If crunching through the snow, visiting icicle-ladened waterfalls, and breathing in the cold, crisp air while you watch the sky for the Aurora Borealis is your thing? Then the chances are you will have a winter break planned for sometime in the future. However, to get the most out of your snow-capped adventure, you will need to make sure you are dressed suitably, something that the post below goes into detail on.
Warm but wearable clothing
IfContrary to popular belief, not every event or situation on a winter break requires ski attire. That is why it's also essential to pack your suitcase with a range of warm, but wearable clothing.
For instance, fleece trousers are fabulously warm and cosy, and so are perfect loungewear. However, they can get mighty sweaty if worn all day outside of the house. They don't provide much protection against the wind or the rain either so probably aren't the best choice for a winter break. To stay on top of the weather for your trip away, click here for a list of popular weather apps you can download to your smartphone. Tops
With that in mind, some more suitable picks include long-sleeved tops, flannel shirts, and a nice warm coat. If in doubt, opt for a coat that will keep your water and windproof, as well as warm, as they can be real lifesavers!
Trousers
When it comes to what to wear on your bottom half, it's best to steer completely clear of jeans. Yes, they look great and are comfy, they soak up snow and cold water far too quickly to make them a sensible choice. A water-resistant pair of trousers like the ones discussed at outdoorsmagic.com, or some snug leggings are a much better option, especially when combined with robust boots.
Footwear
While we are on the subject of boots, wet, numb feet can ruin even the most impressive winter sights. To that end, choosing your footwear carefully is a hugely important task. Boots, at least to the ankle, are your best, and making sure they are waterproof is a must.
You sock choices are almost as important as your boots in colder locations too as they serve two vital purposes. The first is that they create a comfortable barrier between your foot and the boot, so they need to fit well, and be as comfortable as possible. The second use for socks is, of course, keeping your feet warm. To that end, it's crucial to opt for woollen socks as recommended at bigskyfishing.com and not cotton. In fact, as washingtonpost.com states cotton in any form is terrible news for winter environments, so it should be avoided in sock and any other form at all costs. Winter accessories
In addition to your main items of clothing, you won't want to hit the slopes, or indeed visit any colder location without the following essential accessories.
Headgear
The first is a warm hat or headband. When it comes to hats, there are many factors to consider before you make your choice. The first is the material you hat is made from, fur (faux or real) can be a good choice, as can natural wool. Acrylic wool can work, but won't be quite as warm or quite as good at wicking away any moisture from your head either. Other forms of cloth are usually a no-no unless sported by the locals, which you can take as an endorsement that they will work for the environment in which you find yourself.
Headbands are designed to cover the ears and keep them warm, while also allowing for heat to be able to escape from the top of your head. This means they can be handy if you plan to be doing a lot of physical movement or exercise. Glasses
The next essential winter accessory that you must pack are your sunglasses. Yes, we know it's not summer, but that doesn't mean that the sun is any less bright. After all, when reflecting on the snow, the sun can be even brighter than in the warmer months. It, therefore, presents a serious threat to your eye health, comfort, and all importantly, your ability to see properly.
Unlike the summer, however, buying sunglasses from the high street and then wearing prescription contact lenses underneath is not advised. The reason for this is that, in a wintery location, the air tends to be cold and dry, which can wreak havoc with your contact lenses while they are in your eyes. Instead, find a provider like Eyeglasses.com who can supply you with prospective sunglasses for your trip. There is no need to compromise on style when choosing a prescription sunglasses option either, as many retailers offer designer brands like Guess and Saint Lauren that will look as stylish on the slopes as any highstreet no preposition brand (if not more so). Gloves
Gloves are of course, another winter essential when it comes to travelling. You may even wish to pack more than a single pair as the ones you use for winter sports may not be ideal for a day spent doing a city tour etc. Just be sure to pick ones that not only keep your hands warm, but that are also comfortable and where possible allow you to continue to use your smartphone without having to take them off. The latter being something that can get real tired, real quick!
Skincare
Just like you wouldn't dream of leaving home without your SPF for a summer sun break, there are some skincare considerations for a winter break as well. The reason for this is primarily because the air in winter can be so dry, something that will affect your face and your lips.
Of course, if you are under the bright sun, you will also have UVAs and UVBs to deal with too. Remember that just because it isn't hot, it doesn't mean that the sun isn't damaging your skin!!
With that in mind, packing good quality intensive moisturizer to use at night is essential. You'll also need some decent and hydrating lip balm for the days. Additionally do not forget to pack your SPF for any winter sun holidays either. Winter sports clothing
This section is not for the folks whose idea of winter sports is fondue and apres ski. Instead, it's designed for all you girls and guys that love nothing more than strapping a board or two to your feet and hurtling down a mountain!
The first things you will need are ski or board boots. After all, you can hire boards or skis, and boots can be uncomfortable enough, even if they are your own and have been broken in by your feet, let alone if you have to lease them when you are away.
A ski jacket and ski pants are also a good investment. Be sure to check that they are waterproof though, especially if you are still learning as you will spend more time in the snow than on it. Underneath your waterproof layer, it's all about staying comfortable, without being too cold, or overheating. In particular, a wool base layer of garments including leggings and a long sleeve top is a smart move here, especially if it is made from Merino wool. The reason being that this will not only breathe with your body but is antibacterial too, so should stay smelling fresh even when you do work up a sweat. Day Bags
Whether you are heading up a mountain or into the city for some sightseeing, you will have supplies that you need to carry along with you. That means you need a smaller bag to hold these and take along just for the day.
Also, it is especially important to take the correct supplies for any trips you do on a winter break. The reason for this is that you can easily find yourself in need of some extra layers to stay warm, or some extra calories to give you enough energy to complete your goal.
In particular, backpacks always make an excellent choice for day bags, as they are comfortable to carry, and you can get them in water-resistant varieties too.
Luggage
If you think that it is a challenge to fit all your clothes into your suitcase for a summer break, then you are in for a wintery shock! After all, a woollen jumper will take up more space than a bikini or two!
With that in mind, it's worth putting some serious consideration into whether you will opt for hold luggage or a carry-on.
Of course, taking only a carry on has a multitude of benefits including faster routes through airports, and generally less luggage-related stress and hassle. Some travel bloggers are adamant that a carry on is all you need for even the coldest of winter getaways. You can even find some recommendations for the best carry-ons around, at travelandleisure.com.
However, if you haven't quite honed your winter capsule wardrobe down to a fine art yet, you may wish to opt for a more traditional carry-on. The good news is that as you can see from the post at tripsavvy.com, there are plenty of these to choose from as well. Although a hard shell option makes the most sense because of the added waterproof factor, then even if your precious luggage does end up getting strapped to the top of a taxi in the pouring rain or driving snow, you can be sure that all your cosiest clothes will stay safe and warm inside. All ready for you to change into once you arrive at your winter break destination.
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