what to wear to Lapland - help please?!

[brokenlady]

After a fairly torrid year, DD and I are off to lapland for the day in December. Both very excited but I am wondering what to wear! has anyone been who can advise me?

Layers.

It is absolutely freezing cold (possibly -30), so proper thermals are needed!

I'd agree - I haven't been but my sister took dd a few years ago and she had a pretty miserable day because she was so cold!

this should do it...?

More helpfully...

here is a link that looks useful

I am sure they provide you with outdoor clothing when you get there.

yes, my dd was provided with a snow suit but she was still freezing all day.

Layers definitely. We've been for week long holidays there a couple of times and the temperatures can vary from not much colder to home to a bone chilling -30. I think most of the daytrips provide you with outer clothing and boots so you'll only need what you are travelling in. Thermal underwear a must though and some spare gloves/hats!

For those who have been -- is it enjoyable considering it can be SO SO cold?

'there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment'
of course it's enjoyable in the cold, but you absolutely must must find proper cold weather clothing!
I am Finnish and obv have been up north several times
They probably give you suitable outer layers but the link above has really good advice on suitable base and mid layers. Wool and fleece. Go to a specialist outfitter. Balaclavas definitely. Very easily get frost nipped cheeks if you don't cover your face.

M&S do a really nice selection of kids thermal underwear, long leggings and longsleeve tops. H&M has v cheap ski/snow suits for children too x

Thanks everyone. Yes we do get the outerwear when we get there. But I will definitely invest in proper thermals and layers. Also decent hats and gloves. Any ideas with regards to footwear?

I think some companies also provide footwear but you'll obviously need something to travel in. I've got boots similar to these and they are incredibly warm and very comfortable (invaluable last year and the previous one in all that snow we had). I've worn them each time I've gone to Lapland and couldn't have asked for anything better.

re: M&S, most of the stuff they sell as 'thermals' is cotton or cotton mix, I think, this is fine for UK winters but it really is not the stuff to take to Lapland in mid winter. Cotton is the worst possible insulator, it absorbs moisture and combined with cold air it's like wearing a wet flannel next to your skin for hours. This in 20 below zero is proper bad news. Cold weather clothing only works as a system, and no snowsuit will insulate if you haven't got the base and mid layers right. Wool is best (because of its ability to trap air in the fibres), next is wool polyester mix, even well constructed polyester is better than cotton.

so is wool best as base layer or silk?

depends where you are obv, but for cold weather, it's absolutely wool. The first time I heard someone suggesting silk base layers for skiing was here in the UK, it is unheard of in Scandinavia and/or the Arctic. It isn't warm!

I clicked on the link is the order to wear the clothes as follows:

1. smalls, silk socks
2. silk thermals
3. wool thermals or is a choice of eithe silk or wool?
4. fleece top & bottom?
5. big snow suit over coat that is provided

silk glove liners
hat that covers ear
neck gaiter
baclava for kids?

Thank you drowninginlaundry - cross post

is the wool itchy?

do you wear special smalls -- I'm assuming cotton underpants are out (what does one put on a 5 year old boy?)

as you are going for the day you will not need loads of stuff and you will also not need the silks

I would suggest you go to primark and get some fleece pj's they are great for your mid layer and and just wear some thermals underneath them, that should do you find and then you will have your outer snowsuit on top of that - get some gloves and a hat that covers your ears and take a scarf too

do look at the link that has been supplied as it will give you all the info you need about what to wear on the plane, when you are there etc

have a wicked time, it is a wonderful place

forgot to add, cotton is only a problem close to the skin if you are sweating, given that kids dont really sweat you will be fine with cotten pants, socks etc, it is only if you are going skiing etc that cotton becomes a problem as it absorbs the sweat and then gets cold

you will find a lot of the thermals have cotton in them, they will be fine too