What to Bring

Please note the following luggage limits for the on-tour Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi on March 24:

• Finnair has a weight limit of 50 lbs. per person for one piece of checked baggage (with maximum combined dimensions of 62 inches);

• Carry-on baggage allowance is one piece per person with maximum dimensions of 22 inches long x 18 inches wide x 10 inches high;

• A small personal item such as a small handbag, laptop bag or backpack with maximum dimensions of 16 inches long x 12 inches wide x 6 inches high is also permitted;

• The maximum combined weight for carry-on pieces is 17.5 lbs.

Participants are responsible for their own overweight luggage charges, so please be aware of your luggage limits during the program and those for your international flight carrier.

We suggest you pack anything important, such as your passport or other documentation listed below, or of value in your carry-on.

You will want to make sure you pack appropriate outerwear for the temperature and conditions. Please refer to the below sections for guidance. 

Daytime attire is relaxed and casual, and a wardrobe composed of separates that can be interchanged and layered so an item can be added or removed depending on the weather is the most versatile. The air between the layers is the best insulation against cold and therefore it is better to have several layers rather than just one thick pullover, for example. 

Smart casual attire is appropriate for evening meals, and often travelers will bring an outfit that can be dressed up a bit for the welcome and farewell dinners (jacket and tie not required). Be sure to pack shoes that will be warm and comfortable for you during long days on your feet.

Laundry service and dry-cleaning service are available at the Hotel Haven in Helsinki and at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, for a fee. Note that this service may not be available on weekends. Hair dryers are provided at all the hotels on our itinerary.

• comfortable, broken-in waterproof boots with soles that provide good traction in snowy and icy conditions (higher than the ankle is extremely helpful in snowy conditions)

• comfortable, broken-in walking shoes for time spent indoors and when traveling from one locale to another

• many pairs of socks (not cotton)

Provided outerwear:

The following winter outerwear and accessories will be provided for dog sled and reindeer sled rides as well as the snowmobile ride. You may choose to wear your own outerwear if you prefer; we just want to be sure that no one’s trip is unpleasant due to not being properly dressed. 

• one-piece thermal overall (with zippers in the front and on the sides of the legs, so they are easy to put on and take off)

• boots

• woolen socks (worn on top of your own sports socks for extra insulation)

• mittens (a better choice than gloves for these activities, as fingers stay together in one space)

• balaclava and helmet (only needed for the March 17 snowmobile ride)

Here is a link to images of the outerwear that will be provided. 

Additional outerwear items you will need to bring include:

Jacket

You will need to bring additional cold-weather outerwear for other touring.  One of the most important things you’ll need when traveling in Finland is a heavy-duty winter coat or parka. Things to look for in a good winter coat for Finland:

• Designed for cold temperatures (below freezing)

• Down-filled or down alternative-filled (weightier down coats will keep you warmer)

• A hood is recommended, especially one with an adjustable drawstring

• Wind resistant or windproof to keep out the chilling winds

• Water resistant is desirable

• Hip length or longer; the longer designs will keep your backside warm as well

Note that if purchasing a down jacket, much of the world’s duck and goose down is live plucked from the birds! So, if buying a down coat, be sure to look for one made of ethically sourced down. The two main regulating standards are the Responsible Down Standard and the Traceable Down Standard. These jackets are a bit more expensive, but you might also want to consider synthetic down-alternative items.

Remember when trying on coats at a store or ordering online that you need to think about what you will be wearing underneath. Choose a coat that has a looser fit so it can easily fit over bulky sweaters, fleeces, and layers. If you choose a coat that is too close fitting, it may feel uncomfortably snug when zipped or buttoned up. 

When looking at designs, those which are sleeker and more lightweight will pack and travel easier, but make sure they are designed for below freezing temperatures. If you have to choose between functionality or fashion, choose functionality when it comes to picking a good winter coat!

Accessories

• a warm hat

• gloves/mittens

• a warm neck gaiter/scarf/face covering for windy weather

Layers

Dressing in layers is the best way to stay warm in cold temperatures. Recommended layers you should pack for daily wear are as follows:

• 1st layer: long sports/thermal underwear and a pair of sport socks (not cotton, as it keeps the moisture on the skin; a variety of performance fabrics are available that are fast-drying).

• 2nd layer: fleece or woolen pullover top; sports or jogging trousers (jeans are also okay, but might limit mobility if they are stiff or tight); for colder days, some may choose to wear a second fleece or woolen sweater, so be sure to have multiple sets.

• 3rd layer: warm winter jacket, warm wool or fleece hat that covers your ears, muffler or neck gaiter to keep your throat area warm, and gloves.

As intermittent rain or snow is likely, you will also want to bring a collapsible umbrella and waterproof overpants to wear over your base layers to ensure you stay dry and comfortable no matter the weather. 

Clothing

• 2-3 pairs of each of the following (for layering):

  • full-length long underwear (not cotton)

  • fleece or woolen pullover tops

  • sports or jogging trousers

• dressier outfit(s) for welcome and farewell dinners—completely optional; jacket and tie NOT required

Other

• bathing suit (clothing is not traditionally worn in Finnish saunas, but travelers who prefer to are welcome to wear a swimsuit or towel.)

Documentation

• passport

• drivers license, if you plan to drive a snowmobile

• printed copy of your e-ticket for your flights

• photocopies of credit cards

• extra passport photos (in case you lose your passport and need to apply for a new one)

• photocopies of any prescriptions for prescription medications you are bringing with you 

• a printed list of all medications you take (prescription and OTC)*

Toiletries, Medications & First Aid

Consider decanting your products from home into reusable travel containers to avoid additional single-use plastic.

• sunscreen and lip protection

• anti-bacterial gel or towelettes

• face masks or respirators (CDC guidance here)

• tissues (small travel packs)

• Aspirin®/Tylenol®, etc.

• cold remedies

• anti-diarrheals (Imodium AD® and/or Pepto Bismol®)

• motion sickness preventives

• prescription medications (in their original containers)

• an up-to-date record of medications you take, known allergies and chronic medical conditions

Miscellaneous

• day pack or backpack

• sunglasses

• refillable water bottle

• collapsible umbrella

• voltage converters and plug adapters

• reusable bags for storing toiletries, supplies and keeping camera equipment dry

• money belt

• travel sewing kit

• TSA-approved luggage locks

• extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts*

• washcloth (many European hotels do not provide washcloths; if you prefer using one you may want to bring one or two from home)

Optional Special Equipment

• Yaxtrax or other slip-on traction devices – these are helpful for the icy conditions we may encounter

• gaiters for low snow boots

• battery operated (or disposable) hand and/or footwarmers

Adapter

You will need an adapter plug that looks like this to charge any of your electrical devices. If you travel frequently, a universal adapter will cover you on this trip as well as your future travels.

Converter

Most laptop computers, cell phones, and digital camera battery chargers can operate on a range of currents from 110-240 volts, in which case a converter is not necessary since the current in Finland is 230 volts, 50 cycles.