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Whether you have been on a winter holiday before or you’re about to head out on your first snowy experience, it can be daunting knowing what to pack for an Arctic and Aurora adventure but fear not, we’re here to help.
Though this is not a comprehensive list of everything to pack for your Northern Lights holiday (you can find that in your trip dossier once you book a holiday with us), this blog covers the basics of where to begin with your packing. And don’t worry, you don’t have to go out and buy high-quality gear as we provide you with all the outer layers you need – even winter boots, socks and gloves. Here, we’ll cover the essentials to pack in your suitcase, to ensure your winter holiday gets off to a smooth start.
As always, our Aurora Travel Experts are on hand if you need any advice on 01670 785 012.
Thermals and thin layers
As the first thing you’ll put on in a morning, thermals and thin layers are a great place to start with your packing. These items give you that extra warmth under all the provided winter outer clothing.
Though thick jumpers and hoodies are great to wear day to day, lots of thin layers underneath your provided cold weather clothing will keep you much warmer. You will find a guide to layers of clothing in your trip dossier which will be sent to you once you book a holiday with us.
The number of thermals to bring depends on your length of stay and whether you travel in autumn, winter or spring. One or two thermal bottoms should be fine but you may want to bring a few more thermal tops – surprisingly you can get quite warm during the activities, particularly in spring or autumn so you may want a few fresh tops.
Hand and feet warmers, hats and gloves
The next thing to think about are your extremities. Though gloves and socks can be provided, you may wish to wear your own, or even better bring a thin pair to wear under the thick ones given to you on arrival.
To keep your fingers and toes even warmer, particularly in the cold depths of winter (think -20 degrees!), hand and feet warmers are a brilliant accessory! You won’t need to use them constantly but they are a great addition when you’re heading out on longer activities such as a Northern Lights hunt, a dog sled safari or snowmobiling adventure.
Camera (and tripod if you have one)
Though almost everyone has a phone with a camera, if you want to take a professional-looking photograph of the Northern Lights then you’ll need a DSLR camera and a tripod. Some of our holidays offer Aurora workshops where you can learn about the optimal settings for taking pictures of the Northern Lights but we also include a handy guide in our trip dossier, sent to you once you book with us.
However, many of our guides are experienced photographers and so will have their cameras with them to capture the moment for you.
Sunglasses
The white snow that blankets our Aurora Zone destinations makes everything a lot brighter. Pair this with the Arctic sun and you will definitely want to have some sunglasses on during the day, particularly in spring when the Polar Nights end and the sun starts to appear above the horizon again. In winter, you should be able to enjoy the white snow and stunning blue tones of the barely rising sun without the need for sunglasses.
Winter coat
Though the provided winter overalls are the best clothing to wear during your Northern Lights activities, there are times when you may wish to wear a winter coat. Travelling to and from the airport for example or if you are simply walking from your accommodation to the hotel restaurant, you may not want to always wear your overalls.
Waterproof shoes
Again, winter boots will be provided but when you are travelling to and from your accommodation, it’s best to wear shoes that are durable and waterproof. Preferably this would be snow boots but hiking shoes or other waterproof boots will work. It’s best to wear shoes that come above your ankle as the snow in our Aurora Zone destinations can get rather deep!
Ask an Aurora Expert
Remember that once you book with us, you’ll receive a trip dossier which covers everything you need to know for your Northern Lights holiday but our Aurora Travel Experts are also on hand to help. Having travelled to the destinations and experienced this type of holiday ourselves, we can offer advice on packing, activities, location, weather and anything else you need to know, so please call today on 01670 785 012 if you have any queries.
Image credits: Antti Pietikäinen