What to Wear in Lapland, Finland in Winter: My Full Packing List

Ultimate Packing List For Lapland, Finland

The good news about hanging out in the arctic is that you don’t need jeans, dresses, cute shoes, etc. 

Why? Because it is a snowy winter wonderland and all of that is super impractical. And it will probably get wet and be freezing. 

So you actually don’t have to pack a ton of things. The only issue is that the things you’ll pack can be a bit bulky. So let’s dive into this Rovaniemi packing list.

Lapland, Finland Winter Basics to Pack

Yes, we all need to pack the basics. Things like underwear, pajamas, etc. Here is what to bring to Rovaniemi in winter.

Women’s Basics for Lapland:

• 1 basic bra.
• 3 sports bras. You’re mostly in sports-type clothing on this trip, so no need to wear a regular bra all the time. Pack those sports bras for dog sledding, snowshoeing, etc. I basically lived in sports bras.
• 7 pairs of underwear. I won’t judge you for packing extra. I always bring extra because I have an irrational fear of crapping my pants.
• 3-4 pairs of hefty winter socks. No, I’m not talking about regular old sneaker socks. You need hefty socks. I packed my heat holder socks and LOVED them. Why am I only telling you to bring 3-4 pairs for a week? Well, that’s because you’ll be layering them.
• 7 pairs of wool socks as a base layer sock.
• 1 pair of pajamas. You can either do these cute long sleeve ones or short pajamas if you get hot while sleeping. The rooms get pretty cozy in Lapland. 
• 1 bathing suit. Yes, this sounds preposterous in the midst of winter. However, Finland is the land of saunas. And yes, while they are typically nude, I personally didn’t feel comfortable doing that while sharing a private sauna with my friend. So we wore swimsuits. This is great if you go take a dip in a jacuzzi (or a lake) too!
• 1 thick scarf. This is necessary. And not a wimpy dainty scarf. I’m talking about a scarf that is thick and warm. I love a nice wool scarf. 
• 1 pair of ear muffs/hat. This is based on your preference. I actually just wore running ear warmers (I lost my ear muffs), so that works too, but a hat is better in super cold conditions. 
• 1 pair of snow gloves. Nope, regular old gloves won’t cut it the whole time. You need waterproofing. The kind you can get in a snowball fight with or ride on the back of a dog sled. These even sort of work with your phone (although they’re bulky so it’s hard to really text with it).
• 1 pair of regular gloves. If you’re not messing with the snow and it’s not super cold, you could get away with these. I wore regular running gloves to Santa’s Village and the Arctic SnowHotel.
• Whatever jewelry you want. I’ll be honest, you’ll be doing a lot of activities, so you really won’t need much.
• Laundry bag.

Men’s Basics for Lapland:

• 7 pairs of underwear. Again, no judgement if you bring more!
• 3-4 pairs of hefty winter socks, like these heat holders!
• 7 pairs of wool socks as a base layer sock.
• 1 pair of pajamas. You can choose long sleeve or short sleeve based on your preferences. 
• 1 pair of swim trunks. Again, clothing is optional when it comes to the sauna, but you’ll need this for a jacuzzi (or the lake), and if you too don’t want to go nude in the sauna.
• 1 thick scarf. Wool scarves are the best!
• 1 pair of ear muffs/hat. Hat again is better in frigid temps. 
• 1 pair of snow gloves. Yes, waterproof and warm!
• 1 pair of regular gloves.
• Jewelry as you like. Again, you won’t be dressing up so no need to go nuts. 
• Laundry bag. 

What to Wear in Lapland: All the Layers You’ll Need!

We’ve discussed what to bring when it comes to underwear, pajamas, etc. But now we need to talk about what you’re wearing outside.

Yes, I have a whole packing list for Europe in winter, but exploring the streets of Paris in January or sipping mulled wine at the Christmas markets is FAR different than standing for 2 hours in the middle of the night watching the northern lights in the arctic.

So while you can get away with jeans and perhaps an underlayer in many places in Europe, in Lapland, you’ll mostly just wear snow gear. 

