If you're travelling from an Australian summer to a Canadian or European winter you, like me, probably have no idea what sort of clothing you need. Researching for our White Christmas in Canada was overwhelming, it was so hard to work out exactly what we would need for winter in Canada. After extensive research, plus 12 days in temps that got as low as -36 degrees Celsius, I have the definitive list of what you'll need for men, women and children!

What to Wear in Winter in Canada or Europe

Here in Australia we have no concept of just how cold winter can get in places like Canada and Europe. In Canada when we were there for Christmas the temperature dropped as low as -36 degrees Celsius in the day, and below -40 at night. The clothing you need is barely available in Australia, except for a few online stores.

Tips before we start

• The snow clothes sold here, even in places like Anaconda and Kathmandu (and ALDI guys!), just aren't warm enough for a Canadian or European winter. So I'm going to take you through what to wear in winter in Canada or Europe. I just want to reiterate that you can get similar items here as I've listed but they aren't designed for temps under about -20 degrees Celcius. And you're definitely going to get lower than that if you are heading to places like Canada, Lapland or other European countries for Winter.
• Jeans are not an option for the snow under any circumstances. They will get wet and cold immediately.
• Same goes for regular shoes. They will get soaked and you'll slip in the snow. Snow boots are a must!
• Mountain Warehouse can only be ordered online but they have a fantastic returns system. just make sure you measure first. I had to return some things to swap but not loads.
• Give yourself plenty of time when ordering online. It can take time for stuff to come from overseas and you don't want to be in a panic. I started the ordering process about 6 months out so I could order some at a time and not break the bank.
• Don't bank on being able to buy what you need there. If you arrive during winter they are all sold out and prepping in store for Spring.
• You can sell your snow items on Facebook Marketplace when you return. It will help you recoup some of your costs.

What you Need:

You need to wear three layers of clothing when you are in these extreme temperatures. You will need: a base layer, a fleece layer and a snow layer. It took me so much research just to get that clear so I'm being super clear here for you. So lets talk about each layer and why you need them.

Base Layers

Designed to keep you warm and cozy, base layers are like a second skin that locks in body heat. Not only do they provide insulation, but they also wick away any sweat, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable.

With their lightweight and flexible design, base layers give you the freedom to move. Base layers are a necessity in snowy conditions as they provide insulation, moisture management, and flexibility. They form the foundation of an effective layering system, keeping the body warm, dry, and comfortable

Base layer recommendations

The best base layers I found, after hours of research, were the The Uniqlo Heattech range. They are thick but stretchy, and so warm.

Base Layers For Men

The best thermals I found were the Heattech range at Uniqlo. We went for the Ultra Warm Pants and the Very Warm Tops and I couldn't fault them. We bought these pants and these tops for my husband and adult son. I'd recommend a minimum of two pairs. But even three if you are going to be there for a while.

Thermals For women

I love my Heattech thermals so much I've even been wearing them on very cold days here in Sydney. My daughter introduced them to me, she used them while travelling around Europe for six months. We got these pants and these tops. We went for Ultra Warm in both but you can also get Very Warm.

Thermals For The Kids

There is a smaller range for the kids but these were still super effective. For Tully I ordered these ones. She also had some extra thermal pants and tops I think my husband picked up in Scotland when they were there. But I thought these were the warmest. I got her these pants and these tops. They are unisex as well.

Fleece Layer

When it comes to braving the snow, one essential piece of clothing that should never be left behind is a cozy fleece layer. Trust me, it's a game-changer!

What makes a fleece layer so crucial? First and foremost, fleece is like a warm hug. It's super soft and fluffy, wrapping you in a cocoon of pure comfort. When you're out and about in the snow, the fleece traps your body heat and creates a toasty microclimate.

So, what to choose? You need a really warm fleece jumper, and for pants you can use tracksuit pants, or even fleece pajama pants. You don't see them, as they are between the base layer and the snow layer.

Fleece Layer Recommendations

Fleece layer for men

My husband actually skipped the fleece layer for pants. He's from Scotland and used to being cold, plus he was doing a lot of physical activity. If you think you don't need a fleece layer for your pants, feel free to give it a shot outside, but take some just in case. We just got Kmart tracksuit pants.

For the top we got a fleece jumper from Mountain Warehouse. I got it for my husband and my son and they were both really happy with it. They come in a range of colours too.

Fleece layer for women

I cheated a bit with the fleece pants. I didn't want to feel too bulky so I wore merino tights from Snag Tights, under my thermals. They worked really well in keeping me warm, plus it meant I only needed one sock layer. But my sister wore track pants from Kmart.

