Packing for your Lapland holidays is simpler than you might think. The absolute key is layering your clothes—think a thermal base layer, a warm fleece mid-layer, and your own winter coat. The best part? For all the big adventures like husky sledding or aurora hunting, high-quality arctic-grade thermal suits and boots are provided as rental gear, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own bulky or expensive equipment.

So, the dream trip is booked! You’re picturing yourself on a reindeer sleigh, listening to the silence of a snowy forest, and watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky. But in between the daydreams, one very practical question probably pops into your head: ‘What on earth do I pack to stay warm?’ It’s the number one thing people ask, and honestly, getting it right is the secret to unlocking all the magic of the Arctic.

Forget any images of being miserably cold. Being warm, cosy, and comfortable is easy when you know how. And we’re here to let you in on all the local secrets. Let’s get you packed and ready for the adventure of a lifetime, making sure you’re focused on the incredible scenery, not on chilly fingers or toes.

The Foundation of Warmth: Mastering the Art of Thermal Layering

This sounds technical, but it’s actually super simple and the absolute golden rule for comfort in the Arctic. Dressing in layers gives you ultimate control over your temperature. It traps air between the layers, creating your own personal insulation bubble. If you get a bit warm dashing to breakfast, you can take a layer off. Simple as that. Think of yourself as a cosy onion!

Layer One: The All-Important Base Layer

This is the layer that sits right next to your skin. Its main job isn’t just to be warm, but to wick any moisture or sweat away from your body to keep you dry. A damp base layer will make you cold, fast! Look for materials like merino wool or synthetic thermal fabrics. Please, avoid cotton at all costs—it holds moisture and will make you feel chilled to the bone.

Layer Two: The Insulating Mid-Layer

This is your cosy layer! Its job is to trap your body heat and keep that lovely warmth in. A fleece jacket or a woollen jumper is absolutely perfect for this. It doesn’t need to be incredibly bulky, just effective. This is the layer you’ll likely be wearing indoors when you’re relaxing in your cabin or a restaurant.

Layer Three: Your Everyday Outer Shell

For walking around the village or popping to the shops, you’ll want your own winter jacket. A good quality waterproof and windproof ski jacket or a warm parka is ideal. This layer protects you from the wind and snow, keeping the warmth from your other two layers safely tucked inside. Remember, this is for casual use—for the real adventures, you’ll be using our gear!

Your Arctic Armour: Essential Outerwear from Parkas to Snow Trousers

Okay, we’ve built our warm foundation with layers. Now, let’s talk about the outer shell that protects you from the wind and snow. This is where a lot of people think they need to spend a fortune on specialist gear. Good news, you really don’t. We separate this into two parts: the gear for your epic adventures (which we provide) and the gear for everything else.

What We Provide (The REALLY Warm Stuff!)

This is the game-changer. For every single one of our husky, reindeer, and snowmobile safaris, and for our Northern Lights hunts, we give you a high-tech, arctic-grade thermal suit. Think of it as a super-warm, insulated all-in-one or two-piece that you wear right over your own mid-layers. These suits are designed for deep Arctic conditions and are incredibly warm and comfortable. We also provide specialist winter boots so your toes stay toasty warm. Warm woolly socks and mittens are also available as part of the rental gear for activities, to keep you insulated during your adventures.

This means you don’t have to worry about packing huge, heavy boots or a massive expedition suit. We’ve got you covered for the coldest parts of your Lapland holidays.

What You Should Bring

For all the moments in between the adventures—walking to dinner, exploring your resort, or building a snowman outside your cabin – it’s best to bring your own comfortable outerwear. Recommended items include:

• A Warm Winter Coat: A waterproof parka or a good quality ski jacket is perfect. This is your go-to for everyday use.
• Snow Trousers/Salopettes: While you can often manage with the thermal suits, having your own pair of waterproof trousers is fantastic, especially for kids who will want to play in the snow at every opportunity!

From Head to Toe: The Crucial Role of Hats, Gloves, and Insulated Boots

You can have the best jacket in the world, but if your head, hands, or feet are cold, you’ll be miserable. These are the bits that feel the chill first, so giving them some extra love is the real secret to all-day comfort. Let’s make sure they’re properly looked after!

Your Head: A Beanie is Your Best Friend

You lose a surprising amount of heat through your head, so a good hat isn’t just a suggestion—it’s essential. A simple, snug-fitting beanie is perfect. Look for one made from wool or fleece, and if it has a thermal lining, even better! It’ll keep your ears covered and that precious warmth locked in.

Hands: The Great Glove vs. Mitten Debate

Here’s a top tip from the locals: mittens are always warmer than gloves. By keeping your fingers together, they share warmth. For maximum comfort, we recommend a two-part system:

• Liner Gloves: A thin pair of touchscreen-friendly gloves that you wear underneath. Perfect for when you need to quickly take a photo without exposing your bare hands to the cold.
• Outer Mittens: A thick, waterproof, and windproof pair of mittens to wear over the top.

Don’t forget, while we provide heavy-duty mittens for safaris, having your own comfy pair for walking around is a great idea.

Feet: Happy Feet, Happy Holiday

Cold feet can ruin any experience, so this is one area to get right. The rule is simple: wool socks are your saviour. Merino wool is the best as it’s warm, breathable, and wicks away moisture. Pack several pairs and, just like with your base layer, avoid cotton at all costs! For footwear, while we provide the super-warm snow boots for activities, you’ll need your own pair for everything else. Look for waterproof boots with a good, deep grip on the sole to stop you from slipping on icy patches.

The Finishing Touches: Neck Warmers

A scarf is good, but a neck warmer (sometimes called a buff or gaiter) is even better. They are brilliant because they stay put, keeping your neck warm without long ends that can get in the way or caught on things during activities. You can also pull it up over your chin and nose for extra protection on a particularly crisp and chilly day.

Essential Extras: Gadgets, Skincare, and Other Must-Have Items

You’ve got the clothing sorted, and you’re ready to be warm and cosy. Perfect. Now for the little things that can make a huge difference to your comfort and help you capture those magical memories. These are the items that often get forgotten in the excitement of packing for Lapland holidays, but you’ll be so glad you brought them!

Gadgets for the Arctic Conditions

The number one thing to know about electronics in the cold is this: batteries drain FAST. Seriously, they can go from fully charged to empty in what feels like minutes when the temperature drops. To make sure you don’t miss that perfect Northern Lights photo. A portable power bank is essential for keeping your devices charged. Keep it in an inside pocket near your body heat to maintain battery life in freezing temperatures.

Another fantastic little gadget is a head torch. During the heart of winter, the daylight hours are short, so bringing a head torch is highly recommended during the dark winter months, allowing hands-free lighting when walking back to your cabin or exploring after sunset.

Skincare: Protecting Yourself from the Arctic Kiss

The air in Lapland is pure, crisp, and very dry. This combination can be harsh on your skin if you’re not used to it. Packing a couple of essentials will keep you comfortable:

• A good lip balm: This is non-negotiable! Apply it often to prevent chapped lips.
• A rich moisturiser: A heavy-duty moisturiser for your face and hands will be your best friend, especially at the end of an exciting day out in the elements.

Don’t Forget These Little Lifesavers

Finally, a few other items to pop in your suitcase. If you’re travelling between late winter and early spring (March to April), sunglasses are essential to protect against the bright reflection of the sun off the snow. It’s also a great idea to pack any personal medications and maybe some of your favourite snacks from home for those cosy evenings in your cabin. And the most important thing of all? And most importantly, bring your sense of wonder and adventure—that’s the key to an unforgettable Lapland holiday with Book Lapland.