What to Pack for Winter Adventures in Lapland
Learn what to pack for your Lapland winter adventure. Stay warm, travel smart, and enjoy the Arctic snow.
Even the most perfectly scripted Scandinavian winter holiday cannot shield you from the cold weather. Of course, inside your accommodation you will be warm and snug, likewise public halls, waiting rooms and public conveniences are well heated and out of the weather. However, to truly experience Lapland, especially the Northern Lights, you’ll need to venture outdoors. The better prepared you are, the smoother your holiday will be.
We provide comprehensive packing lists before you depart, and many of our packages include winter outerwear or offer it for hire. Still, it’s important to think broadly about how to stay comfortable and safe in Arctic conditions.
What sort of luggage should you bring for a Nordic winter adventure?
As part of your overall packing plan, make sure your essential winter gear is easy to reach when you need it. Transport in Lapland is warm and comfortable, but you’ll frequently move between heated spaces and freezing outdoor conditions. Having a system for quickly taking items on and off, without losing them, will make your trip much more enjoyable.
Choose winter jackets with large, handy outer pockets for gloves, hats, and other accessories. Alternatively, carry a small backpack with compartments for quick access. This way, you can grab what you need at a moment’s notice without rummaging through your luggage.
Try to avoid bringing excessive luggage. Navigating snowy paths and icy roads with heavy bags can be exhausting, especially on multi-stop tours. A streamlined packing approach will save energy and keep your holiday stress-free.
Do You Need Ice Grips for Lapland?
Another suggestion is that you purchase some ice grips that wrap around your boots. These can be very helpful as there can be ice and more dangerously, black ice on the streets and roads of Scandinavia. There is a lot of municipal effort put into clearing sidewalks and roads of ice & snow but it still can take you by surprise. We strongly recommend that you ONLY purchase ice grips on your arrival as ice conditions change a lot. One week they will be helpful, the next week completely unnecessarily if it snows. They typically can be purchased in local hardware or supermarket. Whether you need them or not, also depends on the grip of the boots you are wearing. They aren’t expensive and can really help with your mobility during your winter holiday.
What advice would you give for people packing for the Lapland prior to arrival?
From a fellow traveller just returning from Lapland, here is some more useful ideas to think about when packing.
"Final advice for anyone doing a trip in Lapland....be prepared for things to smell like smoke at the end of the trip. Each of our days involved at least one campfire, which was wonderful, lovely, and necessary - but your outerwear in particular definitely ends up coming home smelling like a campfire. If i had known that I would have packed some dryer sheets to rub over coats and gear before packing. We ended up just packing all of that stuff in one suitcase when we came home.
Reindeer pelts are everywhere. you are constantly sitting on them (around the campfires), and they are rustic and warm and fun. The only downside is that reindeer fur is like glitter... it sticks to everything. And, it is quite course, and kind of a pain to get off of clothing and outerwear. Definitely tell your clients to pack a lint brush - the sticky tape kind - so that they can de-fur when necessary.
Finally, and I could probably give this advance on every trip that I go on, but pack much less than you think you need. Your underlayers are your most important layer, followed by your outerwear. I had visions of myself in cute eating dinners in cute sweater in the evenings, but in reality, I was always in whatever clothes I put on first thing in the morning. There is no glamour in lapland an fashion is definitely not necessary. That being said, one of my unexpected stars was a pair of fleece lined jeans that were warm enough to walk around in when I didn't want to wear snow pants."
What are the roads and infrastructure like in Lapland in Winter?
The winter season in Scandinavia pretty much goes to clock work – centuries of working and living in extreme weather has created an efficient and effective system. An example of this is that airports rarely shut down during snowstorms in Scandinavia. They have the right equipment and infrastructure to cope with all sorts of weather. Scandinavians are proud of their ability to live in cold conditions and rather than being one of those travellers complaining and telling everyone how cold it is, pssst, they have heard this all before, just get on with having a good holiday.
Be sure to ask one of our Scandinavian destination specialists if you have any specific questions about your winter holiday. They are always happy to help.
The key to enjoying a Lapland winter holiday is preparation and simplicity. Pack smart, keep your essentials accessible, and minimize unnecessary items. With the right gear and an organised system, you’ll stay warm, comfortable, and ready to make the most of your Arctic adventure.