Planning for winter trip - non-Disney

[scrapgal123]

So we are trying to plan a Winter vacation to the mountains in Tenessee. Since we are from South Florida, our clothes and accessories for the winter weather is limited. Any suggestions as to when & where to start buying clothes/gear?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Look online; winter stuff is now on sale, but you may find limited selection. I'm not sure how cold the mountains of Tennessee get, but I can't imagine you'll need that many things.

 

[HeatherC]

Check out LLBean and Lands End Clearance sections.

 

[Agent7]

I'm not sure when you're going but it can get below freezing (20's, teens, even negatives a few days this year) with snow in some parts of the Tennessee mountains. I'm not sure what you have but you'll need stuff for layering. Check REI, Dicks, Sierra Trading Post, backcountry.com, etc online. They have sales off and on. If you're rather go into a store Dicks and REI have branches here and there and there are plenty local places. As for sales, winter gear is usually going on sale around now, especially in stores. Online you'll get a better selection of sizes and colors but in store you might get a better deal because they want to clear stock. Local outdoor stores, I find, sometimes have really good sales because they don't have the room to hold stock but the items are usually extremely limited. No matter what the quality stuff is pricy.

 

[tina.tina]

Honestly, it's hard to tell how the weather is going to be. January was the coldest month in Gatlinburg this winter. The historical averages are high of 47 and low of 29 for January, but this year the highs varied from 16 to 60 and the lows varied from -1 to 43.

I would also suggest looking online for winter clothes. On warmer days, the best thing to do is to plan for layers because the mornings and evenings are so much colder. Don't worry about buying expensive stuff if you're looking at just being a tourist in a town like Gatlinburg.

If you're planning to hike in the woods, go for the more specific outdoor stuff. For skiing, that's a whole other level of winter clothes!

 

[swilshire]

I would just plan on layering. As long as you have a decent pair of leather shoes (in case it is rainy), you will be fine. You could pick up a cheap pair of gloves and toboggans at a dollar store when you get here if you need them. January is typically our only yucky weather month. You might be wearing t-shirts in December or February.

Sheila

 

[the5marions]

It can get really cold - or be really nice! Considering where you are from I would suggest over-packing with coats, sweatshirts, definitely snow boots and gloves. I would check places like good-will and salvation army thrift stores and try to get some cheap items to use for your trip, then when you get home you could donate them back. You might not find what you need where you live, but worth taking a look.