Lapland - keeping warm

[Tiredandtorn]

Massively excited as we just booked a 3 day Lapland trip for next Xmas. A while off yet but I want to get all the essentials in the sales as they start popping up.

My kids will be 6 & 8 and I’m a bit worried about how to dress them for optimum warmth. My eldest has a heart condition and really feels the cold so I need to be extra careful to make sure he is as warm as possible. Consultant says he fine to go there. Here’s what I’m thinking so far:

Thermal undies + Ski base layer thermals + a micro fleece top + a heavy weight fleece on top.

Base layer leggings, fleece lined thermal jogging bottoms.

2 pairs wool socks.

Plus full snow suit, boots (to be hired there) thermal gloves and ski mittens plus hat and snood.

Does this sound right? Anyone been have any top tips for layering to keep snug?

TIA x

[handbagsatdawn33]

brrrr
Not my thing at all.
But some excursions provide all necessary clothing, or have the option to hire things that will never be used again.
Does yours not do this?

[Tiredandtorn]

They supply the snow suit onesies and snow boots. Everything else needs to be your own

[ShyTown]

I haven’t been to Lapland and it’s tricky without knowing how warm the supplied clothing will be but do live somewhere it gets really cold and going skiing a lot with our toddler and I have to say that sounds like a Michelin man amount of clothing! Also, keep in mind that if you get sweaty from playing in the snow, sledding, skiing etc. all those layers can trap moisture and make you more cold. Sorry if I’m misunderstanding but are you really thinking 3 bottoms and 3 tops under a snowsuit? We just wear base layers (uniqlo heat tech), a fleece top or jumper, then ski trousers/jacket (adults) or snow suit (toddler). 1 pair of smart wool socks inside boots. Merino liner gloves then ski gloves on top. Snood and hat. I have Raynauds but don’t feel cold with all that on!

[Tiredandtorn]

2 layers on the bottom
3 on top
So too much.... 🙈

[Tiredandtorn]

Plus the snow suit

[ShyTown]

If the supplied clothing is literally just waterproofs then I reckon you’re about right. If it’s insulated ski gear then I reckon it’s far too much and you’re be uncomfortable; initially too hot and then freezing when you get sweaty. The only thing I can think of that might be different is if you’re doing a dog sled ride where you’re not moving and have a wind chill- I still don’t think I’d quite do all that clothing though!

Hopefully someone will be along shortly with better advice specific to Lapland and knowledge of what the supplied clothing actually is though. I’m basing my thoughts on skiing which is a bit different and I live in Chicago so my marker for what constitutes cold is a bit different to others; DD has to go on 2 walks a day with daycare as long it’s above -5 Celsius and they just wear normal coats, no snowsuits. So you might not want to listen too closely to me!

[Wipingsides]

The supplied suits are super warm. When we went it was only -1 so we were boiling the whole time!! Just take spare gloves & hats as these ‘can’ get lost 🙄..
enjoy. Best thing we’ve ever done!!

[CoffeeCoinneseur]

The company we booked with sent us a list/guide of what to wear under the clothes they our idea, and from memory - yes - 3 layers on top, 2 pairs of gloves.

here

We did there and back in a day. It was -11 by early evening.

[CoffeeCoinneseur]

*under the clothes they supplied

[dressingfortv]

5 layers is way too much. I live where it's as cold and we have merino/silk longboard sleeved/trousers as a base layer, a wool or fleece sweater and fleece trousers, wool socks (smart wool the best) and a snow suit with good boots. A thin merino neck gaiter if the snow suit doesn't come right around neck, scarves are too bulky.

If it's going to be snowing make sure they have a ski type hat as anything bulky with a bobble will drive them nuts under the hood of a snow suit.

Good gloves with long snow stopper arms.

Either a face mask or a cream to put on.

[dressingfortv]

You don't need to wear two pairs of gloves if you have the right ones. In fact they won't work as well.

[BritInUS1]

When we went it was layers. Get some thermal long sleeved vests and pants - this really helps

[dressingfortv]

If they're cheap snow suits and not made from down or a good poly fill you may need one extra later but make sure the layers are thin, too much bulk is infuriating and will actually make you colder.

