Lapland with Canterbury Travel

[Ratbagcatbag]

Wooooohoooooo I've just booked for December 2019. Yes I know it's ages away but getting a cabin for two people is a nightmare.
I'm so excited and slightly terrified.

This has been my dream since I've been five years old. (A long time ago!). My daughter will be 6 and a half. Perfect age I hope.

I'm confused on the clothing though. Do I need thermals? And base layers?

Check what's provided as many operators provide the outer layers and they're much superior to anything you can buy here

You'll need thermals and a fleece layer - possibly two fleece tops! Plus hand warmers and socks. I'd get a balaclava for DD.

We went 6 years ago when DDs were 7&5 and it's still my favourite place ever - 6 is a perfect age- I felt my youngest was too young as its very dark so they tire easily and -18 is hard to handle!

If get over to the Lapland forum on trip advisor - there's tons of info on there

Thank you so much.
We get a snow suit and snow boots provided but need everything else.
A balaclava sounds a perfect plan for both of us to be fair. No faffing with scarves etc

We're going in four weeks! Was meant to be two weeks but has been rescheduled as no snow so far. I'm getting quite nervous about there still not being snow in four weeks ☹️

Where abouts are you going?

Oh we're not going with Canterbury travel as we couldn't stretch that far 😒

Yes you will need base layers and thermals, also hats and mittens (recommended over gloves as fingers together keep them warmer than separated - silk inner gloves work well for quick taking off of mitten to take photos etc.) Would also recommend a buff rather than a scarf. Whatever you choose you will need layers and be prepared to start stripping off as soon as you walk inside as the indoors will be unbearable in all the clothes you need for outdoors.

Have a fabulous time - I have done the magical sojourn with Canterbury Travel twice (10 years apart) and they have remained our family's favourite holidays ever. 6 upwards is the perfect age. My children were 7 when we went and coped with the temperatures no problem, slept like angels each night as they were so tired

Wreck. This is once in a lifetime trip for me. I've saved since dd was 9 months old with a work scheme. ☺️ Otherwise I wouldn't be stretching that far.

We're staying in Luosto? (Sp).

Sssshhhhh. - thank you. I know it's a year away yet, but I figure I can keep an eye out for sales/eBay etc and pick it up as I go along rather than all in one go and cry at the cost.

Well done for saving for so long I hope you have an amazing time. We came into some money and decided to blow the lot on this as it, like you, was something I've always wanted to do.

Have a look at decathlon we've got quite a bit from there. I got a job lot of disposable hand warmers from eBay, power bank, head torch (as it's dark most of the time), tracksuit bottoms and pjs bottoms layered up (not jeans), neck warmers etc.

You'll need winter sports cover on your insurance too, if you haven't already got it.

I took my two when they were little with Canterbury Travel. Absolutely magical and worth every penny. As soon as we arrived at the hotel site we were provided with snow suits. We just wore ordinary winter clothes underneath with thermals of course as it was minus 30. We stayed in a lovely log cabin with sauna and log fire and sledged up to breakfast and dinner at the main hotel. All the activities were great. Have a wonderful time

I have a decathlon local to me Wreck I will keep an eye out.

Itsnow - why didn't I think of sledging to the restaurant. I can tow her behind me and earn extra pudding. Awesome. 😂.

Can I ask a very dumb question. What's the difference between base layers and thermals?

And Wreck I agree, sometimes the memories are worth it all aren't they?

I've got enough to do my small bathroom up left over, or go to Disney Florida. I should do the the bathroom, but I won't. 😂😂.

And they aren't places I will go again with her. So I just think heck why not. We don't use the downstairs bathroom anyway.

Beware of the red berry juice (it is actually nice and isn't alcoholic). We are in search of Santa and his elves', a little ditty you may never forget!
Hope it all goes well for you.

You'll love it. Canterbury Travel know how to make it magical. I've been twice and its awesome.

Tricky Dicky will live with you forever.

I'm gutted I have to wait for 12 months.
I'm also going about ten days earlier than I would have liked. But they only offer cabins for two people in two of their dates. I'd have to stay in the hotel if I went later. And I really wanted the log cabin experience.

We went to Luosto last year for 3 nights, DS was 5.6. It was amazing.
You need good base layers, mid layers- trackies and fleece or similar, socks and gloves. Inner glove liners or thin gloves and outer waterproof ski mittens or gloves. Hats and snoods better than scarves.
Take snacks - the good isn’t brilliant but is just OK. If I went again I’d upgrade to the a la carte restaurant.
It was utterly magical - enjoy.
We’re off in search of Santa and his Elves, where are they hiding, deep within the fells

I wondered on the upgrade for the restaurant. I'll do that then. Thank you.

Snacks id been warned on. DD need food regularly else she gets really cranky.

So is base layer thermal? (Trousers and tops), mid layer, long sleeved top plus fleece, tights and then tracksuit bottoms? And the outer layer the snow suit, gloves, hats etc?

I'm taking snacks too. And hot chocolate/coffee. Still not decided what snacks, dh told me not to be a Scrooge and only let them eat healthy ones 😬

I've not bothered with specific thermals. I'm going base later (thin top and tights), mid layer (fleece and tracksuit bottoms) and then snow suit. Have thermal socks and ski socks (poor circulation!). Cheapo thin gloves plus ski goves, snood and woolly hat.

I wore: usual underwear, thermal tights and long sleeved thermal top, tracksuit bottoms and fleece/ Christmas jumper, then the suit they give you.
DS wore pants, Merino base layer set from Mountain Warehouse, joggers and a fleece or Christmas jumper.
For kids take lots of extra socks, gloves, hats etc- they get wet rolling around in snow. Multipack of those magic gloves for inners was ideal for kids, then ski mittens.
A few packets of hand/ foot warmers are an idea although when we went it was only -4 most of the time. It was -11 on the last day.

I feel I've entered a whole new world of clothing I didn't know existed. 😂

Ahh ratbag we went to Luosto both times - magical. We never took snacks and tbh never felt the need but we did eat 2 desserts on most some evenings .

Aldi ski have their stuff in pn 24 Nov this year - similar every year. You can get kids thermal sets of tips and bottoms for £5

I followed the Lapland forums and most wore primark fleece PJ bottoms under the suits as no one sees the bottom half anyway! Much warmer than tracksuit bottoms and only about £6 a pair.

They gave us wool socks and proper leather gloves too which were way better than my good ski gloves. Defo take snacks as its very very expensive there -£10 for s small wine and that was £6 years ago!

Sorry to derail @wrecktangled...we are going too this year...I was looking at the weather the other day and was a bit panicked there is no snow. Did they reschedule it for you? I will be absolutely devastated if there’s no snow

@WeeM yes we've been rescheduled. We're going to the most northern point in kilpisjärvi but they still only have a couple of days snow forecast before we go on the 7th.