I know, because I basically lived in thermal leggings and snow pants for a whole week in the arctic. So let’s chat about what to pack. And as a warning, this is where things get bulky. 

Women’s Packing List for Lapland: Layers

• 2 pairs of Merino wool base leggings. Wool is great as a base layer as it keeps you warm but also is moisture-wicking so you don’t get smelly after spending time snowshoeing (it’s a workout!). But this would be layer 1. And I’ll be honest, I didn’t bring these because 1) it was around 32ºF/0ºC the whole time we were there so it wasn’t THAT cold (keep in mind that I live in Cleveland, Ohio, where it was colder there than it was in Lapland when we visited in late February/early March 2025), and 2) I run hot (probably from years of living in a cooler climate). But if you’re someone from Florida or you get colder easily (or if it is colder than freezing outside), I would 100% pack some of these. 
• 2-3 pairs of fleece leggings. Now these I definitely wore during my week in the arctic. And I loved them! I purchased these before my trip, and now I wear them throughout the winter back home all the time. In fact, I’m wearing a pair now as I type this. This was my base layer, but if it is colder (and it gets really cold in January), or you’re sensitive to cold, this would be layer #2.
• 1 pair of workout thermal joggers. I wore this sometimes while out and about in Rovaniemi when it wasn’t super cold as they are warm. I wore them to Santa’s Village! However, keep in mind that it wasn’t super cold (and I definitely wore snow pants instead for northern lights chasing and other activities). It was also nice to wear on the plane or in my hotel.
• 1 pair of snow pants. As you potentially have 1-2 layers under your snow pants, you really don’t need to bring more than 1 pair. Also, these things can be super bulky and take up space. I just wore one pair the whole time and it was great! A pro-tip is to try on your snow pants with a couple of layers under them to see if it fits and maybe size up. 
• 4-5 shirts for layering. Again, Merino wool works as a base layer. You can wear multiple at a time to stay warm. I ended up just wearing my old sweat wicking running shirts and putting a thermal workout shirt on top rather than Merino wool, but that is just my preference.
• 1 sweatshirt. I packed my Eras Tour sweatshirt to wear on really cold days over my shirts. 
• 1 tri-climate jacket. I’m a huge fan of my TheNorthface tri-climate jacket. That is because it’s basically 3 jackets in 1. You have a waterproof hooded rain jacket and an insulated jacket, and they zip into each other, creating a super warm waterproof jacket. As you’ll potentially be layering several shirts and a sweatshirt underneath, you may want to size up. 

Men’s Packing List For Lapland: Layers

• 2-3 pairs of Merino wool under layer pants.
• 2 pairs of running thermal pants. My husband loves running in thermal running pants in the winter.
• 1 pair of snow pants. 
• 4-5 layering shirts. You can layer these as needed.
• 1 sweatshirt. My husband loves his Hoppin’ Frog Brewery sweatshirt (and I steal it from him often). 
• 1 tri-climate jacket with the rain layer and insulated layer. 

What Boots to Pack For Lapland, Finland

The great news is that while you have a pretty bulky amount of clothes to bring, you really only need 1 pair of shoes. And that is a pair of nice snow boots. 

Snow boots are waterproof, making them great in the snow, and are insulated to keep your feet warm. 

And you’ll want snow boots with good traction on the bottom. 

And, just like your jacket and snow pants, you’ll want to try on your boots with your 2 pairs of socks to see how they fit and if you need to size up. 

I think it’s funny because I’ve lived in Cleveland for years, where we regularly get a LOT of snow in winter, and I didn’t own snow boots until this trip. I’ve just worn hiking boots or other shoes. But snow boots are far better for the insulation, and now I love wearing these at home in the winter too. 

Here are the snow boots that I purchased. If you can’t tell from other hiking lists, I’m a big fan of Merrell.

Here are some great snow boots for men. 

Other Super Useful Items You’ll Want to Pack For Winter in Lapland

You’ve definitely got a great list of things to wear while in Finnish Lapland, but here are things that you likely haven’t thought of that you’ll want to bring!