For my fleece jumper my oldest daughter and I got this one from Mountain Warehouse, I loved it, it definitely did the job. They have a whole range of colours.

Kid's Fleece Layer

For Tully we used Kmart tracksuit pants and a fleece jumper from Mountain Warehouse as well. This is the one I got her. The have a range of colours as well.

Water Proof Snow Layer

A waterproof outer layer is an absolute necessity. Picture yourself surrounded by a pristine winter wonderland, with snowflakes gently falling from the sky. In such breathtaking surroundings, the last thing you want is to end up wet and uncomfortable. That's where a reliable waterproof outer layer comes to the rescue! Designed to repel moisture and keep you dry, this essential garment acts as a shield against the elements. Whether it's snow, sleet, or even a sudden downpour, your waterproof outer layer keeps you protected, ensuring that you can fully enjoy your snowy escapades without worrying about getting soaked. From skiing and snowboarding to building snowmen or walking through the snow, this outer layer is your secret weapon for staying warm, comfortable and dry.

The waterproof layer is your most important, and the gear that is designed for specific temperatures. You need outer layers that are made temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius. I know I've said it here several times, but this is not what you can buy at Anaconda or Kathmandu. and guys, definitely NOT AT ALDI!!!! So scrap the idea of buying what you want at the Aldi snow sale.

Waterproof snow layers - Recommendations

Waterproof Snow Layer for Men

I bought all our waterproof gear from Mountain Warehouse. My husband and son got these pants, and this jacket. They were both warm enough, even for the days it was -35 degrees Celsius! The pants also come in a short length if needed.

Waterproof Snow Layer for Women

We got two different styles of jacket. I got this one, while my daughter got this one. For the pants we both got these ones because they come in a short length. But you can get them in a long length too.

Waterproof snow layer for kids

For Tully I chose a snow suit set that came with pants that had braces holding them up, and then a matching jacket. The braces just meant that her pants didn't slide down at all while playing in the snow. If you are wondering about sizing, Tully was 10.5 when we went and about 147cm and she wore the size 13. Her normal clothing size was 14. There are a whole range of different colours and they are unisex.

What we wore on our hands, feet and head

It's so unbelievably cold when the temp gets so low, and you need to have every part of your exposed skin covered, or it burns!

Feet

For our feet, we all wore two pairs of warm socks. You can just get the thick winter socks from any sporting store for these. We also dropped by Walmart in Calgary on our way to Lake Louise and grabbed some extra ones as well.

Then the boots we purchased from Mountain Warehouse. All the girls got the Ohio women's snow boot, while the boys got the Ploughman's snow boot. We all thought they were really comfy, I've kept mine just for winter here if we go somewhere cold. The women's ones were really sturdy. With the men's ones, two of the hooks for the laces did pop off for my brother in law, but he's not gentle with anything he owns and he was yanking the laces quite aggressively to tighten them. So just tighten them gently.

Hands

For your hands you need under gloves and then waterproof gloves over the top. I ordered these snow gloves for Tully and the women and these ones for the men. they have kids ones too. They come in a variety of colours. My recommendation is to get everyone a different colour so that you know whose are whose.

For the under gloves I got these touch screen liner gloves because they have patches on the thumb and forefinger so that you can use your phone without taking your glove off. Bit you can also just use a pair of basic knitted gloves as well.

While we are talking hands, get many packets of the Hot Hand Hand Warmers. They are way cheaper just getting them in Woolworths before you leave, rather than at your hotel. They are a lifesaver, especially for little kids. Little ones have a much harder time regulating their body temp so they get colder way faster, and take longer to warm up. On those super cold, -35 degree days my 5 year old niece could only be outside for 10-15 minutes at a time. The hand warmers really helped. But make sure you don't put them directly on the skin. Put them between the two layers of gloves. You can also get toe warmers that go in your boots as well.

Head/face

So on your head you need a beanie. If you have a nice warm one at home then use that, but otherwise I recommend the polar fleece ones because they are really warm.

You also need a face wrap. These polar fleece head tubes are exactly what you want. I had a different one as well, a knitted one, but these were the best. You wrap your whole head and face in them but they are still breathable. Here's Tully and Neil wearing theirs. If the weather warms up then you just wear them as a scarf. But with these there is no scarf necessary.

Below is a video showing you how to use your head tube. I found it really helpful.

I haven't included all the prices for everything as Mountain Warehouse is always having some sort of sale, or there's a discount code available. But I just kept an eye on the sales and got things as I went.

Hopefully these gives you a really good understanding of what to wear in winter in Canada or Europe, so that you can have an amazing holiday and stay toasty warm! If I've missed anything or you have any other questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them!