What to pack for a Lapland trip
Back to Lapland home | Lapland Resorts | Lapland Activities | Lapland Information | Map of Lapland | Lapland Holidays
The weather in Lapland can change drastically and quickly, so being prepared and packing lots of layers is essential. There’s nothing worse than having cold feet and feeling miserable during your stay!
You will be provided with thermal suits and boots but it is good to bring warm, outdoor clothing and lots of layers with you.
Tips
- Merino wool is the best option for layers as they are comfortable, lightweight yet warm and breathable as well as being antimicrobial so you won’t need to wash it regularly
- Wear outdoor clothing made with polyester as it is light, breathes well and dries fast
- Avoid cotton in all clothing! It’s fine for when you’re inside, but outside it isn’t a sensible choice as it absorbs moisture and body heat
- Bring lots of layers and socks as its better to have too many than not enough!
- Bring high energy snacks with you on the tours and safaris, especially with children so they don’t get hungry during the day
Footwear & Socks
Boots will be provided on the trip but if you want to bring your own snow boots, hiking or walking boots are the best options. They ideally need to be a little bigger than your shoe size so you can layer two pairs of socks.
It is also good to get thermal insoles and show liners to go inside such as fleece or foil backed ones as they reflect the heat back in. You’re feet and hands are the first to feel the cold, make sure you’re equipped to take on the extreme temperatures.
Ski or thick wool socks are the best. Remember to avoid cotton!
Legs
Wool or polyester long johns or thermal leggings are best for a base layer with wool underwear underneath. Jogging bottoms or sweatpants are good for the mid layer and over the top you can wear salopettes but thermal one pieces will be provided so this will be your third layer.
Top half
Layers layers layers! Have we said that enough? Again, wool or polyester base layers are ideal with a fleece top as the mid layer. On top wear a pure wool jumper and then your thermal suit will be your final layer.
Jacket
If the weather is very cold (-30 or -40 degrees Celsius territory) or you’d like to bring your own, a down (goose feathers) insulated or down shell jacket is the best choice.
Accessories
Pack a hat or beanie. The best option is the ones with the fur ear flaps.
Gloves are also an absolute must and it is best to bring extra pairs in case you lose one. Thin gloves are recommended to operate phones and cameras as in below freezing temperatures; you do not want to take off your gloves even to take a photo. Over top, wear insulated gloves or mittens.
If you’re going husky or reindeer sledding or snowmobiling, a balaclava, buff or snood are great to shield your face.
Dressing for the temperature
0°C – The essentials
- Wool base layer
- Wool socks
- Fleece jacket/ wool jumper
- Wool hat
- Thin gloves with touch screen fingers
- Insulated gloves/ mittens
-10°C
The essentials plus...
- wool or polyester scarf, buff or snood
-20°C
The essentials plus...
- Jacket for an extra mid layer
- Extra pair of gloves for inside insulated gloves/ mittens
- Extra pair of wool socks
- Wool or fleece balaclava, buff or snood
-30°C
The essentials plus...
- Adding an additional fleece or wool mid layer
- Make sure boots are well insulated
- Add hand and foot warmers
-40°C
At these temperatures, you need to dress like an Arctic Explorer or Darth Vader! Leave all sense of fashion behind, you need to be fully covered!
The essentials plus...
- 2 balaclavas or buffs - first balaclava layer needs to be made with polypropylene and the second made of wool or fleece as you need to cover every inch of skin as skin exposure can result in frostbite quickly
- Professional grade outer layer such as a soft-shell to combat the wind
Extras
- Woollen underwear
- Jeans or casual trousers for the evenings/ when inside
- Sunglasses
- Swimming costume (for the pool or sauna)
- Christmas jumper – to get into the festive spirit
- Small backpack for tours
- Extra camera battery and memory card
- Portable charger (batteries don’t last as long in the cold!)
- Hand and feet warmers
- Torch (if staying in a log cabin)
- All the moisturising care – moisturiser, lip balm and hand cream as well as suncreamv
- Ski equipment (e.g. goggles, helmet, ski boots, salopettes, ski jacket etc.) if going to ski but ski clothing is provided for the ski tasters