5 essential items you need to pack for your winter holiday
With the feeble winters we are used to in the UK, especially in the more southerly half, we can become overly used to just rushing out of the car and into the shop with little more than a jumper on to keep the cold at bay. When snowfall measures just an inch, and bright sun and soaring temperatures the next day are going to melt it away before breakfast, we’re not undergoing any sort of survival training for the real, honest-to-goodness, brutal winter landscape that you come across when you go away for a holiday in the snow.
Whether you are driving up to Aviemore in Scotland for great skiing conditions, or heading abroad for some foreign snow, you’ll need to keep warm throughout your trip. Here are 5 things you’ll need to pack to make sure you don’t succumb to foreign chills!
image by photoeverywhere.co.uk
Clothes: it comes down to quality over quantity
Simply adding extra layers of cheap clothes is not usually the best way to keep warm. Fewer but good quality winter clothes, made from real wool, is the way to go. A jacket or coat that is designed for bad weather is paramount, and good quality thermal underwear will keep you warm. Most will still continue to work well even if it gets wet. Take plenty of woolen socks,because those will get wet for sure, and feet get cold quicker than almost any other part of the body. If you have young children with you, remember they can get cold much more easily than adults (even though they may claim otherwise!)
Accessories!
Invest in three hard-wearing accessories: a hat, gloves and a warm scarf. The hat should be one that fully covers the ears and the back of the neck; it will be especially valuable in cold winds. The wool scarf might seem unnecessary, but it can fit into a pocket and yet be a real boon when you realize the wind is much colder than you expected.
image by photoeverywhere.co.uk
Keeping out the wet
For footwear, Gore-Tex boots are designed to stay waterproof in all weathers and are generally considered to be the ultimate in bad weather gear. A good tread will help you avoid slipping on all that pesky ice.
Protect your eyes
In thick snow a pair of polarized sunglasses is also a must. They stop the constant reflection of the sunlight into your eyes, which is not only annoying, but extremely tiring on the eyes.
Always be prepared: take backup outfits
Finally, carry a complete second set of outdoor clothing just in case you get absolutely soaked while you’re out and about. Nothing spoils a holiday more than being unable to go and enjoy yourself simply because you have nothing dry to wear!
To give more space in your checked-in luggage on a flight, wear your bulkiest garments onto the plane ‐ you can stuff them into the overhead racks once on board, but this way, you’ll avoid using half a suitcase for one thick jacket.
Many of the items recommended here can be expensive to buy, but the holiday is a major investment itself and it would be a pity to have it damaged simply through not having the right gear with you to stay warm. As long as you remember to pack smart and prepare for your holiday well in advance, you should enjoy a trip in the winter sun that’s memorable for all the right reasons!
Featured images:
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: Royalty Free or iStock
Laura Madison is Head of Marketing at Avanti Travelcare who specialize in travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions, and are one of very few that have no upper age limit on their policies.
