Tromso in March - anyone been? Clothing and footwear advise please

[Springersrock]

I know I’m overthinking, but it wouldn’t be a holiday for me if I didn't spend weeks stressing about shit like this before I go.

I’m going early March. Have various activities booked including reindeer sledding, snowshoe hike, snowmobiles and northern lights hunts as well as a couple of chill days for mooching around the city, museums, etc.

I have a ski-type jacket and padded trousers I bought from Mountain Warehouse a couple of years ago - I wore them in Iceland in January a couple of years ago with a padded body warmer under the jacket and was absolutely fine. Is it enough for Tromso in March? They were fairly cheap and cheerful so I’m concerned they’re not going to be enough.

Thermals? I was looking at Shein to be honest as they’re cheap but are they crap? We’ll be there a week and staying in a hotel with no laundry facilities so will need a few sets.

Footwear - I’ve got boots from when I went to Iceland, but I was looking at Yaktrax on Amazon. Are they robust enough for lots of walking - the reviews seem a bit mixed? Any recommendations for something better?

Thank you!

Inreresting. I'm going on a Hurtigruten cruise in early April. Where's the geology museum? Tromso or Trondheim?

Went to Tromso around this time a few years ago. We were fine in salopettes and ski jackets with walking/ snowboots and thick socks. They give you oversuits for the nighttime northern lights excursion which are fantastic in sub zero temperatures. . If you're on a dogsled be warned - those dogs eat nothing but meat - their farts are deadly!

Just get yourself to Oslo with Aer Lingus and then do either SAS or Norwegian for the next leg to Tromsø, which ever is cheaper?

Spot on. To add to you list: Wool gloves are nice to use when you are just walking from hotel to restaurant etc. Sunglasses. Sun and and snow is incredibly bright. Or a pair of ski glasses as they also shield the eyes from wind.

The only time I felt cold was my feet when I was out in the mountains watching the northern lights. Think I had on a couple of pairs of walking/ski socks at least and good walking boots. If I went again I’d cut up a sheepskin cushion/rug or investigate thermal liners for my boots. Or stand on a piece of cardboard! That’s the only time I felt the cold and only on my feet and it was -10 or something.

I had silk liners for my gloves and I’d look at thermals/base layers from TK Maxx as everything is reduced now. My husband needed a snood as he has south European features and his eyelashes froze and his nose was very cold. I was fine as an Anglo Saxon type!

i know you’re not going but dog sledding was pretty physical for newbies. Mr nodogz couldn’t get the hang of it and the dogs were yanking his shoulders. However, I used to horse ride so found it very easy and gentle (with the foot brake). I was very surprised how much those dogs want to run, they loved it! The whole two weeks spent there in March for spring equinox were magical - enjoy!

Thanks all!

We decided against dog sledding in the end. I’ve got frozen shoulder and it’s not getting any better so decided to give it a miss. We booked snow mobiles though, which looks super fun.

I didn’t think that photo was Tromso Cathedral but I don’t know it well enough. I’ve booked a midnight concert at Tromso Cathedral and will wander over the bridge at some point for the Arctic Cathedral.

I’ve seen mixed reviews about the cable car. There’s loads of building work going on at the moment and it’s super expensive so we were going to give it a miss. We’ve got plenty of time though so may venture up there at some point

Whoever asked about flights, ours are Wizz Air from Luton to Tromso direct. I’m not sure about from Dublin though.

I’ve been and had a look in TK Maxx and Mountain Warehouse and bought some extra thermals and stuff so hopefully I’m sorted. I was a bit worried about not being appropriately clothed and freezing for a week. I did also find a load of ski stuff in our local Aldi

I haven’t seen one specifically mentioned in Tromso

We’re def going to the Polar Museum and Polaria. May go to the Arctic University Museum if we get time

Thanks! I'll look them up.

Can I ask where people are staying in Tromso? Trying to decide for a last minute trip whether it’s better to stay in the city or drive out and stay at a resort

I didn’t want to hire a car so I’m staying in the city centre and have then booked some trips out and about, and there’s plenty of public buses.

We hired a car in Iceland in January a few years ago and it was so stressful so didn’t want to do it again

Going on Saturday, We’re staying in an apartment about 15 mins walk from city centre. Not cheap.

We are looking at one of the Home hotels in the centre. Very last minute so need to make a quick decision which I am not great at!

Sorry to hijack your thread @Springersrock but another quick question. We are looking at booking tours etc and after reading everyone’s helpful advice want to do a minibus small group northern lights tour, but they last for 6-7 hours and one says ‘use the toilet before you go…’. I mean, I’m a woman of a certain age, I can’t last 7 hours without a pee!

We are there now. Our mountain warehouse thermals and decathlon boots have been fine. Already seen us through Finnish Lapland too.

Get liner gloves with smartphone fingers for under mittens. Removing gloves to take pictures is the killer on the fingers.

We have yaxtrax with us but haven't used them. Sometimes it is very icy though if the right weather combination happens. I'd rather have them just in case but spikes are for sale everywhere

Sorry - missed the most recent posts

@Freshcoffeeonly we’re booked a small bus tour as it has a bit more flexibility in terms of where they can go than the big bus tours. Also nervous about the toilet situation. Might have to not drink anything for several hours before hand.

@Peccary hope you had an amazing time!

Those of you who were going before me - have you been yet? How was it? Hope you had the best time!

It’s getting closer for me now - weather forecast looks like pissing rain for the whole week of course but I’m holding on to the fact that the longer range forecasts are never very accurate for Tromso and the weather is very changeable 🤞

We came back last week. It is the most amazing place. Lucky with the weather, one day of heavy snow and then three dry with mostly blue skies. We went to Tromsobaden on the snowy day, shopping, DH did the sauna and arctic plunge, up the cable car to the mountain (amazing sunset but bitterly cold and very busy!!) We also went reindeer sledding, had a day over to the island (can’t remember its name) on a minibus, went around the fjords, walked on frozen lakes, picnic on a beach, the scenery is astounding. Eating out was expensive, no doubt about it. But not extortionate. And importantly, we saw the NL every single night from the city centre just walking around, but the skies were mostly clear. Got some fantastic photos.
You really feel like you are at the top of the world.