Hi am going to lapland on Dec 2nd for 2 nights / 3 days.............we are provided with Thermal suits, Boots etc...... I would like to know what other clothing to take (anything in particular.....as i understand that thinner layers such as long johns, long t-shirts etc...are beter than Fleeces & wool)

Also are there any clothes shops in the London / SE Area that specialise in this sort of wear as i want to start buying for myself and 2 children (aged 4 & very soon.

Thanks in advance.

Jake

Hi there.
After going last Xmas I to was asking the same question.
Underneath the thermal suits provided we would put on a long sleeve thermal vest and the thermal leggings ( got mine from Millets) and the boys from M&S. Obviously you can get them cheaper elsewhere but I had trouble with sizes sold out.
Then would put a fleece over the top and other leggings or track bottoms. As you have the suits on the clothing underneath cannot be seen anyway, so you do not need to worry at what you look like!
Bought ski socks too. You will be provided with socks but best to have extra.
Also your own waterproof gloves a good idae as spares.
The suits are so warm. Only went to -17 when we were there, and it is a different kind of cold there to here.
We took our own scarves and hats too but this is all provided.
As for footwear we just wore if we went out for a walk the boots they provided.
If you log onto msn groups there is a "santas lapland & Xmas club " message board got all my info there. Where are you staying?

Thanks for that.................i thought it would be better to have thermal long johns etc...... but just needed confirmation from somebody who had been............need to started getting all this stuff together shortly.

We fly to Ivalo and then are staying in the resort of SAARISELSKA which is in Northern lapland....in fact 250KM north of the Artic circle the hotel looks nice where we are staying and has an indoor swimming pool with clides etc...... so will be good for the kids to unwind after days trailing in the snow !!

You will notice how hot the hotels are inside. We were wearing short sleeves indoors.
If you take a digital camera take a plastic bag and when you come inside from out in the cold pop it straight into the bag. This helps it work correct- something to do with condensation. We had no probs with ours like alot of others.
You will love it there. They already have had first snow. Shall I send you a webcam link on finland?

Cheers.........i was wondering about digital cameras and whether they will operate properly.................and whether my contact lenses would freeze

Don't worry about a webcam as i know where to look nearer the time.

I kept on looking at the link as it shows all the different areas and kept checking the snow fall.
Good luck with your arrangements! have a fab time!

Many thanks to sunseeker 1 who have provided good links. We are going this year in a log cabin at Yllas (plus 2 adults in the hotel). I have been on ebay purchasing items very cheaply and I hope to resell them on ebay afterwards...... Otherwise Marks and Spencers seem very good. I have found it very expensive as we do not get the clothing included.

Well I did not mind buying the thermals as we will go skiing sometime in the near future.
Also for the boys bought plain white and when it gets really cold in Winter they can put the vests under clothes. Eldest is at secondary and you know what they are like for not wearing coats, so he wears the vest.
There was only 4 hrs of light per day when we were there, so another tip is work out camera settings to cope with the twilight, before you go.
Have loads of pics stored on pc from our trip- the snow was knee deep in places for my husband. and he is tall!
We never ever get snow that settles here, as we live right next to the sea, so it was amazing.
Best trip ever done! Wish it was us again going!
Just like you see on the Xmas cards. If you go to Santas main post office, buy yourself a postcard and write whatever you want. Then send it from the official post box there, and you will find when you receive it back home, an official stamp from the North Pole Post Office. How many people can say they have that?

We flew from Bristol to Rovanemi on December 22 last year and back late on boxing night.
Our flights were perfect. I too was worried. We even landed in snow which was no problems at all.
You would have thought it was a perfect Summers day.
After we came home we realised about the Tsunami. As this was weather related and maybe no where near where we flew, there was no hint of any disturbances at all in the air.
All in all was one of the best smooth flights had. So reassure your son if I can do it so can he!
I would not fly for 20 plus years as I had a fear and now I never think about it.
As for the camera the light is almost twilight even when light. Funny colour too.