• 1 pair of ski goggles. This can be helpful while dog sledding, skiing, or snowmobiling to protect your eyes. 
• 1 pair of sunglasses. Even if you’re not in a super sunny place, the thing about snow is that it is white and reflects light like crazy. I’ve been skiing in the Alps and saw people burn the whites of their eyes from not wearing some sort of UV protection. Sunglasses are super key in the sunshine.
• Sunscreen. Just like with your eyeballs, you can get a sunburn even in wintertime. Light is just getting reflected like crazy (outside of like peak winter when it’s mostly dark)! So if you’re outside during the day, wear SPF on whatever parts of your body are exposed (mostly just your face). 

What I Wish I Had Packed During My Trip to Finnish Lapland

Even though I did a ton of research and purchased items before my trip, I still learned mistakes along the way. Thankfully, you don’t have to! So here are things that I wish I had packed with me.

• Rechargeable hand warmers. These would’ve come in handy while standing outside in the dark at night watching the northern lights. It was cold, and rechargeable hand warmers would’ve been lovely. 
• Feet warmers. Like hand warmers, these would’ve come in handy for my feet while standing in the snow for hours watching the northern lights.
• Ice cleats for my boots. While my winter boots have traction and are great in the snow, when it comes to ice…not so much. My friend Amanda brought her ice cleats and was clickety-clackety on the icy sidewalks of Rovaniemi just fine. Meanwhile, I was slipping and sliding. Next time, I’m bringing the ice cleats. Note that you may have to check your bag if you’re bringing these.
• Optional: Heated gloves. You don’t really need this, but if you want fancy heated gloves, you can buy this too.

Toiletries to Pack For Finland in Winter

Okay, now that you know what to wear in Rovaniemi and the arctic circle in winter, here are other important things to pack! 

• Shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Honestly, most hotels at least provide shampoo and soap, so I almost never pack this these days. 
• Face wash and face lotion. I’m a big fan of the Caudalie Vinopure face wash! I just put it in a travel sized container.
• Razor.
• Deodorant.
• Brush.
• Hair products. I’ll be honest, as you’re mostly doing sporty things, I pretty much kept my hair in a pony tail and packed hair ties. 
• Any additional makeup or face products (again, I didn’t really wear make up given the activities). 
• Teeth stuff: toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss.
• Sleeping mask. Great when hotels don’t have black out curtains or on the plane. 
• Hand sanitizer. It’s cold and flu season, y’all.
• Face masks for the plane. Y’all it is cold and flu season. I remember flying in 2022 during the winter and caught a cold 3 TIMES while flying and everyone was hacking. I am much more wary while flying in the winter months these days and wear a mask because nobody wants to be sick on vacation. 

First Aid Packing For Winter in Lapland

Yes, it is cold and flu season while traveling to Lapland, Finland in winter. And yes, I did catch a cold while there (it happens). And I completely forgot to bring my usual first-aid kit. So I spent like $40 at a pharmacy getting cold supplies, tissues, vaseline for my poor red nose, etc. 

So here are things you’ll want to pack with you so you’re not wasting time at a pharmacy while on your trip. 

• Prescribed medications. This goes without saying. You’ll want to pack these and have your prescription on you.
• Any vitamins you take.
• OTC pain relieve/fever reducer.
• Cold medicine of choice.
• Antacid.
• Cough drops.
• Emergen-C tables or immune boosting supplements.
• Bandages.
• Antiseptic wipes. I also just carry these cleaning wipes to clean off my tray table, phone, etc., while traveling. 
• Tweezers.
• Feminine hygiene products. 

I know this sounds like a lot, but you don’t need the full packs. Just take a little of everything that you may need and put it in a smaller bag.

All the Gadgets and Packing Items

Here are all the gadgets and fun things to pack along for your trip!

