Planning Norwegian Ski Trip (with 6 year old)

[Paul_B]

I think we'll bring enough stuff to get by without buying but plan to buy some local stuff. I think the accessories are better in cold countries. I noticed on my Gothenburg trips that everyone wore hats scarves and gloves. I certainly noticed that Swedish people pay attention to the extremities and gaps more than in the UK.

I'm a firm believer that it's not just the head that loses a lot of heat but the gaps. I find it's more important to use a buff to seal the neck of my coats than even wearing a hat. I often wear a hat but find in the UK it's too hot so it comes off a lot. Buffs never come off from autumn to spring when out and active.

So we'll come kitted up but will buy more stuff when over there. I don't like British sold hats for example. They're often acrylic fibre but I prefer wool. Also they don't cover ears completely in most cases I reckon.

I used to walk with a very simple knitted wool hat that was thick and folded over end that doubled it up on the forehead. Itchy at first but that died down. It was the cheapest hat sold in the outdoor shop in Leeds where I bought it as a student. A simple black, ribbed knit hat that could be worn under a waterproof hood in winter or more often with the hood down even in winter blizzard or sleet. A lot warmer than hats from main UK brands costing a good twenty quid.

I think Scandinavian made hats are mostly wool and simple block coloured, rib knit hats are common. I think I'll buy local but take enough too.

 

[Janne]

Scandinavian clothes are designed for Scandinavian winters.
We prefer natural materials.

Per square unit, the head loses just as much heat as the rest of the body, if covered/uncovered the same.
The saying that the head loses most comes from research where they comparison was between a dressed body and a bare head, plus they counted and included the heat loss in the exhaled air.
Still, very important to cover head, specially the ears.
https://goo.gl/images/3ryBLW

 

[Paul_B]

I wish I could remember a similar discussion on heat loss on another forum. Some well read people on the topic referred to army research on heat loss that apparently was the origin of the head heat loss wisdom. Then the truth of what that research said and the results from much more current research.

I can't remember the forum or the details but vaguely got the gist that it all matters in the end and especially sealing the various gaps and openings. Basically I can understand that. I have a good down jacket bought 20 odd years ago but mostly unused. Reason that I chose a larger size because the size below was a little small or more likely short. The result is it bellows all the warm air from inside and draws cold air in to replace it when I move in it. The drawstring waist hem helps but it's not quite as warm as it should theoretically be since it was rated comfort to - 15°C I think. A good ME down smock I expect probably had input from Pete Hutchinson (lately of PH Designs)?

Now I wear neck tubes in various weights. Sometimes two. I am conscious of my wrists because gaps there cool quickly too. Cycling for example in careful about tucking my sleeves into gloves in winter. In cold conditions I've worn inner layers with thumb loops which are great. I've been tempted by those wristies type of thing. They cover your wrists and up your arms a little then around your thumb and covers part of your hand. Worn under gloves. I've only seen rather fashion orientated ones but if I see a more technical version I'll probably try it out.

Basically I believe in close fitting and well fitting garments with the openings sealed. In the UK it needs to be cold by our standards to see me wearing a hat. That cut off is probably +6°C. If it's like that in Norway in geilo end of December I'll be disappointed. I'm hoping for very cold (compared to what my local sees) and snow. Things we're not really used to.

 

[Janne]

I was research done during WW2 done by the Germans.
Basically, a fully clothed person with a bad head cover ( military hat) loses a lot of heat through the head. The German winter uniform before this research was not suitable for the cold as experienced in Norway, Finland and Russia. Lots and lots of casualties due to severe frost damage.
The main ’frost damage’ hospital was in Brno in todays Czech Republic.

Not much heat loss from the hands and feet as the blood supply got quickly re routed away from these areas. Resulting in frost damage and loss.

Sound research, but as in many cases the result was taken out of context,

You are thinking correctly in your clothes choices imo.

 

[Janne]

Remember, your child will want to play in the snow. Preferably without the hindering gloves. Child will be happy until it steps back into the warmth and the blood starts returning to the hands.
Expect a lot of crying, as that is quite painful!

( this is exact the scenarion with our then 7 year old, strong willed son)

 

[oslodunc]

Geilo and the surrounding areas are stunning. I´ve driven through there a few times.
Remember you will sweat buckets learning to ski.You feel a little chilly to start with but you'll soon get warm when skiing. (cross country)
If you like an evening tipple i seriously recommend to take it with you.
Don't worry about language, you're only there a week. Most Norwegians can speak a very decent level of English.
You'll have an amazing time.

 

[Janne]

I hope they aim for cross country and not downhill.
I have always felt cross country is family oriented, and downhill more solitary.

 

[Paul_B]

Just visited our nearest ski kit retailer. Goggles for me and the lad. He was so excited he wore them back to the car despite it getting dark.

Everything is so expensive and that's my helped by being tall. I'll need longer leg length which means the £50 ski pants are out but so far only £140 ones found so far. Expensive if I don't like skiing.

Found a few webcams for where we're going and a good weather site where you can see forecasts of various weather measurements at various heights and even search for locations. It looks good. Looks like there will be plenty of snow and temperatures aren't that cold now (-4/0°C range). A month and half on I'm guessing colder but I'm not sure it's colder than I've experienced on the rare cold UK winter in the Lakeland fells. Looking forward to it. Check out the website below.

https://www.ventusky.com/?p=60.5;8.2;5&l=temperature-5cm

 

[Billy-o]

Scandinavian clothes are designed for Scandinavian winters.
We prefer natural materials.

