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COLD ! Packing recommendations

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Going to Norway (Gausta) in a few weeks with my family (we have 2 teens 17/1Cool - haven’t been there before but I do know it’s going to be Proper Cold and the recent cold spell here has made me realise what a difference a few degrees might make…..

Any suggestions for clothing etc that will be essential /useful? We don’t usually wear/need half the stuff we take as it’s been fairly mild (last year Feb in Chatel we were sweltering in a base layer and jacket, didn’t wear snoods etc) Is merino ‘essential’ for base layers? Or is the usual man-made stuff fine? Pocket warmers?

We usually pack light but this year have loads of baggage allowance so can take extra stuff (which leads onto my next Q - do people buy all their booze for the week at duty free on arrival??)

Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
17/1Cool Not sure where that emoji came from!
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
No, merino is not essential, if you already have man made base layers. Balaclava to wear under helmet is good. Fleece necker essential. Good gloves - preferably mitts - my daughter and family took a box of Decathlon hand warmers to France at Christmas, as they all get cold hands. They last all day (and a box lasts the family all week) and are cosy. Neoprene face mask if it's really cold. Layers. Lots of layers, no cotton.

As for booze, obviously stock up to the max when there's a chance!
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Thank you!
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
The main advantage of Merino for base (and mid) layers is that a single item can be used all week without getting smelly. So your overall packing volume can be reduced by at least three or four items per person (I've even known some people that pack even more than that, insisting on clean base and mid layers every day, which is insane IMO). Merino is also, IMO, better for keeping cool when it gets a bit too warm, but that's as much about ensuring proper fit, i.e. that one layer is not tight on top of another, as anything else. Which of course is also a huge factor in keeping warm. There can be a point at which more layers will compress together and actually become less effective.

I recall back in the day skiing for extended periods of -20C or lower in Canada where I would wear a one-piece suit with a mountain jacket over the top to keep any warmth sealed inside.

Other issues we found were that at extreme low temps your goggles would freeze up in seconds if you got the slightest bit of moisture on them, so carrying a spare pair can be a good idea. But again, I'm talking like -30c here, never had problems in typical Norwegian temperatures.

And gloves. Make sure you have them quite loose and find a good silk or merino inner glove. Tightness around the fingers is a real finger-killer, so many people go for mittens or half-mittens to conserve heat (not my preference though).

Edit: forgot to mention socks. It should be obvious, but thicker socks will not keep you warmer - the boot liner is much more insulating in any case, so all that thicker socks will do will make your boots fit very poorly and possibly put too much pressure restricting circulation to your toesies.
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Some items I've found most useful for really cold temps

- neoprene boot "covers"
- min 2x fleece neck/ face covers per person per day - they get wet when you breathe through them but dry v quickly on restaurant radiators
- rooster heat booster under gloves (silver stuff lined - a game changer)
- a light gilet- jackets often most restrictive round arms so this allows another layer on the core without feeling too tight
- Primark fleece lined leggings under salopettes/under your usual base layers
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For those who really suffer in the cold, like me, I can recommend heated socks and gloves.

I've found these gloves to be affordable and yet effective:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VCJDHNQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07VCJDHNQ&pd_rd_w=Ji5H1&content-id=amzn1.sym.46187d6a-4306-4bc6-830c-7b2085e0e39f&pf_rd_p=46187d6a-4306-4bc6-830c-7b2085e0e39f&pf_rd_r=JMJJ55Z5FGR8A1T1J092&pd_rd_wg=G6tq0&pd_rd_r=85b3debb-73c6-4526-acdf-39bbccf4676d&s=sports&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&tag=amz07b-21

For socks, I needed really thin ones because my boots had been fitted to be snug with thin socks. So I had to go very expensive:
https://www.skibartlett.com/ski-clothing-accessories-c2/clothing-accessories-c17/socks-c63/therm-ic-thermic-ultra-warm-performance-heated-sock-s-e-t-inc-s-pack-1400b-battery-grey-orange-p26230/s109762?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=therm-ic-thermic-ultra-warm-performance-sock-s-e-t-s-pack-1400b-gr-colour-grey-black-size-42-44-89492-11048961&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACm33N3xQEQQ4uVWvDAWr5yDtVcUJ&gclid=Cj0KCQiAst67BhCEARIsAKKdWOm1Dh1rgiPqQ_j1Cb_DSTCdXBk1RAB0ZPLtbA-2lyx3vDQsy3X8xqIaApDOEALw_wcB

If you are happy with thicker socks, there are cheaper options. (You can also get heated liners, but my boot fitter recommended socks because they are more easily replaced if they develop a fault.)
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Was in Banff 2 years ago and it was -26 +wind chill and the items I couldnt do without were Snoods, Ballies and other face covers. In any case the lifties wouldn't let you on with any skin exposed!

