I don’t like the cold. Maybe it’s because I was born in a tropical country, but I would rather leave a trail of sweat than feel remotely cold. That being said, for the past five years I’ve lived in Canada. Northern Alberta, no less. (In case you’re not familiar with Canadian climate, it’s cold. No, it’s freezing.) How do I manage to survive? I rely on a few trusty winter essentials to help me get through the long, freezing winters.
Winter Essentials
As I sit typing this in the early afternoon, it’s -27 º celsius. That’s at least 5 degrees warmer than when I woke up freezing under a thick fluffy blanket this morning. The day is looking up already.
Now, let’s get this out of the way first: this is not an all encompassing, comprehensive list of everything and anything you need for a winter holiday. It’s just a list of things that can help you get through and have fun despite the biting cold.
Skincare Essentials
Lipbalm
My lips are eternally dry and chapped so a good lip balm is a must. Trust me, dry, cracked lips suck. It makes it difficult to talk or eat; and it’s just generally miserable all around.
I like EOS lip balms. It’s natural, it tastes good and it works. What else can I possibly ask for? Oh and it’s inexpensive too. Pro tip: Keep the cap on tight and keep away from your dog. Kevin, my silly mini schnauzer once ate my entire pod. (Don’t worry guys, he’s fine. I guess that’s a testament to how natural and safe this product is, right?)
Moisturiser
Even if you’re the most low maintenance person in the world, you are gonna want to pack some moisturiser with you. My go-to is Cetaphil. It’s non-greasy and readily gets absorbed by your skin. Just as the cold can make your lips chap, the same thing happens to the rest of your skin. The cold, dry air is bound to do a number on your skin.
If you already have super dry skin to begin with, consider bringing a moisturising cream. The thicker consistency of cream-based moisturisers will help lock the moisture in, keeping your skin nice and soft.
Sunscreen
It seems counterintuitive, but you really shouldn’t ditch the sunscreen just because it’s cold out. UV rays from the sun still reflects off of the white powdery snow.
Winter Accessories
Hat
While it’s NOT true that you lose 70% of your body heat through your head, a hat can still help keep you nice and cosy. I favour synthetic hats for two reasons: it keeps moisture out while keeping warmth in. Choose one that also covers your ears. Did you know you could get frostbite on your ears? Yikes!
Scarf
Just like a hat, a scarf is another layer to help keep you warm. Additionally, a scarf just might be the thing that livens up your winter wardrobe with a pop of colour or an interesting pattern.
I’m partial to circle scarves, mostly because I can never figure out how to fashionably wear a scarf.
Gloves
Cold hands are never fun. I’m not too fussy but I prefer gloves that are lined with fleece. Extra brownie points if it has conductive fingertips, which lets you use your phone or camera without having to take your gloves off.
TIP: I try to always have a pair in my coat pockets at all times. Otherwise, it’s so easy to forget to grab a pair when you’re rushing out the door.
Boots
This is the first thing I invested on after moving to Canada. Insulated, waterproof boots can be expensive and a bit of a commitment especially if you’re only going to be in a cold place for a short holiday. It is a well-worth investment though. I still use the first pair of winter boots I bought 5 years ago.
What About Clothes?
Clothing can vary depending on what activity you plan to do. For example, you will need technical gear especially rated for sub-zero temperatures for snowboarding or skiing and other winter sports. But you’ll probably get away with a light, packable puffer jacket for a walk around town.
Also, I will echo something every winter packing guide has probably told you: dress in layers. The thing is, while it might be -30º, many establishments like malls or coffee shops will probably have their heater cranked all the way up. So it’s always good to have the option to add or remove layers depending on the temperature.
Do you have any winter survival tip and tricks? What are your winter essentials? Let me know in the comments below. And if you’d like a winter packing list specific for winter holidays, also let me know in the comments and I’ll see what I can do.
Disclosure: Some links in this blog post are affiliate links. This means that at NO ADDITIONAL COST to you, I get a commission from sales if you decide to make a purchase after clicking the link. The compensation received from these links in turn helps me pay for the cost of running this site. That being said, please only buy items that you actually want or need.
Northern Identity is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites.
