Planning a trip to the snow? What gear should you pack?

Traveling to a cold climate, especially one with snow, requires meticulous preparation for Thai travelers, as the weather is vastly different from Thailand. Without proper planning, one can easily fall ill due to the body not adapting to the temperature change. If you're a first-timer traveling during the snowy season and are unsure how cold it will be or what to pack, here is our comprehensive packing guide.

Clothing and Winter Gear

• Thermal Underwear (Long Johns): This is highly essential as it helps retain body heat due to its extra thick fabric. Always wear this as the first layer every day when facing the snow.

• Mid-Layer Sweater: You should wear warm items like wool sweaters, turtlenecks, Heattech shirts, or regular sweaters to add warmth and protect against the cold and snow.

• Outerwear/Outer Jacket: We recommend a down jacket, overcoat, fur coat, or Puffer Coat made from goose down or wool. These materials effectively trap heat and provide excellent protection against the cold and snow.

•  Scarf: Choose a knitted wool or full wool scarf, which helps prevent itchiness and provides excellent warmth.

• Gloves: We recommend leather gloves lined with Heattech, cashmere, or extra-thick fabric. Choose gloves that allow you to use your phone's touchscreen for convenience.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Knit Hat/Beanie: Or a specialized winter hat with animal fur or extra-thick insulation to protect against wind and snow. We recommend choosing one that fits snugly—neither too loose nor too tight.

• Socks: Choose Heattech socks, or those made from wool or velvet. This will provide thickness, softness, and excellent heat retention to protect you from the cold and snow.

  
  
  
  

• Footwear: If you anticipate heavy snow, we recommend snow boots lined with fur, which are waterproof and offer good grip against the snow and ice. If you are not expecting much snow, regular sneakers are fine, but ensure the sole is suitable to prevent slipping.

Other Essential Items

• Moisturizer: Cold weather severely dries out the face and body. Don't forget to apply moisturizing cream to hydrate your skin; this is crucial to prevent dry, flaky, and cracked skin.

  
  

• Lip Balm: Besides dry skin, lips can chap severely in very cold weather. Keep a lip balm in your pocket at all times and apply it frequently throughout the day to keep your lips moist.

• Personal Medications: Before packing any medication, always check the import restrictions of each country, as rules for certain drugs vary. Research and check before you travel to avoid being denied entry. Recommended essentials include antihistamines, motion sickness pills, and pain relievers.

• Power Bank/Portable Charger: In cold weather and snow, mobile phone batteries drain quickly. Avoid using your phone in cold conditions for too long, as it can cause the phone to shut down suddenly. If your phone dies, use a hot pack to warm the phone up and wait until its temperature rises before you can use it normally. Only charge the battery after the phone is successfully turned back on.

• Day Bag: For your daily essentials, choose a waterproof canvas or synthetic fabric bag, as you might encounter snow and you want to keep your belongings dry. Choose a bag with multiple compartments, sturdy zippers, and only carry necessary items.

Survival Items to Beat the Cold

• Portable Hand Warmers: We recommend portable hot packs that provide heat for up to 10 hours. Put them in your jacket pockets so you can grab them to warm your hands when facing snow or extreme cold.

• Face Mask: If temperatures are sub-zero, use a cloth mask to cover your nose and protect against the cold. Facing strong wind without a mask can make breathing difficult and extremely cold.

  
  

• Goggles/Windproof Glasses: If you encounter snow and strong winds, snow can irritate your eyes. Wearing wind and snow goggles will make life much easier.

• Earmuffs/Ear Covers: In severe cold, our ears can quickly become cold and potentially suffer injury. If you are sensitive to the cold or cannot tolerate the snow, you should bring earmuffs or warm ear covers.

Before traveling to a cold, snowy destination, remember to check the weather forecast to prepare as thoroughly as possible. Most importantly, ensure your body is ready to face the cold so that everyone can have the happiest and most enjoyable trip possible!