Make sure you have plenty of hot chocolate breaks!
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My cold weather mitigation strategy includes:

- Lots of layers - including Merino
- Down/Primaloft layering jacket/gilet
- Balaclava/scarf
- Quality warm gloves (Mittens even better)
- Glove Liners
- Merino ski socks
- Long Johns
- Always wear Goggles
- Coffee stops to warm up
- Try to take lifts that protect from the cold


Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 6-01-25 12:27; edited 1 time in total
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All good advice - although generally as anywhere with skiing will have nothing like the air humidity of the UK (especially at such low temps) - quite often temps around freezing here will feel worse that -20c on the continent provided you're properly dressed for it.
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+1 to the two buffs/neck warmer due to damp, heated boots/socks/insoles, neoprene boot wraps (as effective as heaters IME). Maybe a proper neoprene face mask.

-1 to balaclava, they’re obsolete. Can’t turn them round (like a buff) so the damp patch when you exhale quickly becomes iced up. Can’t easily pull them down to adjust temperature like with a buff. When you exhale the air finds its way under your goggles and ices them up.

A job lot of hotties (chemical hand warmers) from Amazon is usually £30-40 and solves most problems.

Finally - dry everything religiously at night, particularly boots (pull the liners out). Moisture is much more of a problem than cold air in isolation. For that reason, be careful of overdressing and sweating much.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Just 100 miles from the Atlantic, Gausta does experience the same winter humidity of Scotland, albeit colder. It’s not the dry winter cold of the Tirol or Finnish Lapland.

Definitely face coverings for everyone, three or four thin layers on the upper body, a base layer for the legs if very cold.
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@Snow&skifan, at -20C all cold is "dry cold".

Edit: or are you saying it won't actually be very cold?
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Chaletbeauroc,

-20C pah - that's toasty warm! Madeye-Smiley snowHead
Minus fourty-something in Kicking Horse last year was a bit chilly (though lifts wont run below -30).

As noted above. No need for merino specifically, but layer up. A down jacket is good, and as mentioned above mitts and handwarmers. Heated socks a nice luxury.
When it gets really cold, very important not to have exposed skin - I got frost nip in a very short time skiing down even though I thought my balaclava had everything covered - keep checking with ski buddies for signs.
Physio tape is good for covering nose and cheeks
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I'm afraid I struggle to motivate myself to ski much when it's really cold. Find a bar, preferably with a nice fire. I remember a place in Areches-Beaufort (which always seemed a cold place to ski!) where you could hang your jacket above the fire, take off boots and wear cosy slippers. And have big bowls of hot soup and crunchy baguette. Almost all the skis outside were touring skis - we felt like proper outsiders with our alpine gear.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Many clothing items mentioned already, so I'll mention behaviors. Remember to put your hood up on the lift, or all the time if you can stand it. Leave your gloves on...let the phone ring or save the photo ops for right before your warming break. On the cat track back to the lift, get your hands behind you, out of the wind. Check the vent setting on your helmet and make sure its closed.

As for gear, I've noticed folks don't talk about down pants, but they are pretty toasty on super cold days. We all put more layers up top and sometimes ignore the bottom half. You can also wear them around the chalet with a t-shirt at cocktail hour!
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snowdave wrote:
@Snow&skifan, at -20C all cold is "dry cold".

Edit: or are you saying it won't actually be very cold?


That doesn’t help Gausta at +4c to -12c, with systems from the Atlantic. It doesn’t have a continental winter climate.
https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-3155954/Norway/Telemark/Tinn/Gausta

We’ve spent time in southern Norway in winter, it’s bone chillingly cold.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
100% some kind of full neck/face mask - I like the airhole variety! (so I can vape lol)

If its consistently cold but not wet / snowing and clear consider a decent down jacket instead of your usual shell . . . last time I was there quite a few people were skiing in Mountain Equipment Lightline jackets . . (my apres jacket of choice)
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Our daughter suffers from Reynards, so REALLY feels the cold.

We all bought fleece, stretchy base layers from Primark and they were brilliant. She never complained at all.

Screenshot-2025-01-05-at-17-54-40

I wear shell-type ski trousers, so no insulation whatsoever, and a pair of these underneath were proper toastie.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Very few skiers understand how to keep warm in ultracold weather.

The key is to cover the big bloodvessels.

Hot blood = hot body.

That means neckgaiter, wristgaiters, and skimask (balaclava).

Go look at the pro climbers who summit Everest and the South Pole.

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White gold+1.

Your bodies priority is warm blood to the brain.. so neck gaiter (i.e buff) and neoprene facemask are both very useful.

I'd also echo the drying the liners every night is a must.

Also just accept that you have to warm up occasionally.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
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Gloves/mittens loose enough that you can place a shake-n-warm in.

Down jacket with a hood...850 or 900 fill. Maybe layer-able under a shell, or, not.

