Winter in Lapland is truly amazing, with its breathtaking scenery and so many outdoor winter activities to enjoy. However, imagine that you don't protect yourself enough against the cold and you cannot fully enjoy everything that Lapland offers simply because you are cold. Let us guide you on how to stay warm above the Arctic Circle to fully enjoy all that Lapland has to offer.
What's important?
Remember that Lapland is in the Arctic Circle, a place well known for being cold. That means it could be very cold in the winter. In deep winter temperatures could drop to around -40°C in the day, and for us locals life goes on as normal, because we wear the right things. At the same time temperatures here can change rapidly. It’s common for the temperature to swing as much as 20 degrees in just an hour or two, so layering is very important. So how do we cope? First of all when the weather is cold, say -15°C and below, the snow is not wet but dry, light and fluffy. So prioritise warmth over water protection. That said if you wear a waterproof outer layers then you know you can just play in the snow for hours.
What to wear?
Start with thermals top and bottom. Then a pair of waterproof insulated ski trousers (ski pants). On top follow that with ideally a breathable zippy top or warm jumper like a fleece. On top of that a warm down jacket or heavy parka or an insulated ski jacket. Battery powered heated clothing is also available. For your feet, the warmest winter boots you can find. Winter specific boots are great as the soles have rubber compounds that grip the snow and ice better than summer hiking boots. This type of boot is also good if you suffer with cold toes. Inside your boots, the warmest socks you can find. Merino wool socks are great. You can now also get battery powered heated socks that work really well. For your neck, a neck tube. This will stop warm air escaping your jacket and you can cover you face if it is really cold. A neck tube also allows you to close your jacket properly. Foxfires design neck tube (the one Paul is wearing in the picture) is available in our shop. Then to top it all off a warm hat that covers your ears.
On our Instagram page (@levifoxfires) under highlighted stories called "What to wear", you can watch videos where we are showing you what we wear for the cold.
Remember to protect your skin
Apply moisturiser to your face at least half an hour before going outside. Do not use water based or oil-free or gel-like products on your skin when you are going outside in freezing conditions as the water can freeze on your skin causing skin damage and frostbite. An oil based barrier cream for your face will add a little protection in very cold conditions. On bright sunny days it's essential to protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen as the sun's rays radiate up from the snow.
It is very important to keep you hands and feet warm
Your hands and feet are the first to get cold, so make sure you protect them well. Hand and toe warmers are widely available in Lapland and work really well. They start working as soon as you open the packet. Minerals inside the packs react with the air and start to heat up. The heat will last for around 8-10 hours. The toe warmers have a sticky back so you can stick them to the top of your sock. Please remember, dispose of them properly in a waste bin when they have cooled down. In "Our winter guide to Levi Lapland", we show you a variety of gloves and mittens that we own, along with explanations of which ones are suitable for different weather conditions.
What if you don't have winter clothes?
If you don’t have winter clothes, don’t worry, you can rent all the essential winter clothing you could need in Lapland. In Levi you can even pre-order, so your winter set will be delivered to your accommodation. Check our Lapland guide for all the links of where to rent them.
There is also a page with our 10 pro tips on how to stay warm even in -40°C.
For more detailed information refer to our comprehensive Lapland guide.
Our extensive local knowledge and years of experience are poured into the pages to help you save time and reduce stress whilst planning your trip. This is the most comprehensive Lapland guide that is written by locals and includes all the information that you need for your Lapland trip.
Happy reading
Aggie, Paul & Gooseberry
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