino wool socks, then thicker wool over the top.
Wool next to the skin will keep you warmest. As for trousers, winter hiking style trousers over your wool leggings will be perfect. If you are really really cold, a layer of fleece in between is also good.

You won’t need snow boots unless it’s really deep, they are hard work to wear all day. I use sheepskin lined timberland hiking boots. Don’t forget to get ice grips for you shoes too!
A buff stops the cold getting into your neck and works better than a scarf. If you are prone to cold fingers, mittens are better than finger style gloves.

Feel free to pm me, I go past the hurtigboat terminal every day on the way to work 😊😊

Oh crikey, ok I need to up the ante on this clearly. Glad I asked. Thanks for all the info. I’ve already got merino base layers and a wonderful big wool Norwegian jumper I bought on my last trip there a few years ago (summer, and much further south!). I will invest in merino layers for dd because she will no doubt get plenty of use out of them afterwards.

The outer layer is worrying me though, if it needs to be polar grade. That sounds like it will be tricky to find second hand, or very expensive new.

I have just ordered Sorel snow boots for both of us - perhaps these won’t cut it 😬.

Any brand/shop recommendations?

It isn’t an organised trip - we are flying to Tromso, spending a couple of days there, then catching the boat to Trondheim, where we’ll then have another couple of days. I’m hoping to squeeze in some husky sledding if we can, but there might not be time.

I have been to Trondheim in February before, and it didn’t seem that cold - I remember just taking normal winter clothes. But I guess Tromso is quite a bit further north!

Join Outdoor Gear Exchange on Facebook, you'll get some good deals there.

I agree that ski clothing is not neccesarily the way to go - remember ski wear is designed for being highly active (and for during the day), so you';; be a lot colder walking around and hanging out at night looking for Northern Lights.

The cheapest way to go will be layers - lots and lots of layers, starting with thermal leggings and tops for everyone.

Then thin long sleeved top, another one or two thin jumpers (not big bulky woolly things).

For coats, you need something down (or synthentic alternative). 800 FP (sometimes known as CUIN) fill minimum (that's a measure of how warm it is - the higher than number, the warmer it is). I like Rab, but they're pricey. it might be worth checking out Decathalon (e.g. this one which claims to be 800 FP) for a cheaper alternative.

Then some kind of windproof layer - assuming you all have raincoats, these will probably do the job.

On the bottom half, layers again - thermal leggings, then walking trousers, then waterproof trousers/salopettes.

Hat, snood/buff (balaclavas might be good for the kids). Thick gloves with thick ski gloves/mittens over the top.

Normal walking boots with thin socks then a big fluffy pair should keep you warm enough, but keep an eye out for bargainous snow boot type things - Aldi sometimes do them.

Oh, Sorels will be perfect! I've worked in Antarctica and day-to-day Sorels are fine even there - only need something more substantial for serious weather. Sorels will be more than enough where you're headed.

I have a north face artic parka

Great for Uk winters
But those temperatures? No way!!!

These two look good value for the warmth rating (better than the previous one I linked):
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-mountaineering-down-jacket-makalu-blue//R-p-309557?mc=8590016&c=BLUE
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trek900-warm-women-s-mountain-trekking-down-jacket//R-p-144205?mc=8502893&c=PURPLE

You will probably be fine with ski trousers. I found the jacket and footwear most important. If your snowboots are not tight fitting around the toes then they will trap warm air and with wool socks should keep your feet warm.

Oh dear, it’s the North Face Arctic Parka that I’ve got. Will look on Outdoor Gear Exchange.

Good to know re the Sorels! If they’re up to Antarctica they should be ok for Tromso!

Thanks for more layering advice. I will buy lots of thin merino. My big Norwegian jumper is very thick, so maybe that’s not great. Although the Norwegians seem to wear them!

Those decathlon jackets are good value!

Sorels are great.... but there are some that are better than others.. Yoot Pac or Caribou for kids.. for adults, Caribou, Carnival, Joan of Arctic, others are less warm eg tofino and torino.

I ordered Caribou for dd and Glacy Explorer for me. I hope they are up to it.

In my expensive

Warm clothing really is a case of…

More money for more premium brand really truly does reap dividends

I’ve taken ski trips where the temp had fallen to -15+. My main recommendation is to wear a thermoball jacket under your outer jacket it makes a huge difference.

I live in Tromsø, I have worked for a dog sledding company here for 9 years. All Northern lights companies here will provide you with Arctic suits (all-in-one insulated snow suit that you put on over your clothes with space for a down jacket underneath) and boots, like the sorel ones you're looking at. This is included in the price of the tour. They will always have spare hats and gloves too. The tour guide will also make have a camp fire once you have found a good spot to wait for any aurora activity, so your can stay warm (your clothes will get smokey). As for just walking about sightseeing, people generally wear merino thermals, tops and bottoms, and snow trousers or hiking trousers over the top. Fjallraven is an awesome brand, but can be pricy. They make lovely parkas, but you'll be fine with your down jacket. In the UK TK maxx often has ok ski gear and themals if you don't want to spend loads. Lots of layers are key. As they say here "ull er gul" = "wool is gold".

I would say December can be great for Northern lights up here, but if the forecast is bad, the tour guide will drive you to where there is least cloud cover (which could even be as far as Finland - 3 hrs drive) so you're likely to see something.

Lovely that some locals have popped in... what a wondeful place to live!!

Definitely thick waterproof mittens. Though when I went to see northern lights I also wore thin running style gloves soon could take mittens off to take a photo without having bare fingers. They were absolutely not warm enough for more than a few minutes of photos though!

We were with a company that provided overalls for husky trips etc but to be honest they were just thick mechanic style overalls not insulated. We only used them at night and on skimobile/husky trips. We wore lots of layers. Padded ski trousers with thermal leggings underneath. Thick socks. Thermal top, t-shirt, jumper, padded skin jacket on top. Buff type things for face (more than one as they get a bit miserabke whn damp breath. Warm hat that covers ears. Clothes were all from go outdoors and tkmaxx.

@Arcticlife fab to hear local knowledge! Thank you. Which sledding company do you work for? I’ll look you up!

I’m now thinking I might invest in one of these vest things, and wear it under my North Face parka
www.arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/womens/cerium-lt-vest-(nam)

I think I’d rather do that than buy a whole new jacket that would be unlikely to be used again much. But still mulling it all over. The Decathlon jackets are very tempting for the price.

My problem is I’ve always hated puffa jackets, because they make me look like a sausage, but I know that’s ridiculous and I need to get over it. Also SIL is permanently in a puffa jacket, and that also puts me off them. Stop it Venus…

With the Sorels, the ones that have an inner boot are the warmest - so Joan of Arctic (my faves!), Caribou, 1964 Pac, or Carnival. Personally I would swap the Glacy ones you have for one of those models.

Hmm I do like those Joan of Arctic Sorels. But would that furry cuff fit under ski type trousers? Would I have to team them with skinny type trousers or leggings, and would those be warm enough?

Also, those in Norway, can you confirm I have got it right and won’t need to quarantine if I’m double vaxed? The Norwegian govt website is a bit confusing on this.

My tip is bring some disposable hand and foot warmers (Hothands are great) for you and DD, they can make a massive difference to comfort level if you are going to be outside for an extended time.

Despite living in Canada for 15 years I only discovered these a few years ago while snowboarding during the polar vortex (-35).

A North Face arctic parka should be fine as long as you layer well; baselayer, thin fleece layer, lightweight down vest, then coat over the top. On the bottom baselayer, then snowpants and smart wool socks.