What to pack for week before Christmas - GC & Vegas

Hi,

This has probably been done to death but I%26#39;m hoping to get some advise on what to pack for our upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon and Vegas the week before Christmas. We%26#39;ll be going straight to the GC for 3 days when we arrive, plan on doing some hiking etc so need to pack for that but not sure how cold it will be, the websites give a huge range in temp, hoping someone who%26#39;s actually been there at that time can help. And secondly what do we then pack for Las Vegas (4 nights), I%26#39;m ok with the casual/dressy side but how heavy do the clothes need to be - do we need winter jackets etc? Or is the temp more like Fall in Europe as opposed to what we%26#39;d deem as winter here in cold northern Europe! - hope that makes sense!

All feedback much appreciated!!

What to pack for week before Christmas - GC %26amp; Vegas

We go for the rodeo in Vegas in December, will be going again this year. Last year it was pretty cool the week we were there, we had friends there the week before us (they were there the first week of December) and they said it was very cold and it was quite a bit colder than the week following, which was when we were there. Being there for the rodeo, we of course just wore jeans, long sleeve shirts (sweaters) and jackets. I just wore a regular leather jacket, yes it was pretty chilly but I didn%26#39;t freeze to death either. I would say the temp. was about the same as in Texas in the winter - just a dryer cold. If you wear pants, jeans, long sleeves and a regular jacket, I wouldn%26#39;t say a ';huge'; jacket, I would think you would be fine, but as you stated I think the weather can be ';all over the place,'; example the week before we went being cold compared to the week following it was pretty ';chilly';.... Not sure I helped you any.

What to pack for week before Christmas - GC %26amp; Vegas

Be aware that the South Rim of GC is at a much higher altitude to Vegas and it can get very cold in December. Expect daytime temps there of not much above freezing and extremely chilly nights.

You may get lucky and see GC covered in a dusting of snow.

Thank you both! This is where I%26#39;m torn, I don%26#39;t want to pack too much but from what I%26#39;ve read/heard it can be freezing in GC South Rim like you said but then can I use relatively the same clothes in Vegas or do I have to pack two separate sets ie summer/winter. My instinct so far is long sleeved tops/jeans/pants/lightish jacket for Vegas but then heavier jacket maybe for GC and would get away with other stuff as long as it%26#39;s layered?... Maybe I%26#39;m answering my own question here ;))

BTW Rodeo trip sounds great when is that on???

I have lived in Northern Arizona for about 20 years and have seen everything from blue skies and sunshine to blizzards at the time of year you%26#39;re travelling. Normally, it is cold, and even more so at the Grand Canyon due to the higher altitude. So far, this autumn has been rather mild; it hasn%26#39;t really gotten that cold and we%26#39;ve yet to have a huge snowstorm, but that could change by the time you set out. Best plan IMO is to start monitoring the weather a couple of weeks before your trip. Using your favorite weather website, use the code ';LAS'; for Las Vegas and ';GCN'; for the Grand Canyon.

Oh, and you know how they say ';it%26#39;s a dry heat?'; Well, it%26#39;s also a ';dry cold.'; :)

The websites give a huge range of temperatures because there can be a huge range of temperatures-at least in Vegas. Your best bet is to wait until you are ready to leave before deciding what to bring.

I always packed clothes that could be layered when I went to Vegas in December- tops with long sleeves, medium/heavyweight sweater and a lined jacket. This way I was prepared for any kind of weather. The average high at that time- mid 50s but the highs can range from the 30s to the 70s! The low-mid 30s but the lows can go down to the 20s or even the teens.

It is the National Finals Rodeo held every year in Vegas. YOu didn%26#39;t state your exact dates but I am not sure if the rodeo will still be going on while you are there. The dates are December 4th - December 13th.

Expect cold weather at the GCNP and be prepared for it. Hat, gloves, and layers including a warm coat or jacket. It will be well below freezing at night and whenever the sun is not shining. Days will be pleasant so you can dress in layers. If you plan to hike into the canyon, be aware of ice on the trail in morning or evenings near the rim. Crampons might be needed. You can rent them at the park. Hiking poles are a good idea too.

When you get to LV the weather should be milder, but it will still get cold at night. We were there a few years ago, and after being advised to pack for moderate temperatures, we had to buy coats when we were there, as the temps at night were in the 20s. Leave your summer wardrobe at home.

We%26#39;ve been going to LV the first week in December for the past 9 years, and it%26#39;s been anything from shirtsleeves weather to freezing cold, so you%26#39;ll definitely want to bring some woolies along. You%26#39;ll want a jacket for evenings for sure, even if it does warm up during the day.

Last year we went to the Grand Canyon during our stay, South Rim, and it was FREEZING - we dashed out of the car - snapped pictures - and jumped back in! But, there was about a foot of snow and it was beautiful. Just be prepared to bundle up for that portion of your trip.

Have fun!!