going to lapland dec 06.any tips to keep warm?

stormCat99

If you're flying into Ivalo I take it you're staying in Saariselka? We stayed there - and also at the Kakslauttanen. You say you're being met by a reindeer, does that mean you've taken the option of a reindeer ride to your hotel?

One thing I would say, is that the only time during our whole 10 days in Saariselka - during which we toboganned, skied, snowmobiled, walked around - the only time we got cold was when on the reindeer ride. They only give you a thinnish blanket on top of you, and although we obviously had all the layers on and also the special boots they gave us everyone's feet nearly dropped off lol!

So if you're doing this on arrival then definitely wrap up as warm as you can, more than you think you need to, just for the reindeer ride. If however you're getting a taxi to the hotel, then you'll be fine in just normal clothes/shoes. We were quite worried about this too beforehand, but everyone on the plane had just normal clothes on. We did too, although took our ski jackets with us. But we had no special shoes or socks, or salopettes or gloves, at the point we left the plane at Ivalo - I just had trainers and jeans on! Obviously it felt chilly but you were only outside for a moment so it was fine. We'd have been far too hot on the plane all toggged up!

shazziere

boots-babe...have just checked brochure.We are staying in saariselka (hotel Holiday club).It says we have a 20 minute coach journey transfer having first been met by a reindeer for photo opportunities.

Hopefully we will be ok for such a short time but may stick one extra layer on and take gloves etc on plane as they wont be too much hassle?

Nile

As others have suggested, wear layers to keep warm.


When I was (inside the Arctic Circle) in Norway, I was advised to wear 5 layers of clothes. Warm air is trapped between the layers, so it's not the thickness of each garment/layer that counts.

I wore woolen fingerless gloves and then gortex gloves on top. When it was time to take a photograph, I would remove the gortex gloves and still have some protection from the cold from the fingerless gloves..........with the added bonus of manual dexterity from bare finger tips.;)

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet.........but you might want to buy some self heating hand warmer hot pads. I've bought some recently, two sachets (one for each hand) cost £1.49. Once activated, the hot pad provides up to 8 hours of continuous warmth. Pefect to carry in your coat pocket. They are sold in outdoor/camping/mountaineering/walking shops.

Enjoy your holiday.

Regards

Nile

shazziere

Nile, several years ago (about 20 i think!) my brother get burned with a pocket warmer pad.it was the sort that used slow burning charcoal .How do you activate these pads?

stormCat99

shazziere,

Yes you'll be fine in that case then, I wouldn't worry about wearing anything special, perhaps take some gloves along.

We spent 6 nights at the Holiday Club, it was really good and you'll have a great time there. We loved waffles for breakfast every day!

If you go on any trips don't book through a hotel as it is more expensive, you are better off going directly to one of the local places such as Lapland Safaris, Erasetti Safaris, Husky and Co (this one is directly opposite your hotel).

If you have chance, it's worth taking the bus (goes from outside your hotel) to the top of Kaunispaa. It's only a 5 minute ride and the views are amazing. You can have lunch/coffee/a hot toddy at the restaurant/cafe at the top, and then toboggan down the largest toboggan run in the world (1.3km). It was amazing fun, we went 3 times. Make sure to take a toboggan with you though, you can usually find them lying around outside the hotel and they are there for you to help yourself.

Hope you have a fantastic time, you've made a great choice of holiday

Nile

shazziere wrote:

Nile, several years ago (about 20 i think!) my brother get burned with a pocket warmer pad.it was the sort that used slow burning charcoal .How do you activate these pads?

Hot Pad Disposable Handwarmer

Directions For Use

Separate each outer pack and cut open at one end to remove the Hot Pad.
Shake its contents for a few minutes in the open air until warmth is activated.
Place the Hot Pad inside a pocket or glove, squeezing it gently with the fingers.
Occasional squeezing with the fingers will ensure maximum heat output.

Specifications

Heat duration: Up to 8 hours
Temperature: Between 50oC and 55oC
Weight: 34grams

livinginhope

we go skiing to Lapland as its so cheap,last time we went it got to -32 ouch,all I can say is make sure you cover your face as your nose and breath freezes and it can be hard to breathe.We too had problems with batteries freezing.Good cotton gloves with ski mittens on top keep hands toasty,lots of thin layers and you will be fine.Hope you enjoy it

pedigreeblu

When i took my son to lapland the hotel provided a thermal suit, and even when temperatures touched -29 we were plenty warm enough,just with a t-shirt underneath,its a very dry cold not like the uk where it is damp, only dangers were moving swiflty i.e. on the husky sleigh ride and the skidoos, when you had to cover your face up,