Good time to go. Over the Xmas period we had constant snow but apparently the week before Xmas was no snowfall and the rides had to be done on wheels. But thats the weather.
Will post a link that will let you keep an eye on the weather all the time in a mo

Hiya

you can try to arrange everything yourself. We have done. We are going to Lanio snow village and Yllas over new year. We have rented cabins in Yllas with yllassafarit tour company and booked Finnair flights ourselves. The whole cabin is 100 euros a night. But yes trips done with tour operators cost a lot.

Why not arrange the trip yourself with flights with Finnair and cabins etc booked with local tour companies. Very cheap and more fun! We are going to Lanio snow village and Yllas cheaply ourselves booking cabins with Yllas safarit.

We stayed at the Crazy Reindeer in March. It was a superb holiday. Each apartment had its own sauna, the views were spectacular, the food top notch. I couldnt recommend this place high enough. Yes, its cold but if you like to ski whats wrong with minus temps and tonnes of snow.

I went for my 40th and even got to see the Northern Lights (Rare, whatever people tell you). It has to be about -27 and the air still, for the lights to appear.

The village was walkable in 30 mins, the snow (a wicked red run) 10 mins away and the family slopes a short bus ride (we were usually the only ones on the bus, so no hideous queues.)

We went to see Santa, ice fishing on a lake after a reindeer safari.

A truly wicked, wonderful holiday.

We have just booked a full week in lapland with last minute.com. It is with a company called Inghams ski holidays. We booked the same holiday last year and it was fantastic.

You are booked into a cabin in Levi or Yllas you are served breakfast (cooked if you want) afternoon tea (soup and bread or cake and tea/coffee) three course dinner plus wine, cheesboard, chocolates and coffee. Somone comes into the cabin and cooks for you. The food last year was fabulous.

Last minute.com are advertising this same holiday with flight from Manchester but also have Birmingham flights I believe. They are currently being sold for £299 per person. It is a fantastic offer. This doesnt include husky/reindeer rides or Santa visit. You can book them seperately with Inghams each trip costs between £20 - £30 each. But they are worth it. The only week available now is 11 December 2005. If your still interested it might be worth a look.

Levi also has a really good kids area were they can tabogan or ski for free. There is even a little hut with a roaring fire where you can take the little ones if they get too cold. Hot berry juice is provided free of charge.

If you need any more info - email me back I have phone numbers etc..

Regards

I too have booked the spectacular on the 11th December from Cardiff and would also like to know about clothing. I have brought ski jackets for the kids at TKMAX for only £14.99 each.

I have booked the spectacular one day trip on the 11th December 2005 and my youngest is 2 years old. I do not think that this is too young. I was told that they do not advise for under 2 years. We have brought him thrmal under wear a ski jacket and moon boots even though we have paid £25.00 for thermals for him. I will be putting a beanie on him a thermal hat and a balaclava. I think that so long as he is wrapped up he should be ok. I will let you know.

we are going on the spectacular this year thanks for the info you are very thorough. Would you let me know if you had to spend a lot of money whilst you were there and also if you think the trip suitable for a 2 year old. Thanks in anticipation.

Hi..i dont remember us spending much money,there are shops in the hotel but the food and drink are free but you can but souvenirs if you want to
but the photos you take will be the best souvenirs..as regards to a twoyear old well its a lot of money and will he or she really take it all in at that age??and such a loooooong day but you will know best of course..you will not forget the trip whenever you make it....cheers....rod smith

No 2 is not too young. Went all over Xmas last year and it was cold with lots of snow.
However it is not as cold as you think it will be. The suits provided give adequate warmth.
There were under 2's on our trip and all coped well.
Not sure if clothing is provided for those that small. However in Rovaneimi where we stayed there was alot of outlets that sold all in one thermal suits at very good prices and excellent quality.
We even thought about buying ski wear there for another hol, but had too much luggage to carry home.
I would think that if you do not get clothing wait till you get there for your little one and buy it