There are few things more miserable than a cold, wet and uncomfortable child in a snowstorm. You cannot plan the weather, but you can prepare your children for it. Here are our ski gear tips keeping your kids warm and dry on the pistes, so that they have every chance of falling in love with skiing too.
For little hands, mitts are better than gloves
If you’ve spent any time skiing, or particularly snowboarding, you’ll know that cold wet hands are the worst. We recommend trading a little dexterity for the warmth of a mitt. Mitts are toastier and have fewer seams which might allow winter ingress. Look for mitts with a durable leather or plastic palms and with a waterproof membrane/liner. Most mitts will have a leash/toggle which attaches to your child’s jacket’s cuffs for peace of mind.
Shop all Kids’ Ski Clothing from The Edge, including mitts here:
The Edge | Kids’ | Skiing | Clothing (gooutdoors.co.uk)
Kids can overheat too
While there’s nothing more snuggly than a lofty down jacket during the coldest months, from December to February, by March it’s getting warmer. If you’re planning a trip during the Easter holidays, then a puffy, heavily insulated jacket is likely to cause overheating. Instead, pack a lightly insulated jacket and warm base and mid layers which can be worn when needed, like a cosy fleece or an insulator jacket. A high collar and adjustable hood are important features that will keep your child protected in bad weather.
Nobody likes snow down their back
Although the classic one-piece is having a retro resurgence, a ski jacket and pants still provides the best versatility. Start with a good pair of salopettes or bib pants which add a little extra protection from the elements above the waist. Combine them with a lightly insulated ski/snowboard jacket which can be worn around town and on the flight out too. Here’s the important part: The jacket should have a “snow-skirt” (also known as a powder skirt). This ingenious devise stops snow from getting into places you don’t want it.
Dare2b’s range of kid’s ski jackets is packed full of great value pieces with thought-through ski-focused features. Our favourites include the new Gliss II and Impose II jackets. The Cheerful Jacket is a good choice for colder weather skiing.
Shop all Kids’ Ski Clothing from Dare 2B, including ski jackets here:
Dare 2B | Kids’ | Skiing | Clothing (gooutdoors.co.uk)
Cotton is not a skier’s friend
When cotton absorbs water and perspiration it loses its ability to insulate making it a useless fabric to ski in. Synthetic materials and wool wick moisture away from the body and are credible insulators, even when wet. Synthetic fleeces and base layers from GO Outdoors are affordable and will provide great value for money long after you’ve returned home.
Children’s ski base layers from Peter Storm and The Edge offer great performance on a budget – Kids Thermals & Baselayers | GO Outdoors
Add a fleece and an insulator jacket or gilet like the Peter Storm Blisco for an affordable boost of heat that will pack easily into a backpack.
Kids’ Fleece Jackets for Boys & Girls | GO Outdoors
Helmet and goggle fit are key!
The goofy kid with the poorly fitting helmet and oversize ski goggles might look cute, but a helmet that doesn’t fit correctly is uncomfortable and unsafe. Buying a helmet that fits is hugely important. Ski helmets are NOT designed to have beanies underneath and should be fitted to a bare head. Most helmets are adjustable, but it is important to buy the right size. If, in the past, you have had trouble finding a bicycle helmet that fits your child’s head shape, you might have the same issue with ski helmets. Different brands have different dimensions so try different options.
Good goggle-helmet compatibility is often overlooked, but also important: A google should fit snuggly to the helmet without a significant gap on the forehead. If the helmet is rubbing the goggles or pushing them down on the child’s face, they’re a bad match. Look out for a non-slip silicone goggle band as it will prevent the goggles slipping out of place during skiing. Usually, goggles and helmets from the same brand are most compatible.
Make sure the goggles have a double-layer lens with a moderate “all-conditions” tint, this should prevent fogging and allow your child to see in most snow conditions. A heavily tinted or lightly tinted lens will often let too little or too much light in and are best avoided.
Kids’ | Skiing | Accessories (gooutdoors.co.uk)
Wear suncream!
Pack plenty of sun lotion. Sunlight in the mountains is reflected off the snow, significantly increasing its intensity. Apply it to any areas of skin which aren’t covered by clothing. Like most things, sun cream in ski resorts isn’t cheap!
Invest in a good pair of boots
While it’s just plain good sense to hire ski boots, travelling to the mountains with a dependable pair of winterised walking boots is essential. Whether it’s nipping out after skiing for fondu or exploring the resort on a bad weather day, you will not regret investing in a pair of quality walking or winter boots for your child. Make sure that the boots have a mid to high collar, thick-lugged soles, and a waterproof liner.
Kids’ Ski Footwear | GO Outdoors
Kids Walking Boots | GO Outdoors
Thinking of going skiing but not sure which resort to go to? Check out our Top 5 Family Ski Resorts in Europe blog for some top tips and advice!
