Put on your winter woollies and make the most of the winter!

“Avoid sitting inside waiting for summer. It will be a long time coming!” says Gretchen Repasky. Originally from Alabama, USA, Repasky was used to winter temperatures before moving to Finland, but her first winter in Finland in 2010 still proved a memorable experience. It was the coldest winter in ages, with record amounts of snow.

“The most surprising thing to me was the excitement shown by most people to the snowy winter and the numbers of people outside all winter long. The snow provided a great environment for fun outdoor play,” Repasky reminisces.

Employed at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, Repasky lives in Finland with her husband and her two daughters, who will turn five and one this winter. During her time in Finland, Repasky has also learned to equip her children for winter. For example, children in Finnish day care centres play outdoors unless the temperature drops below –10°C. According to a Finnish phrase, there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

“One important thing I’ve learnt is that your winter boots should be a bit roomier than your other footwear so that you can wear them with a pair of thick woolly socks. We try to be careful to dress the kids warmly enough, but not to overheat them, and check in with them on how they are feeling while outside, especially toes and fingers. The clothing needs change based on their activity level outside. A snowsuit is the best choice for small kids,” Repasky says.

The same guidelines also apply to winter clothing for grown-ups. All the requirements mean that winter clothing may cost a small fortune, especially if you have to buy clothes for the whole family. One way to save costs is to visit flea markets for second-hand clothing.

“If you’re buying a second-hand snowsuit for your child, always check that it appears well cared for. Despite being used, the suit should still be waterproof. I also recommend wearing a fleece suit under the snowsuit in colder temperatures,” Repasky notes.

Due to wind chill, the temperature may feel considerably colder along coastal areas than the thermometer would suggest. But if you are wearing a thick winter coat or suit, proper footwear and socks as well as a warm hat and gloves or mittens, you are all set for winter and snow. Helsinki offers a range of opportunities for cross-country skiing, ice skating and sleighing. Or you can simply take wintry walks as dusk falls and admire the snow-covered trees.

For Repasky, one of the highlights of her first winter in Finland was a trip to the Suomenlinna sea fortress.

“Just the ferry ride breaking through the ice to the island was interesting. Then, the stark stillness of the island was beautiful,” Repasky muses.

Orginally posted in FLAMMA (University’s intra and online desktop) NewsFlash  no 1/2013

Text: Tiina Palomäki
Photo: Ari Aalto
Translation: Language Services/Language Centre (University of Helsinki)