How to dress – Packing tips

How to keep warm

First of all – you need to dress properly. Functional clothing is key for enjoying and being safe in the outdoors. Loan of warm outer clothing; snowsuit, boots, gloves and balaclava is included when staying with us. In addition, you should pack thermal underwear (preferably wool), breathable layer clothing, plenty of socks (again, preferably wool, rather than cotton or synthetic), and a warm hat.

Happy woman in warm clothes inside Icehotel
Photo Asaf Kliger
The art suite 34 meters inside Icehotel 365
Design Luca Roncoroni & David Ruane | Photo Asaf Kliger

Sleeping on ice

For your night in Icehotel, we recommend you wear thermal underwear, thin wool socks and a hat. The key is to think layers that allow good ventilation of body heat, materials that breathe and avoiding perspiration.

Outdoors Activities in Winter

Important; opt for oil-based creams and skip the morning shower when you have a day planned outdoors.

In winter, temperatures in Jukkasjärvi can drop down to -40 degrees, so it’s essential that you wear clothing that can protect you from the cold; when planning your visit here, you should think in terms of the layer principle. The idea of wearing several layers of clothing is that the air that forms between the layers insulated and ventilate. Avoid cotton clothing, since cotton binds moisture and has a chilling effect.

Outdoor winter wear such as warm overalls, warm boots, hats and mittens are included when you stay at Icehotel. Your base layer or thermals, including long-johns and a long-sleeved t-shirt, should ideally be made out of wool, but also remember to pack fleece sweaters, a scarf and plenty of warm wool socks.

Dog sleds in a blue and purple light in the Arctic
Photo Asaf Kliger
Torne river a cold day in a blue light
Photo Asaf Kliger

WARM ON TOP

A good hat is crucial. It should protect not only the head, but also the ears and neck. 

Gloves should give good protection to the hands while allowing adequate freedom of movement.

WOOL SOCKS

Wool is by far the superior material when it comes to finding warm socks, because it continues to have a warming effect, even when moist.

BIGGER SHOES

Choose footwear that is somewhat larger than you would normally use; so you can fit extra socks and/or insoles. Also, this will keep your feet warm for longer. Also, remember that you can retain heat by changing socks and mittens a couple of times throughout the day.

WIND PROTECTION

The purpose of the outer shell is to provide protection against water and wind in combination with the outer layers. The material should breathe and allow full freedom of movement. Additional clothing is used at very low temperatures; a down jacket or a thick fleece or wool sweater works as an effective additional garment to keep warm.

MOISTURE TRANSPORT

The layer nearest to the body needs to transport moisture away. Choose thermals in a synthetic material, wool or a wool mix. Fleece, preferably windproof, makes an excellent midlayer.

Need new equipment?

If you need a new wool base kit, mid layer, a hat, woll socks or anything else to keep warm and comfortable, please contact us for advise. We will be happy to guide you and we can reserve equipment for you in our shop - just let us know before arrival so we can make sure we have the right size.

Wool socks on a reindeer fur at Icehotel
Photo Asaf Kliger

 


 

Tutorial video ON HOW TO DRESS

Youtube video image