How to Dress Your Kids for Skiing and Riding this Winter
Written By Esther Davy
Back in the 80’s my parents often laid us in the car, still asleep, and drove hours to the closest ski resort to make sure we were there for first chair. And this passion for skiing and riding was passed down from generation to generation so that now we are the ones taking our little ones out of bed in the dark morning hours to do the same.
But how do you get a family to Colorado’s Ski Resorts without forgetting anything? And how do you dress your kids to make sure they are warm enough? read on for what to wear and what to get for your next trip to the slopes. Get the free printable checklist here.
head gear
Helmet
Concussions are serious. Thank you, NFL, for increasing awareness around this issue. If you don’t own a helmet you can rent one on the mountain.
Warm Hat
You’ll want a cute one for all of those insta moments.
Goggles or Sunglasses
Depending on the weather, your little ones may want sunglasses instead of goggles. Just make sure to use a leash for those glasses.
Neck Gaitor also called a Buff
These keep your neck, face, and ears warm on snowy days and absorb sweat on warmer ones.
Free Printable: family skiing gear checklist
Warm Layers on Top
Thermal Base Layers
For adults in our family, we’ve invested in moisture wicking base layers. But for kids that grow so fast a great pair of long pajamas works just fine! We love Primary pajamas because they are so comfy and great quality!
Pro Tip: Put your kids to bed in their ski pajamas the night before so you won’t have to dress them in the wee hours of the morning. Just strap them in the car seat and you’re good to go.
Mid Layer Warmth
For kids: We add a footless hooded full body sweatshirt. This item is awesome for lounging around the lodge, which our kids do a lot. You could also add a regular sweatshirt here.
Down Filled Jacket
This is where the warmth comes in. I highly recommend Patagonia’s down puffys for kids. They are higher end, but we use them ALL THE TIME. This is not a sponsored post, we just love their product.
On the more affordable side of the spectrum, Primary has a great quality puffer jacket.
Waterproof Shell Jacket
Check out our post on Go Big or Go to Goodwill: Where to Invest and where to Save in Outdoor Clothing. If you’ve got a great warm mid-layer, you can save on your waterproof jacket. Find something on sale or secondhand, waterproof it with Nikwax, you’ll be happy you did. I recommend a bright color for outerwear, it makes it easy to spot your kid when they zoom past you on the slopes.
Mittens
We really prefer mittens to gloves because they are so much easier to put on. If your kids are always dropping or losing gloves in the winter, check out our post Never Lose a Glove Again.
Pro Tip: Foot warmers are a great option for tiny mittens. They fit inside easily and have a sticky side so they are sure to keep your kids hands warm all day. Get them in advance on Amazon, they are pricey on the mountain.
warm from the waist down
Bibs or Snow Pants
Another great place to save. We find these at our local Goodwill all the time in great condition. Maybe you’ll even find an epic 90’s onesie like I had. As long as you waterproof them with Nikwax, you’ll be warm and dry. Check out our post on How to Wash Outdoor Gear Here.
Pro Tip: For small kids, I recommend snow bibs with velcro straps on the shoulders. This makes bathroom breaks much easier on Mom and Dad. Obermeyer, a Steamboat company, has great pairs like this.
Socks
If you think your child will be breaking a sweat, you’ll probably want thin wool socks. If you’ve got preschoolers like we do, regular socks are fine.
Snow Boots
Bring a good pair of snow boots for your kids. They’ll probably spend more time wearing in those at the lodge than on the slopes at the end of the day. We love Sorels because they are warm, last forever, and have great grip on slick conditions.
equipment
Ski or Snowboarding Boots
Obviously, the key here is fit. So make sure your child’s fit snug, but not uncomfortably so. These are also easy to rent on the mountain or at a local ski shop.
Skis or Board
Visit a local ski shop to checkout your options for buying/renting skis or boards for your kids.
YOU ARE READY FOR POW!!
And now you’re dressed from head to toe! Check out the other essentials to bring and download our Family Skiing Gear List above. If you liked this post, please share on social media, it helps other families find us!
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