Kitting Out Children for the Snow

SPORT · GLOBAL

Kitting Out Children for the Snow

Layers that work, helmets and goggles, sizing and hiring

Children get cold faster than adults and complain about the wrong things, so the kit that keeps a family skiing is mostly about warmth and dryness.

Layers

A base layer that moves moisture — merino or synthetic, never cotton, which holds sweat and chills. A fleece or insulated mid layer. A waterproof and breathable outer with taped seams.

Check the waterproof rating and the seams rather than the look. A child sitting in snow all day needs genuine waterproofing rather than a showerproof coat.

Extremities

Mittens are warmer than gloves for young children and easier to get on. Two pairs so one can dry. Proper ski socks, one pair only, long enough to come above the boot — bunched socks and double layers cause cold feet, not fewer.

A neck tube rather than a scarf, which can catch on a lift.

Helmets

Compulsory for children in many resorts and sensible everywhere. Fit it to the head now rather than to grow into, with no more than an inch of movement and the strap firm.

Replace after any meaningful impact, since the liner crushes once and does not recover. Never buy a used helmet.

Goggles

Essential rather than optional, since snow glare damages eyes and wind hurts. They must fit with the helmet without a gap at the forehead.

Boots and hire

Boots are the one thing to have fitted properly, and hiring skis, boots and helmet is usually cheaper and better than buying for growing children.

On the mountain

Lessons rather than parents teaching, since instructors teach in groups and children listen to them. Book in advance, and start with shorter days than you expect.

Agree a meeting point, put a card with your phone number in the child's pocket, and teach them to go to a lift operator or a ski school if lost.

Buying against hiring

Hire skis, boots and helmets for growing children, and buy clothing a size up to get two seasons from it. Second-hand ski clothing is excellent value.

Staying warm on a cold day

Eat and drink regularly, since children get cold when their energy runs low, and take proper indoor breaks. Hand warmers and a spare pair of mittens in a pocket change a difficult afternoon.

Check ears, cheeks and fingers for white patches, which is early frostbite, and warm them gradually indoors.

Sledging and off the slopes

Helmets matter for sledging too, which causes a surprising number of injuries. Choose a slope away from roads, trees and lift lines, and never sledge head first.

Snow boots with grip are worth having for walking around a resort, where ice is the real hazard.

Sun

High-factor sunscreen and lip balm, reapplied, since altitude and snow reflection burn quickly even in cloud.

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