Well, yes, maybe, but I don;t think Norrona or Helly Hansen or 66 Degrees or Bergans or well, hardly any Scandinavian clothing manufacturers favour natural materials now ... Maybe Dale The thing that was great about scandinavian fashion in the 90s was that it was all made of cool artificial fibres designed for drinking martinis and listening to lounge in, in a reserved and ironic sort of way

 

[Janne]

Not Martinis. Vodka. Freezer cold.

I was thinking of mittens, gloves, head cover, socks, longjohns, jumper, sweater, panties, neck cover, balaclava in natural materials.
Dale of Norway are nice, but you can buy even better and handmade when you arrive in Norway.


You will have fun.
The winter is predicted to be cold. Nice!

 

[Billy-o]

Expensive if I don't like skiing.

Up the ante a bit, Paul_B! Go for 500 dollar Norrona bib pants ... it'll kind of commit you to liking it

 

[Janne]

There is no need to buy dedicated skiing clothing.
You can use any loose clothes.
It is a recent yhing that every sport, even a sub sport, needs specisl clothes.

 

[Billy-o]

Well, I was sort of joking, Janne, and what you say is a true ... but for instance the hills near the water here can have very wet snow. Still, great terrain means that you will probably want to be on the hill from early to late, maybe even ski through a couple of hours of heavy rain. In ordinary clothes you will be a wringing and sorry soul by then. Skiing is a pretty dynamic pastime involving lots of squats and falls (if you don't fall, you aren't giving yourself a chance at fun ) and turns and spray and ploughing into drifts - - also snow gets in everywhere and you wear big boots. Bib pants are cut for this. You are going to ski through, past and sometimes into trees ... you need some abrasion resistance, especially too around your boots. And, I am not describing off-piste or backcountry skiing here either - you want to bundle up for that. I have good bibs for skiing, but I wouldn't take them hiking ... mountaineering possibly - in the same way as I wouldn't wear my ski boots fell running (I feel that could be an Olympic sport though). What I mean is there are advantages in the specialization in your kit All this said, I often see people boarding in t-shirt and jeans sucking on a blunt

 

[Janne]

Yes, we had trousers with a bib made from nylon looking fabric, insulated. Kind of rough surface, so you do not glide so well.
Both as little children all the way to adults. Practical! Those we used for downhill skiing.

For cross country we had ( I still have) a similar outer trouser, but no bib and no insulation.
In deep cold I have seen people using just a waterproof ‘outer sock’

For speed x- country all equipment was different of course, from skis up.
Me and my family were never into the fashinable dressing up when skiing. Each season a new outfit, new styles, colours....
Not us.

I plan to do a bit of cross country skiing in March, if the snow is still on the ground.

Norrøna are cheaper than that, well under 2000NOK / 200 £. We like to wear that brand in Norway. They make very comfy summer and winter trousers.
But I do not ski in them, I prefer loose fitting trousers.

 

[Janne]

Wet snow. Thank you for reminding me that I need to get some Swix waxes!

 

[Janne]

Paul, check out the norwegian weather service
Www.yr.no

That where these other sites get the data from.

 

[Billy-o]

Wet snow. Thank you for reminding me that I need to get some Swix waxes!

Don't wax your skis ... you'll likely be grateful for them being a bit slower at first and less easy to get away from you. If you do feel the need, just get them done at the resort ... doesn't cost much

 

[Janne]

I learned to ski over half a Century ago.
Went from wooden skis, to wooden skis with a glide surface of plastic, to wooden skis with a glide surface of plastic with steel edges to glasfiber. Still use those. 25 years old about.

You would laugh if you saw my bindings. I use the bindings we used in my unit, they are maybe designed in the 40’s. Or earlier. Bomb proof.


I still have my issued Birch wood army skis. Memento.

It is important to wax. Properly waxed achieves a good glide forward, but also a good grip when stepping uphill.

I always carry oldfashioned skins too, I like them on longer uphill slopes.
Easier on my knee.

I hope Paul does a bit of cross country. Relaxing, stress releasing, beautiful views.
Take some sandwiches, a thermos of chocolate. Quality time with family!

 

[Paul_B]

Me and the boy are goggled up. I got a pair of Scott goggles OTG because I wear prescription spectacles. Photochromic lens from s1 to s3. Black and cool.

The son had iirc fury model from a brand I can't remember. Blue and s2. He loves them. Wore them back to the car despite it being dark! He will be well kitted out with didriksons salopettes and ski jacket. He's got it in matching colours throughout. Plus a very warm hat with ear flaps that strap under the chin and fur lined. Well synthetic fibre pile lined.

We're getting there kit wise.

Lidl ski sale is on and Aldi ski sale on next Sunday. I might get at least the merino layers but their sizing isn't good for me. Long legs will probably result in a £140 bill for the proper ski trousers. I'm not risking the holiday for something that doesn't fit or work for me.

As my partner says we'll probably really enjoy it and do it again. Even if not what sense in paying a lot for the holiday then getting a £65 Aldi ski outfit that isn't up to the conditions? The kit isn't much compared to the cost of the holiday.

 

[Janne]

It is wise nit to spend to much the first time, as you ( or family) might not want to do it again.
Get stuff you can use in UK too. Just layer more in Norway.

Planning is half of the fun, is it not?