How to dress for outdoor winter activities in Senja and Dyrøy

The long arctic winter

A travel to the Senja region between September and May should be considered a "winter holiday". This far north, be prepared for many months with autumn and winter weather - and one can never know how how early snow will come. The classical winter months are January, February and March, but March and April are the months of the year when we get most snow. By the coastline, April can also mean bare grounds and spring feelings. This is a month were you can go skiing, kayaking and cycling!

The official snow record was set April 29th in 1997, with 240 cm depth of snow in Tromsø. The high season for skitouring is February to May. 

Rain and milder weather can occure any month of the year and autumn and winter means polare low pressure sweepin rapidly in from the Atlantic ocean. 

This means you would need to pack for a winterly autumn already in October and for a springwinter in April and May. Check the weather reports and local conditions. 

Stayng active or not? 

When staying outdoors in the north, you will not always keep warm, but if you do things right at least you can feel comfortable. The most important thing is to stay dry. To get wet, means to freeze. Norwegians dress in layers and it is of importance what materials your clothes are made of. 

1. The inner layer/ closest to your skin: Wear thin underwear (sweather and longjohns) made of wool or a wool mix. Woollen socks. Wool is a material that even if it gets wet, will keep you warm. If you wear a synthetic fabric, it can transport your sweat well as long as you are physically active, but the minute you stop it can not keep you warm. 

2. The mid layer: Warm knitted sweather of wool or thick fleece, soft pants and knitted woolen socks. This layer is meant to insulate you by keeping your body warmth near your body. Wear something near your troat, like a buff or scarf. Knitted one is the best. 

3. The cover should protect you from wind and water. Real wind- and waterproof clothes with a quality that stands the rough Northern Norwegian weather. If it is mid winter and minus degrees, a proper duvet jacket is the best. You might need the wind/waterproof jacket to go on top of that one. On your head, a warm headwear, also wind/waterproof. Woolen mittens are warm, put wind mittens on top. If you prefere gloves, bring a pair of warm mittens for your break/ in case of emergency. Footwear according to season, but it should be warm, and water resistant. Choose a size large enough to wear thicker socks in one or two layers. 

Other things to bring: 

A dry woolen shirt (underwear shirt), woolen socks, a warm sweather, a buff/ scarf, mittens. When you take break, you can put on the dry clothes. They are also handy in case something happens. 

Bring a sitting pad or two. An insulated pad and a knitted woolen pad or reindeer skin on top, is warm and nice. 

To use knitted wool is sustainable and a smart choice!

No such thing as bad weather....

... only bad clothing, is a Northern Norwegain saying.

However, the bad weather in Senja often comes sudden....

When you plan your travel to Senja and Northern Norway in general, be smart and bring extra shifts and footwear, to make sure you always have a dry set to change into. There are almost nothing so devostating for the outdoors experience as starting to freeze due to wearing clothes not proper for the conditions. So stay warm and dry!

Depending on type of activity and your whereabouts, not having proper clothes can also be a hazard. When packing your excursion backpack, think health and safety and pack for the unexpected. The weather changes quickly and a nice day can turn into a blizard in short time. Even an easy injury, where you would need to wait for rescue, can take time and require a few extra items. Bring a thick, warm sweather, dry mittens and woollen socks, a windproof jacket and pants. Some sort of energy and something to drink. A reflective vest and a flashlight on battery is good, in case of darkness. 

Days are short in winter time, there is not cellphone coverage everywhere and your cellphone batteries run out real quick. Rescue services are not "around the corner", so prepare to be able to manage on your own for some time. 

Summertip! 

The Arctic summer is very different from the typical european summer, so prepare for temperatures between eight and twenty degrees. Some of the clothes you can use in winter, also will cover your needs in summertime. In addition you would need everything down to swimwear.