Thermal/Ski wear

[TheHouseofMirth]

Yes, I know the weather's not quite that bad yet but I'm trying to get organised for a 4 day trip to Finland in December.

The temperature will be anything up (down?) to minus 30 so I want to be well prepared.

We'e never had a winter holiday before and I'm looking for advice on what kind of base layers I should be buying. Also there seem to be a lot of websites offering hugely discounted jackets and trousers but will they be warm enough?

I wear Ice Breaker merino thermals for skiing. The long sleeve crew neck version is excellent for layering with a brighter short sleeve tee over the top so you don't overheat when going back indoors (ie preferable to heavy jumpers etc). Merino layers are so much nicer to wear than synthetic versions.

As for discounted ski wear - depends on the brand. I wear Northface, O'Neill (I prefer boarding trousers to ski trousers). TK Maxx have an excellent range from around October if you are happy to wait a while.

You might want to consider wearing silk liner gloves beneath ski gloves too.

Thanks. I hadn't even considered merino as generally I can't wear wool next to my skin but I gather it's not likely to cause a reaction?

The knit is very smooth - more tee shirt like than itchy knitwear, iyswim. DS1 has eczema and hates wearing knitwear but doesn't have any problems with Ice breaker layers :)

You will probably want thermal leggings too. Again, Ice breaker do some good ones.

Ski thermals are available in different weights too. If you go to a skiwear specialist (say Ellis Brigham) they will give you plenty of advice on which weight you need.

I take it you're not actually skiing? Just on a holiday that happens to be Finland in December?

If you can't wear merino, then try the Helly Hansen ones. They do Lifa which is a synthetic fibre and Prowool (Helly Warm), which is merino with a Lifa inside face.

Try American (Mid west) brands for clothing designed for very cold but dry weather. Mountain Hardwear make the Downtown coat, which is town styled but down filled. The women's one is on sale in several shops at the moment at half price.

Women's
Men's

Abzs you're right, not going for skiing though will be toboganning , snow shoe-ing etc. Thank you, that's really helpful.