Finland in Feb - what do we need?

[Goofbawl]

We’re hopefully going Ruka in Feb half term. First time we’ve been anywhere other than France, really.
My question is, what else are we likely to need - aside from our usual base layers and equipment? DD needs new base layers anyway, and I’ll buy us all balaclavas. But will our normal gloves and socks be ok?
We’ve never had really cold conditions when we’ve been away so we’re often on the slopes in just hoodies and jacket!
Kids usually have a merino base layer, then fleece top and ski suit on top. Will they need anything more?
Planning to take the little hotties heat packs to shove in pockets. Am I missing anything?

Just bumping this for you, OP

No, just take your base layers and normal ski gear and you'll be fine. It was bloody cold when we went but we managed fine and warmed up quickly on the slopes.

It's great and hope you enjoy it. Scenery was spectacular. They have these little fires you can build in the woods and have a barbecue on them - was wonderful.

I’m so jealous! Sounds like a good list. Make sure your gloves/jacket can make a seal if that makes sense, as if you get snow up your sleeve it’s brutal.
It is so very beautiful. You will love it! Did you see Ski Sunday in Finland? They were buzzing, said it was like skiing on the moon!

Thanks all! That’s really helpful.
@PavoReal no will search for it! DH likes to do his research so he’ll be thrilled!

@Goofbawl tell him to watch the 9 Jan episode on iplayer. It's about 45 - 50 mins in, about the GB Para boarding team. They go to Pyha which isn't far from Ruka. Looked amazing!

Oh brilliant - thank you!

We did Norway in February a couple of years ago. Not quite as far north. We found that normal ski layers were enough, just had to be more careful putting everything on, making sure nothing was exposed. Thermal neck tubes plus stretchy ones for under helmets. It snowed quite a bit so goggles were essential. The main thing was how short the days are (does mean you get a lazier breakfast 😊)

@VikingNorthUtsire ah! Goggles! We don’t usually need ours - just sunglasses… thanks for the reminder!

I'd highly recommend that you get yourselves touchscreen gloves if you're planning to use your phones to take photographs. And put a really good spf lip balm in everyone's pocket. Have fun, it was beautiful there

Stupid question but is there any daylight in Finland in the winter?

There's always some daylight in Finland in Winter. I went to Ruka in December over the shortest day a few years ago, and it was sunrise at 10:30, sunset at about 1:30pm, though there was probably an hours twilight either side where you could cross country ski without head torches.

In Feb half term it'll be sunrise by 9am, sunset at about 4pm.

I just wear normal ski gloves and socks. It can be really cold if you're on a long T-bar lift, and you do feel it on exposed skin so always make sure you've got your sleeves and gloves right before you get on board!

We went to Ruka at the end of Jan at it was between -18 and -36! Normal ski layers didn't really cut it at all especially for younger kids and we found we could only ski for a few hours before returning to the lodge to warm up. We spent quite a lot on the little pocket warmers while there to try and keep DD from crying and she had these inside mittens and shoved in her ski boots. We had an amazing amazing time, the snow is out of this world but I would definitely get suits rather than coats/salopettes for kids and multiple layers. We were in double layer gloves, balaclavas, base/mid and top layers. On the lifts our balaclavas froze solid with the water vapour from our breath!
Aside from clothing definitely look at getting a taxi to the Lammintupa husky sled place near by, it also has skidoos, ice karts and reindeer sleighs and a gorgeous scandi restaurant, it's about 1/25 of the price of the organised trips. www.lammintupa.fi/en/
I'm so jealous!!

Lammintupa is one of my favourite cross country ski cafes! I agree, it's definitely a good place to visit.

I have been in Ruka when it was -25, but I was doing cross country skiing so I was generating plenty of my own heat and didn't need a huge amount more clothes.

Keep an eye on the hospitality restrictions in Lapland - they've just made things tougher so that all cafes, restuarants and bars (including hotel ones I think) have to stop serving alcohol at 5pm, close at 6pm.

valtioneuvosto.fi/en/information-on-coronavirus/current-restrictions/restaurants

Thanks everyone - more great tips

@kittykarate I’ve had a million emails from Crystal about this asking if we want to cancel… we’ve booked self catering plus which includes an evening meal at a restaurant. Think I need to call and see if the restaurant is outside of the restriction limits as it’s a restaurant that serves the hotel - not sure how that works…

Goofbawl Definitely check - I saw one website that said that hotel restaurants were definitely included in the restrictions, but haven't seen it written on the official government pages. The Crystal emails seemed to imply they were restricted when they talk about people possibly being provided with a cold platter if they arrive outside of the restricted hours.

The hotel/apartment place we are staying in is definitely restricted - but the restaurant was more of a bar, and also open to the public so they have their opening hours listed as 2-6pm on their website.

Thanks @kittykarate are you there now?!

No but someone from my ski club is there by himself - conditions are great for skiing so he's having a great time, but the restaurant thing is a bit of a pain so he's had a few takeaways in his hotel room.

I see - thanks!

Finland is easing restaurant restrictions valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1271139/restrictions-on-use-of-covid-19-passport-extended-restaurant-restrictions-eased can stay open until 9pm from 1 Feb. Bars are still restricted though.

Thank you so much @kittykarate - had been meaning to check this today!

Ooh exciting!! Am going to Finland in half term too. We love it there.

Would definitely suggest silk inner socks and gloves - you can get them from Decathlon and they’re reasonable. Otherwise layer up as others have said! There are often little wooden huts in the forests / near the pistes which have open fires and are designed to warm you up - they’re open to all. I think they’re called kotas …

Have fun, it’s magical and the snow is out of this world.

Thanks @GozerTheGozerian. We’re all booked up with activities & equipment now. Currently worrying that one of us will test positive on the LFT test before we go… we’re all testing every day as we were close contacts last week and my daughter had Covid the week before that. All negative so far but to be honest I’m almost wishing we’d test positive now so it’s out the way and we could actually look forward to going!!! 😩