I’ve messed up with the holiday I’ve booked

[SoEasyToFallInLove]

I had a week of annual leave to use before April. I did some research and booked a week to be split between Oslo and Copenhagen at the end of February/beginning of March. Everything I had found said that temperatures at this time were around -5° to 2°C. I figured I could cope with that.

I’ve now found a lot of discussion online that says that last year it was regularly -30° in Oslo in February. It’s a bit luck of the draw but apparently it can stay below freezing until the end of March.

What do I do? I’ve paid for everything and it’s non refundable but if it’s that cold I’ll literally just be sat in a hotel room all day. Do I go and hope for the best or just cancel and use my leave another way?

Lapland and Iceland are NOT the same as Copenhagen/Oslo!
There was no snow in Oslo when we went in the February - pretty sure there will not be in Copenhagen but we may just have been unlucky in Oslo.

I've been to Copenhagen in February. We couldn't go on our planned boat trip round the harbour because it was frozen but otherwise we had a great time. I wore my walking boots but otherwise just normal winter coat, hat and gloves and was fine.

I've been to the Nordics several times in the winter and it's fine. Cold but take plenty of layers and be prepared to wrap up well and you'll be fine.

I had a couple of pairs of these trousers. They're fleece lined and waterproof so they keep the cold, wet and wind out. They're not too expensive at £30.

https://www.regatta.com/womens-fenton-softshell-walking-trousers-navy/

You can wear a base layer legging underneath if it's really cold.

Make sure you don't have any gaps. Eg: knee length thermal socks to stop cold going up your legs, tuck your base layer into your waistband to prevent gaps round your middle, a long cuff glove that goes up your sleeve and a scarf/buff to stop cold going down your neck.

Brands like Thinsulate or Heat Holders for hats and gloves are good as they keep the heat in.

I took these patches as well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Plast-Adhesive-Lasts-Hours/dp/B0074JJS3K

If you stick one on the small of your back, it's like walking around with a hot water bottle all day! They do help to keep you warm.

Normal winter clothes with layers will be fine..do you not go out in cold weather at home ? It will be lovely.

We went to Norway in February and cruised from Kirkenes down to Bergen and once we left Kirkenes we didn’t see any snow at all. Really disappointing because that’s what we went for! Please just bear in mind that ALL buildings, including your hotel, will be super heated. We actually found it unbearably hot, so yes, lots of layers. We found the super thin fleece type quarter zips the most helpful because you can layer without adding too much bulk.

It won’t be -30, Copenhagen is amazing. Oslo also great but more expensive from my memory. Both beautiful.

Stick to plan, take warm clothes and have a good holiday. The frightening temps are probably night time, when you'll be asleep anyway. Daytime temps will be bearable. In any case Oslo has good museums that shouldn't be missed. It's probably a dry cold, too, not the damp UK cold. Yrs ago I remember someone from East Canada visiting my home town and finding it too cold, and it wasn't even a particularly cold winter, but she wasn't used to THAT kind of cold. I certainly wouldn't turn down the chance for a holiday in Oslo/Copenhagen in Feb.

OP, when I’ve needed specific clothes for holiday but won’t need them in the UK I’ve used Vinted. I got a whole wardrobe for a safari trip on there! 2 years ago I needed snow trousers for my son for a ski trip and got a pair for £14.

As a Canadian who grew up in freezing winters, a good pair of gloves and a good hat will help a lot.

It’ll be fine.

they’re cities and everywhere inside is heated.

i wouldn’t wear jeans though they’re shit in the cold.

layers layers layers.

When I went to Iceland over winter, I wore tights under jeans and it was fine!

You didn’t have a choice? Doesn’t sound like you were forced into it. Everyone knows feb is winter!

You’ll be fine. I do Finland In January which regularly gets down to -30. Layer up, get snow boots, ski coat and maybe even salopettes. Lots of base layers, merino wool, fleece etc. You’ll probably be surprised how few layers you need and how warm you are.

Also merino ski socks, ski gloves with thin glove liners.

You can get cheap ski gear from Mountain Warehouse.

Norwegians have a saying "There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes"
Dress for the cold, embrace the adventure, there's lots to do in Oslo that's indoors or in a vehicle
And last year's -30 night-time temperature was an exception, the norm in February is, as you found, around -2

I went to the exact same place at the end of Feb with my husband and 3yr old. We dressed appropriately and had a great time. There are loads of indoor things to do, though we did stand outside watching the changing of the guard for a bit too long in the snow. Embrace it and be prepared for the weather.

A long time ago I worked in Malmo ( just opposite Copenhagan) and the temperatures were about -10° C. This was very manageable when dressed in layers. Buildings were very warm inside so expect to delayer and use cloakrooms. I was very miserable when I came back to the UK for Xmas as, although the temperature was 13°, it was bone- chillingly damp! Good luck!

Jeans aren’t good for cold weather, and if they get wet from snow they stay wet and heavy. Get some walking trousers. Dress for the weather, not style!

It will be lovely. Thermals, ski jacket, hat with furry ears. Ski socks. I am sure you will love it.

I have known it to be minus 15 in the UK, it was fine as long as you were wrapped up well. Everything was so crisp, I loved it.

I would rather that than 5C and pissing with rain. Which is often the case.

Get a Didrikson coat and get out and about, you'll be fine with thermal tights on under jeans. It's not like you'll be outside 100% of the time! Plan your itinerary of where you want to see and have a great time, sounds fab.

Get some snow boots. Snood, ski gloves. Basically look at ski wear.
Sounds fun. Im sure the museums will have heating on.

I would be very surprised by that temperature (have visited Oslo a lot as DP used to work there). I think the temperatures you have looked up seem way more realistic and even if it is colder then it is a very different cold to UK (much drier and less humid so feels nicer). Obviously take some warm clothes but you will be fine

Hahah. Best autocorrect ever. I’m totally going to invent them.

Tivoli is quite gentle. It’s a garden as much as anything.

I think it sounds like a great holiday. As others have said, layers work best. Cold countries are well set up for the weather. In Iceland I found most places had large cloakrooms for you to leave layers.

I used fleece lined leggings from Next under jeans or joggers. Thermal vest, top and hoody on top half. Used my own long puffs coat and scarf. I did buy new gives, a wind proof fingerless style with a mitten that had a magnet in it to keep in place. They were expensive but my hands easily get cold. M&S have thin thermal socks so I could wear my usual trainers and boots.

I wore thermal vest, fleece lined tights, dress and jumper when going out for meals.

I've been to New York when it was -20 and it was really very manageable. I bought thermal underwear to wear under my clothes. Heavy coat, hat (most important!) and thick gloves. My face did freeze (to the extent I couldn't speak) however with a hat pulled down it was fine and actually quite fun. I really enjoyed the holiday, not sure I would chose to go on holiday in those temperatures again but it was absolutely fine.