Children’s ski wear: 8 tips to buy the right gear - Times Travel

2022-12-23 20:56:55 By : Ms. Ada Huang

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Whether your children are toddlers or teens, if they’re cold and wet they’ll be miserable on the slopes and, let’s face it, so will you. Carrying emergency snacks might help, but for smiles that last, just like the grown-ups, they’re best off with proper quick-drying thermals and weatherproof jackets and trousers. While skis, snowboards and ski boots are rented in resort, essential extras like goggles to protect their eyes and a helmet for when they fall over, not to mention snow boots and hats for après-ski, make your shopping list longer. This means that dressing the whole family can really mount up, especially when youngsters might grow out of ski wear from one holiday to the next. But if you are savvy and think ahead you can both stretch the budget and get long-lasting value. Follow our tips to choose the right kit. Casual Dresses

Children’s ski wear: 8 tips to buy the right gear - Times Travel

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Short sleeves or trousers create gaps for snow to get in, so if in doubt buy a size up. When buying online, check height, arm length and inside leg measurements as well as age range. Check adjustability too, such as trousers with an elasticated back and velcro tabs to extend fit at the waist. Adjustable braces also help, to make trousers longer or shorter. The best trick, though, is jackets and trousers with cuffs that can be extended by a few centimetres, simply by cutting an inner seam or tab.

Best for growing with them Columbia Mighty Mogul II Jacket £115 (sizes for 4-16 years, columbiasportswear.com) Burton Toddlers Maven Bib Pants £95 (sizes for 18 months-4 years, burton.com)

You know they’re going to grow, so play the long game with unisex styling in colours that appeal to both. That way ski wear can be easily handed down, or swapped with friends and family. Clothing that lasts for more than one child is better for the planet too. Opt for something with extendable cuffs and look out for clothes from children’s brand Isbjörn of Sweden — they have sewn-in labels with space for three names.

Best for unisex appeal The North Face Snowquest Plus Insulated Jacket £155 and Snowquest Bib Trousers £115 (sizes for 6 to 20 years, thenorthface.co.uk) Isbjörn Helicopter Jacket £160 (sizes for 1-8 years, isbjornofsweden.com)

There’s good value to be found at outdoor superstores like Decathlon, Mountain Warehouse and Go Outdoors, and from brands like Dare 2b, made from decent technical materials that’ll keep the weather out, and with proper ski features. If you’re buying everything for a first ski holiday, or for more than one child, they often have discounts and multibuy offers, and at Go Outdoors you get hugely reduced prices with a £5 annual membership. Don’t ignore the high street either, especially for fleece or down layers — Uniqlo has a nice line in warm down jackets for après-ski or an extra layer under a jacket, and TK Maxx often has top brands at very reduced prices. Each November, the Lidl and Aldi ski sales are worth checking out for basics like thermals — sign up to the newsletter for an alert on when they’re going to drop. Online, Sports Pursuit is great for flash sales of quality kit. 

Best for offers  Mountain Warehouse Kids Jacket and Pants Set £60 reduced from £100 (2-13 years, mountainwarehouse.com) Dare 2b Humour Jacket £70 reduced from £100 and included in 2 jackets for £100 offer (3-14 years, dare2b.com)  The Edge Flow Form Base Layer Top £28 reduced to £12.50 with a £5 annual membership (3-16 years, gooutdoors.co.uk)  Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Hooded Parka £49.90 (3-13 years, uniqlo.com)

Not only does a helmet protect growing heads, some resorts and many ski schools require children to wear one. Rather than buying a basic one they’ll grow out of, rent in resort — ski hire shops usually offer helmets too. If you do invest, look for extra features like a dial for adjusting fit so it’ll last longer, a magnetic clasp on the chinstrap so it’s easier to use, or even included visor goggles. And to avoid complaints from the kids, wear one too, even though it’s not mandatory. 

Best for head protection  Scott Keeper 2 Plus £75 (small-medium, scott-sports.com) Anon Define £135 (small to XL, burton.com)

There are two good reasons to inject good times into ski wear. First, if they like their outfit you’ll have less of a struggle in the morning, and every minute counts when trying to hit a 9.30am lesson. Second, you’ll be able to pick them out in a crowd if they’re dressed like a bee, or wearing a funky stretch cover over their heads: Helmet Heads (helmetheads.co.uk) has a huge range. 

Best for spotting them in a crowd Dinoski Buzzy The Bee Snowsuit £185 (ages 1-10 years, dinoskiwear.com) Coolcasc Frog Helmet Cover £25 (helmetheads.co.uk) Animal Snuggle Recycled Top £25 (ages 5-13, animal.co.uk)

Mittens are easier to put on than gloves (and warmer). Whichever you choose, make sure they have leashes that attach them to wrists so children are less likely to lose them. Chunky zip pulls on jackets help too, so they can get to that snack you’ve secreted in a pocket for lesson time. And if you’re taking baby on the trip, a one piece with fold-over hands and feet is easier to deal with than gloves and boots, and a speedy diagonal zip down the front makes nappy access easy. 

Best for an easy life Barts 3D Fox Mittens £23 (ages 2-4 years, ellis-brigham.com) Columbia Infant Powder Lite Bunting £65 (ages 3-24 months, columbiasportswear.com)

As long as they’re made from quick-drying material-like fleece, bargain thermals and neck warmers fit the bill for the slopes. But spending more on goggles with good lenses, close-fitting, cushioned ski socks that won’t bunch up or rub, and gloves that are waterproof as well as warm is a sound investment, since sore eyes, blisters or freezing hands can ruin a holiday. For out-in-all weathers older children, gloves with a waterproof membrane as well as a water resistant coating perform best. 

Best for targeted spending Wedze BL500 Kids Baselayer Top £8 (ages 4-14 years, decathlon.co.uk) Dragon DXT OTG Teen Goggles £46 (uk.dragonalliance.com) Falke SK2 Stripes Kids Skiing Socks £16 (sizes children’s 3½ to adult 5, falke.com) Isbjörn Expedition Gloves £50 (ages 9-14 years, isbjornofsweden.com)

Children that are cold and wet thanks to snow up their jackets and down their trousers will be pleading to go home well before the day is up, so it’s worth checking out trousers with a bib that comes up over their waist, jackets and pants that popper together, or a one piece suit that combines the two — but teach them not to let the top half drag on the ground in the loo. 

Best for all in one dressing  Wedze Kids Ski Suit £40 (ages 3-5 years, decathlon.co.uk) Quiksilver Rookie Snowsuit £140 (ages 4-7 years, ellis-brigham.com) Burton 2L One Piece £210 (ages 6-16 years, burton.com)

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Children’s ski wear: 8 tips to buy the right gear - Times Travel

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