Clothes for Lapland

[kitakat]

Just seen the other othread about holidays to Lapland and wondered if anyone can help.

We are going to Lapland with our 3dds with First Choice and in their brochure says you get snowsuit and boots included in trip.

Has anyone who has been tell me, do I need to buy specialist clothing or will normal thermals and tracksuits/fleeces be okay under the snowsuits.

Also would you buy waterproof boots aswell for to and from airport?

We used normal thermals, long sleeve tops and tracksuits/fleeces under the clothes. Thin layers rather than thick ones.

We also had thermal socks over normal ones. The company we went with gave us socks but we preferred to use our own. We also got wool gloves to wear under the ones they supplied.

As for footwear, we had boots such as timberlands, dd had normal winter boots. The snow is all compacted at the airport so you don't walk through deep snow. You are then normally taken by bus straight to get your clothes and boots. So you don't need waterproof boats, more a case of boots with a bit of grip.

It is a different type of snow there though, you don't tend to slid around on it as you do here. All the roads and pavements are covered in snow and the plane will normally land on a snow covered runway.

Haven't been but we are going in December ourselves. :)

I've already got long sleeved thermal tops and long-johns for us and the DC (Milletts). I've been recommended usual underwear as first layer, thermals as 2nd, long-sleeved t-shirt style top then a thin fleece layer for under the rented snowsuits. In terms of bottoms, I've been told that long-johns under jeans/trousers should be ok.

I've also got ski socks, ski gloves, a snood/balaclava-type thingy (someone sells them on Ebay out of fleece and they're great), hats etc. Was also going to get some of those hand warmers too for pockets.

In terms of waterproof boots - my DC have already got some from last winter that still fit. Was intending on them wearing these on the flight (together possibly with their thermals as presuming our included snowsuits won't been given to us til we reach the resort) but will be interesting to hear what others say about this who have already done the trip.

Enjoy!!

cross post with Sushiqueen - excellent advice!

Thanks for the help, I think those hand warmers would be a good idea. Good to know I dont need to spend a fortune on clothes specially for a few days.

Another thought, what do you wear when not outdoors, for when in hotel and going for dinner would you dress casual?

One thing - unless they are really good ski gloves, then don't bother getting them. DD had ski gloves and insisted on wearing them the first day when we went toboganning. Even with wool gloves underneath her hands were absolutely frozen and red.

We were advised by locals to wear thin wool gloves ( as per the sort you can get in H&M) then, thin fleece ones and then the ones they provide. The ones they give you seem quite large but you need some room for the the air to get in. Your hands will a lot warmer than you think.

Don't wear your thermals on the plane. You will boil. You go straight from the plane, to a lovely warm airport and then on to the bus. May a slight delay whilst the children pat the reindeer which is normally there. You will then be taken straight to get your clothes so you are not normally outside enough to get cold.

Your all in ones will also have hoods, so you can always put those up over your hats. We just made sure that we had hats which covered our ears as well.

You will find as well, that you don't want to wear jeans under the all in ones unless you are in a cabin and just walking to the restaurant for dinner before taking the layers off. they will be too uncomfortable and get cold a lot quicker than tracksuit bottoms etc. Go for comfort, no one sees what is underneath :)

My parents went 2 years beforehand with dd and didn't need thermals the entire time they were there. The all in ones really are that good, even if you do feel a bit like the michelin man walking along.

Very casual dress in the evenings. Most of us were in jeans every evening, though we did dress up a bit for the christmas day meal. DD wore a dress with tights.

It is warm in the hotels and in ours we had people walking through the reataurant area in dressing gowns to the spa and pool area.

Sushiqueen - thanks for the advice, did you enjoy your trip?

LittleManktiesMum - thanks for your help, hope you enjoy your trip.

We are all excited already!

We did.

Wouldn't go again but so glad we did it. Loved the husky ride and the snow mobile driving.

Have seen some people on warmer days (around about freezing) who were obviously only wearing their long johns etc under the thermal suits (which are all in one).

When you come into the (very) warm dining room, and if you are staying in a logdge as opposed to the hotel you have to get all dressed up to walk to the meals, you then have the choice of walking around in your underwear or your far too hot suit.

Make sure you have something thin on underneath that you can walk around in. Jeans tend to be a bit uncomfortable under the suits.

Oh goodness, I am from Lapland and couldn't have given better advice! It is a dry kind of (very:)cold, waterproofs are only needed in the spring. Also, good point about wearing thin underneath, it might be -35 C outside, but our houses, hotels and shops often are +25:D