[AdultHumanFemale]

Growing up in northern Scandinavia with temperatures in the -20ies C°, and occasionally hitting -30C°, I would say you're good. We'd still walk to school, play outside etc.
Make sure you stay dry.
Mittens rather than fingered gloves.
Tell DCs not to lick lips as may crack.
Don't wash face in the morning before going out as, as ridiculous as it sounds, the thin film of natural skin oils generated overnight is an effective way of protecting sensitive skin against damage from cold (cracking, broken capillaries, flaking, wind burn etc).
Don't underestimate the wind chill factor.
Breathe through the nose to avoid really cold air hitting the lungs directly. Breathing through a scarf creates condensation quickly, and then you're stuck with a wet scarf.
Exposed earrings can get really cold.

Have an amazing time!

[Cally70]

That sounds about right. Take spare gloves as they can get wet playing in the snow. We also got provided with woollen socks. Put them on first and your own socks over the top. That keeps your feet warmer than the other way round.

My other tip is to get your kids bright coloured hats. When everyone is wearing the same arctic suit, it makes them easier to spot.

You'll have an amazing time

[Tiredandtorn]

Thank you - that is so helpful!!!

[Funf]

Friends went and I gave them our hand warmers we use them when sledging etc.
Same as these
www.zippo.co.uk/176-hand-warmers
WE have loads and most are Chinese ones from Ebay work just as well but practice makes perfect so try at home first.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-Hand-Warmer-Petrol-Reusable-Pocket-Portable-Ski-Winter-Camping-Hand-Heater/333423636988?hash=item4da198f1fc:g:PosAAOSwDbBd5yRh

[AnnaMariaDreams]

DS wore merino base layers from Mountain warehouse then fleece lined joggers. Ski socks. On top long sleeved t shirt then a fleece.
The suits and boots they lend you are brilliant.
I got those kids magic gloves - lots of pairs- with ski mittens on top.
Snood and warm hat.

[Ginfordinner]

Your list is perfect. That isn’t too much clothing as the layers are very thin. Make sure that the material of the layer closest to the skin is not cotton as it doesn’t wick sweat away.

We took base layers, a mid layer, arctic fleece, thermal leggings, thin trousers/leggings/jeans to wear over thermal leggings, thermal socks, liner gloves, waterproof gloves (it is very important that the outer gloves are waterproof), thermal hats, snoods and snow boots (which we already had from an exceptionally snowy winter here)

Some of the activities like reindeer sledging and husky driving involve not much moving around so you chill down very quickly. With the wind rushing at your face you need to cover it with a scarf or a snood.

2 layers on the bottom, 3 on top, So too much

No it isn’t. It is better to take too much and not need it than be too cold to enjoy it. You keep warmer by moving around a lot, and some of the snow activities in Lapland don’t keep you as warm as skiing. Also I would hazard a guess that Lapland at Christmas is a good deal colder than the Alps. I imagine it will be far colder than -1 Wipingsides. We went at February half term and it went down to -12. At Christmas it had been -37.

AdultHumanFemale has the best advice on here.

[KoalasandRabbit]

We went at Christmas a few years back and was -27C outside and around 25C inside hotels / restaurants, hotel pool was 28C. Very warm inside and freezing outside. The tour company gave us all snowsuits, snowboots and gloves - only thing is you need to walk through snow to get to and from that place. We got our own snowboots cheaply and took own gloves though ones provided were fine. Took thermals and wore layers - we were only outside for short bursts as daylight hours are very short and it's so cold. We had an amazing time, sure you will love it. Would recommend thermals and layers and warm socks. Cheap snowboots are worth buying.

[Sunshine1239]

I’ve been and -15 there’s not much colder than our winters

Baselayers top and leggings
Fleece top
Primark fleece bottoms
The suit provided
Balaclava and snood

That done my dds in -20!

[Ginfordinner]

I've been and -15 there’s not much colder than our winters

I don't know where you live, but that is much colder than our winters.

[KoalasandRabbit]

It was much colder than London, when we came back 10C in London felt like a heatwave.

[Sunshine1239]

No what I mean is that it’s a different type of cold! Here we get the rain and wind etc

There it seemed a more dry cold and -15 when I was there felt much the same as our winters even though it was lower temp in theory

My kids were fine

[KoalasandRabbit]

When we went it was colder than usual at -27C which felt incredibly cold even in thermals and snowsuits etc, had to keep moving. My then 5 year old DS struggled (he's very thin) and some younger kids were crying - with him DH could just take him to the restaurant whilst I queued so he didn't miss out on anything and he loved it as we all did. I would take lots of layers / thermals. Thermals were perfect as thin and warm. At all the places we went to there were indoor places you could go at any point if too cold. We were with Thomson.