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Your Essential Packing Guide for a Winter Holiday in the Nordics

Blog
3 min
December 9, 2024

Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland – offer breathtaking winter landscapes with snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes to shimmering Northern Lights hunting experiences. Packing the right warm clothing is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable holiday.

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Footwear: The Foundation of Your Winter Adventure

  • Thermal Footwear: Invest in high-quality thermal boots.Look for boots with good ankle support and sturdy soles with good grips or consider using crampons for extra traction on icy surfaces.
  • Socks: Opt for thermal socks made from wool or merino wool. Avoid cotton socks, as they absorb moisture and can leave your feet cold and damp.

Layering is Key:

  • Base Layers: Merino wool is a fantastic choice for its warmth, moisture-wicking properties, and natural odor resistance.
  • Synthetic materials: Like polyester or polypropylene, offer excellent moisture-wicking and are often more budget-friendly than wool.
  • Consider a long-sleeved base layer top and bottoms for maximum coverage
  • Mid-Layers: Pack fleece jackets or sweaters for insulation.
  • Outerwear: Waterproof and windproof jacket / trousers are essential if there is a cold wind.

Don’t Forget the Accessories:

  • Gloves: Pack a pair of waterproof and insulated gloves, and consider bringing a thinner pair of gloves for activities that require dexterity.
  • Hats: A warm hat that covers your ears is crucial, or ear muffs if you want to protect your ears but you may need to be able to hear what your guides are telling you!
  • Snoods or Neck Warmers: These versatile accessories provide extra warmth for your neck and face.

The majority of our trips provide cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay, which comprises of a full body suit, sturdy winter boots, gloves and a hat if required.

Other Essentials:

  • Sunglasses: Even in winter, the sun can be strong, especially when reflected off the snow.
  • Sunscreen: Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
  • Lip balm: The cold, dry air can easily chap your lips.

Tips for Staying Warm:

  • Layer up: Adjust your clothing layers throughout the day depending on the temperature and activity level.
  • Stay dry: Avoid getting your clothes wet. If you do get wet, change into dry clothes as soon as possible.
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, even though you may not feel thirsty.
  • Eat regularly: Eating warm, nutritious meals will help keep you warm from the inside out.

Embrace the Nordic Winter:

With the right clothing you can enjoy winter activities in these Nordic countries. Embrace the unique beauty of this winter landscape, and create lasting memories whilst staying warm when you are outside.

Ready for an aurora adventure?

Book with Aurora Nights, the Northern Lights holiday experts. We will personally plan your bucket-list Northern Lights adventure holiday to Swedish Lapland, Iceland, Norway and Finland.