• Camera, lenses, charger, extra batteries, and memory cards. Everyone has their own preferences, but for capturing the northern lights, you’ll want a really good camera. I used the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mirrorless Digital Camera and made sure to pack my 12-40 mm pro lens. I also used my phone a lot for regular photos while out and about. Extra batteries are key because the cold drains the battery faster. 
• Tripod to rest the camera on. This is optional, and I didn’t take it because of weight in my luggage. I has other things to pack in addition to all this because we were in Paris for a few days before and after and I needed different clothes for that. Ideally, you’d have a tripod to take better northern lights photos.
• Phone and charger. I used my iPhone 13 Pro Max, and I’ll be honest, the northern lights video quality isn’t the best. The newer models have far better photography and video quality for the northern lights. 
• Portable charger for your phone. 
• Kindle and charger. You’ll have some downtime during the day (a lot of action is at night!). 
• Travel adapters. 
• Over the shoulder bag for walking around Rovaniemi, heading to the lodge, etc.
• Packing cubes. But not just any packing cubes, these compression ones are super helpful!  
• Luggage. I used my checked bag from Level 8, but if you can fit this all in a carry-on (which might be doable if you wear some bulkier items on the plane and use compression packing cubes), then I love both this Osprey backpack or this Level 8 carry-on. 
• Personal item to pack toiletries, camera, over the shoulder bag, other gadgets, etc. I usually put all this in my Longchamp. 

Lapland Packing List: Important Documents

And finally, here are important things you need to bring!

• Passport. Make sure to have at least 6 months of validity on it from the date you plan to return. 
• Visas. This is if you need it. Be sure to check both your government’s travel website as well as Finland’s website.
• ETIAS (New in 2026)! This is starting in the last quarter of 2026, but if you’re traveling to the EU this is required from people from visa-exempt countries (that includes the US, Canada, Australia, etc.). Read more about it here! Also, if you’re flying through the UK at any point during your trip, you will need an ETA, which is similar. Read more about that here.
• Travel insurance. I love World Nomads and used that for this trip. 
• Copies of your passport, travel insurance, tickets, confirmations, itinerary, and visas/ETIAS/ETAs as necessary. 

Weather for Lapland, Finland in Winter

Now I will ALWAYS advise that you check the weather ahead of time before going on your trip. That is because what is typical for the time of year may not always be what is happening when you’re there.

For instance, we were there during a not super snowy winter. And it hovered around freezing most of the time. Now we went in late February/early March where that isn’t as cold as say January, but it was an odd year. But the weather will definitely affect how many layers you wear on any given day. 

Here is a monthly weather breakdown for winter:

• December: Average high is 24ºF/-4ºC during the day and 12ºF/-11ºC at night. They have precipitation for about 9 days during the month. Average daylight hours are between 2-3 hours per day.
• January: Average high is 19ºF/-7ºC during the day and 4ºF/-16ºC at night. They have precipitation for about 9 days during the month. Average daylight hours are between 3-5 hours per day.
• February: Average high is 22ºF/-6ºC during the day and 8ºF/-13ºC at night. They have precipitation for about 7 days during the month. Average daylight hours are between 7-9 hours per day.
• March: Average high is about 32ºF/0ºC during the day and 14ºF/-10ºC at night. They have precipitation for about 6 days during the month. Average daylight hours are between 10-12 hours per day.

That wraps up the ultimate packing list for Lapland, Finland in winter! This includes everything I brought, what I wish I had packed with me, and more! 

Let me know if you’re planning a trip to Lapland in winter! 

Want more Europe winter travel ideas? Check out these posts!

• My Perfect 7-Day Lapland, Finland in Winter Trip
• How to See the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi
• How Much Does a Trip to Lapland, Finland Cost?
• What to Wear in Europe in Winter
• Ultimate 10-Day European Christmas Market Itinerary
• Cologne Christmas Market Crawl in a Day
• Best Prague Christmas Markets
• Vienna in December Guide
• 4 Days in Budapest
• 2 Days in Budapest
• 2 Days in Vienna
• 1 Day in Bruges
• 1 Day in Antwerp
• How to Spend 1 Day in Bratislava
• 2 Days in Prague

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