One-piece fleece farmer john suit. By itself or layered over base clothing.

Cover that skin! Greek dessert hat for sure. Doesn't need to be thick or neoprene. Cold enough to need that stuff and its maybe time to go get a hot beverage inside...
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Strangely, as I get older, I notice that my thumbs (of all things!) freeze really quickly in anything more than minus 10. I dress properly, but thumbs ALWAYS are the first to feel numb.

I use meriono glove liners and mittens, but they are numb for the first hour - always. Weird
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Lots of good advice above but regarding the booze, yes stock up in duty free as Norway is hellishly expensive.
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Check the the limits when buying at duty free - there is an app “Tolletaten” which will calculate if you are within the limit depending on exactly what you plan to buy. It will default to English if that is your phone’s language.
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booze limits (roughly): per adult: 4 bottles of wine + 6 pack of beer. OR, 1 bottle of liquor + 2 bottles of wine.

Not alot, but the state run wine store (called https://vinmonopolet.no/butikk/) can also be used to restock supplies. Avoid buying in bars.

Yes, I am local
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Goslowski wrote:
Going to Norway (Gausta) in a few weeks with my family (we have 2 teens 17/1Cool - haven’t been there before but I do know it’s going to be Proper Cold and the recent cold spell here has made me realise what a difference a few degrees might make…..

Any suggestions for clothing etc that will be essential /useful? We don’t usually wear/need half the stuff we take as it’s been fairly mild (last year Feb in Chatel we were sweltering in a base layer and jacket, didn’t wear snoods etc) Is merino ‘essential’ for base layers? Or is the usual man-made stuff fine? Pocket warmers?

We usually pack light but this year have loads of baggage allowance so can take extra stuff (which leads onto my next Q - do people buy all their booze for the week at duty free on arrival??)

Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received


I'd favour mittens, with liners over gloves. a couple of buff/snoods and or balaclava as exposed skin is not good when its v cold. pack an extra mid layer or two. synthetic or merino. if it does go mega cold, take regular indoor breaks for coffee hot choc etc.

Duty free on arrival is good for wine, although we actually took some wine with us from UK in suitcases. You can buy cans of beer for not to bad a price in resort supermarkets. it will be cheaper duty free, but depends on how much you want to lug with you.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Heated gloves ....!
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Just got back from Finland where it got as low as minus 20 odd last week.

As others have said in general..but I do have a glove 'hack' as the young uns say.

We found that even our expensive Hestra gloves got us cold fingers (even with liners), but the addition of a goretex over-mitt sorted the problem immediately. You can buy outdoor branded ones for 50 quid upwards a pair, or if you're a bit northern like me try army surplus stores where the same thing can be had for about 8 quid a pair if you do n't mind camo.

Have fun, and enjoy frozen nostril hair.

Shippo
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Shipjack wrote:
Just got back from Finland where it got as low as minus 20 odd last week.

As others have said in general..but I do have a glove 'hack' as the young uns say.

We found that even our expensive Hestra gloves got us cold fingers (even with liners), but the addition of a goretex over-mitt sorted the problem immediately. You can buy outdoor branded ones for 50 quid upwards a pair, or if you're a bit northern like me try army surplus stores where the same thing can be had for about 8 quid a pair if you do n't mind camo.

Have fun, and enjoy frozen nostril hair.

Shippo
I'll say it again, Mittens, (even cheap ones) are always warmer than gloves (even expensive ones) as they trap more warm air around the fingers and all work together. With a thin liner gloves even better, and you dont gte a cold hand if you need to de-mitt to zip something up etc.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
You do n't need to say it again, we get it. My point is if you already have gloves that work perfectly well for your usual skiing trips, you like them, you value the dexterity...cheap goretex over mitts might just be the extra cold weather 'add on' you need.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Snow&skifan wrote:
snowdave wrote:
@Snow&skifan, at -20C all cold is "dry cold".

Edit: or are you saying it won't actually be very cold?


That doesn’t help Gausta at +4c to -12c, with systems from the Atlantic. It doesn’t have a continental winter climate.
https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-3155954/Norway/Telemark/Tinn/Gausta

We’ve spent time in southern Norway in winter, it’s bone chillingly cold.


We're in Tromso and ski toured Balsfjord in Camp Tamok in December and January last year.....JEEEHEESSUSSS!!!

-20 and then some.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Yes buy buy buy when you land in the duty free or expect to pay £10 a pint and £15 for a gin and tonic in the hotel.

Avoid Aquavit. I’m sure it’s a joke the Norwegians play on the world Eh oh!

At -40 the guides wont let you ski for more than 45 mins before going inside and warming up again for at least 30 minutes.

At -40 any tears or wetness that leaves your eye freezes. My lad tried to ski for a few metres with his googles up and his eyelashes flash froze with tears in them in Canada.
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