Must Haves for Skiing With Children
Top 10 Picks of what to take on a skiing holiday:
- 1. A good thermal base layer…
..will keep out the cold and wick any moisture away to prevent chills. Soft and snug fitting thermals can be worn every day, just thermals when it is warmer and layer up with micro fleeces on colder days. Our best sellers year on year are the KoziKidz and Trespass thermals.
- 2. A micro fleece layer or 2…
..will adapt to all kinds of weather conditions. In a week's holiday you can one minute be baking on the slopes and the next day freezing in temperatures well below zero. A micro fleece layer (either top alone or with bottoms) will provide the warmth as the mid layer. A soft thin micro-fleece should be enough for most European resorts but you can add a thicker fleece or double up for colder resorts. Micro fleece is better than cotton as it will wick the moisture away yet still be small enough to scrunch up and put in your pocket if the sun shines! From only £9.95 Trespass micro fleeces are great for all year round.
- 3. A good quality mitten…
..with a long cuff will be warmer than gloves and keep out the snow during falls and snow angel making. Consider thermal glove liners if you are going to a very cold resort such as Canada or Finland. Our best sellers are the Barts range of mittens and gloves.
- 4. Ski training Aids…
..are great when taking young children. Reins can control young children and the front and rear handles help with the inevitable falls and getting little ones on chair lifts. As ski instructor and blog writer Robert Stewart says “For very young children, you could consider using ski reins for a short period of time to give your child some confidence. Be sure not to use these as a support but just as a safety feature”. They are great as your child progresses each season and ski on steeper slopes and you need to be sure they can control their speed on harder pistes. Ski Tip connectors help with the first proper skis by maintaining a snow plough and our ever popular plastic skis are fantastic for little ones to start getting a balance on skis and join in with the whole family. A selection of ski training aids can be found at LittleSkiers.co.uk
- 5. Buy good quality ski socks…
..don’t waste money on cheap ski socks like “tube socks”, you need a proper heel and to be fitted so they don’t ruck up and cause bumps which lead to bruised shins and uncomfortable feet. Our 5 star (as rated by customers) range of X-socks and Barts Twin Ski Sock packs are all fitted and sit high up the shin for maximum protection.
- 6. Consider buying a helmet for you and your child…
..Helmets are essential; they are never too young to protect their heads and most European resorts will not allow children onto the slopes without a helmet. Adjustable helmets are available for children meaning they can last quite a few years. As Robert Stewart, ski instructor points out “Helmets can also be rented although the consideration here is the history of the helmet which you will never know if it's been rented out before. If the helmet has had a heavy blow to it, and that can mean being dropped of a chairlift onto rocks, then it might be unsafe for use. Sometimes you can't see the possible damage that has been done.” Set an example and wear a helmet too! Little Skiers recommends Bollé and so do our customers, rating them 5 star and with very funky designs!
- 7. Take a pocket full of snacks…
Cereal bars, mini chocolate bars or raisins are excellent snacks to give them instant energy. Ski school is hard & thirsty work so also consider small drinks that fit into pockets, as many European resorts don’t allow rucksacks to be taken to ski school or on chair lifts
- 8. Don’t forget to take sunscreen…
Sun protection and lip salves are essential to prevent chapping from the wind as well as the sun. Manbi’s popular combination sun tan lotion with lip salves are on a cord are easy to keep close.
- 9. Buy a quality ski goggle…
..that will last a few years. For the best goggle against fogging up look for a double lens and venting to provide a thermal barrier but still allow air to flow. Our range of Bollé goggles start from 1 year up to adult sizing.
- 10. Take a trip to your local snowdome…
… and get the whole family ready for your holiday. An hour’s practise will build confidence and get the ski legs back in no time!
