Tips for Winter Activities Holiday...

janem2

Guys

Going on my first winter break - to Iso Syote in Finland. I won't be ski-ing but will be going on reindeer, snowmobile and husky safaris etc.

I am staying self catering in a cabin and will have the snow suit provided.

As someone who normally goes to a hot place, I haven't got any good hints and tips -- anyone have any to share?

I have been told to take firelighters as cabins normally have fires but no matches or firelighters...

Any others?

TIA


J

MenstrieBen

firstly get a good (warm) hat!

gloves are handy, its worth getting several pairs of liner (thin gloves) and a pair of mits or ski gloves that can go over them, that way you can have some spare inner ones in a pocket and its less trouble trying to make sure you have your only pair dried out overnight.

buffs (a tube of material usually with some kind of fancy pattern on) are also great and very versitile, over your hear, round your neck or even pulled up over your face if its very cold. you'll get them from just about any outdoor shop

lidl are about to do ski/winter kit so you might get some stuff there if you have one handy

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20081117.index.ar11

sunglasses (possibly goggles as well) and a good sunscreen are essential, remember to put some up inside your nose/ears as its suprising where the snow can reflect the sun to!

have a great trip

BillScarab

Take spare batteries for cameras and camcorders. They drain quickly in cold weather. Carry the spares in an inside pocket to keep them warm.

I'd say take a couple of hats and a couple of pairs of gloves then if one gets wet you've got a sprare. Thermal underwear is a good idea.

We went ot Finland a coupe of years ago to see Santa and we wore,

Thermals, t-shirt, micro fleece, fleece jacket and then the oversuit. On our legs we wore themals, jogging bottoms and the oversuit. The company we went with provided boots with thick socks but we wore our own under those, they also provided mitts so we wore our gloves under those. Balaclavas are handy for keeping all of your head warm.

Some days we didn't have to wear as much as one day it was actually above freezing but you need to be prepared.

We didn't bother with sunscreen as the sun in northern Finland is very weak and it is only daylight for about four hours, the sun hardly gets above the horizon. The lightest it got was like dusk. We were there on the shortest day though so depending on when you go sunglasses and sunblock may be an idea.

EDIT: Here's a link to a Finnish site that allows you to see the weather conditions via roadside cameras. Just find one near where you are going and you can check how much snow there is.

http://www.tiehallinto.fi/alk/frames/kelikamerat-frame.html

jillybee

Water proof gloves for kids, there will be snowball fights and wet hands are not a good idea!
Remember lots of thin layers are better than one thick layer, and easier to take off a layer if too warm.
Carrots to feed the reindeer!?