Lapland - what do we need?

[FifthTimeLucky5]

I think I am possibly more excited than my DC to be going to Lapland in December! This is likely a once in a lifetime trip and I want to make sure we all enjoy it and are prepared for the cold but I don’t really know where to start.

Boots, snowsuits and gloves are provided but can anyone who has been, recommend what layers we need underneath, what to buy and where from? Anything you’d wished you’d taken or took but didn’t need? Having never been on a snowy holiday, living somewhere where it rarely dips below freezing and being generally a person who feels the cold I want to make sure we are all warm enough to enjoy it to the max.

thank you :)

Has anyone been yet this year? We go in just over 2 weeks and told the kids yesterday - they’re so excited😳!

Went to Primark today and bought fleece pyjamas to wear under the snow suits as recommended on here.

I go on 19th dec. where are you going? Would love to hear all about it!

We go on 16th, returning on 19th. We're staying in Pyha.

We’ve been twice to Saariselka. The temperature can vary significantly, from around zero degrees to into the minus30’s. If it’s on the milder side it’s fine, but on the colder side you will definitely need several layers, they won’t need to be expensive, just usual thermals, walking gear etc.
Definitely take glove liners, cheap ones are fine, a snood is better than a scarf as your chin gets ridiculously cold. It will also get rough and chapped, so oil based balm and moisturiser are good. Get good hats, the type with a fleece liner inside, not just a single layer and make sure they cover ears properly. Also, everyone looks the same in the provided suits so we took little badge style flashing brooches with Christmas designs on, (pound shops etc sell them) so my dc could see which one was me, and I could see them easily too which reduces the stress.

Thanks for the recommendation about balm and moisturiser. Hadn’t really thought about that!

we go on Tuesday. I’m so insanely excited

Ah I’m getting excited too - some great tips on here! I’m not sure how many “sets” of layers to take?! I’m a bit OTT so husband already assuming I’ll go overboard. We go 18th, return 22nd…3 sets of thermals, 3 sets of fleece layers, 3 sets of change of clothes for evening??

We’ve got 3 sets of everything too @Pinkvici22, my theory is one to wear, one spare and one drying.

Thanks for the tip re moisturiser and lip balm!

The layers don’t get wet as the suits literally cover you head to toe and you won’t sweat so 3 sets is probs extreme - no one will see what’s under your suit

id say 2 max for fleece layers

Hi everyone, I was thinking about persuading the kids (8 and 5, both boys) to wear thick tights under their joggers, as opposed to thermals.... Would that suffice in terms of warmth, once they've got the snow suits on? Any advice here very much appreciated!

I think it depends on how cold it is. My DDs wore thermals and then fleece pjs over the top then snow suits, but it was really cold when we were there last December, -20 ish on our main day

Thanks @RAINSh0wers

We've just got back from saariselka, absolutely amazing.

2 sets of thermals was enough, but with extra socks. My kids wore 2 pairs plus the woollen socks they give.

Definitely glove liners with touch screen finger (decathlon) so you can remove thick gloves to use cameras.

Fleece snoods were great, although I'd go balaclava if I went again as they stay in place better.

Tissues to hand at all times and regular application of lip balm needed.

Random question but did anybody take sunglasses?

@worriedworriedworried22 I'm not planning on taking any. From my understanding the daylight (all 3-4 hours of it!) is quite "watery".

Hand heat warmers and the same for feet if available - it was a miserable experience only worsened by `Puno Titicaca in Bolivia !

I would advise you not to hire a,snowsuit.They all look like right noobs in their matching hired snowsuits

I’d rather look like a noob than be cold and miserable!

We are just back from our trip - it was amazing! The snow suits, gloves, boots and wool liners they gave us were great. Agree about the silk liners as I was constantly taking their mittens off to take photos and they really helped.

we wore thin socks, thick socks and then their wool socks on our feet. For DD we put foot warmers in between the first two sets of socks and that kept her feet warm with no complaining.

The only times the kids really felt the cold was on the reindeer and husky sleighs - they wore snoods but if we went again I’d put them in balaclavas as your faces do get really cold on those.

Underneath the snowsuits we wore sleeveless vests then thermal vests and leggings, then fleece and joggers on top.

It’s warm on the coach and inside so tended to undo the suits down to the waist and on our free afternoon when we visited the local town we just wore our own coats and boots with our under layers and were fine as not outside long.

As other past posters have said, it really is a different kind of cold - you feel it less - I am feeling colder now, back in the UK than I was while there.

It really is a truly magical experience, for anyone still to go - enjoy every second!

Thanks for the update @FifthTimeLucky5 - we are travelling in a few weeks and I really feel the cold at home, so was worrying I'd be miserable, buy we have the layers you suggest, so hopefully that will be enough with hand and foot warmers and balaclavas plus hats all round!

So glad you had a good time @FifthTimeLucky5! We fly out on Friday morning and can’t wait!

I joined a Facebook page for Brits travelling to Lapland (loads of different tour operators and plenty of people who have gone DIY) and the pictures look amazing!

We go on Monday! Thanks for sharing all these tips.

Is weird all this flying off to places that are being destroyed by climate change. I know it is not the point of the thread but I think it every time I read them.

Thanks for your comment. It’s really helpful for the thread.

We had ski goggles for skiing but it's not bright at all so sunglasses won't be needed.
It was sunset at noon today and seemed twilight all day until 1630.

Do you need to show any Covid related info at the airport or has that stopped now?

No covid info needed at all.