A day on the slopes can be a pleasure, especially if your kids are ski-capable and equipped with the right apparel. However, finding the perfect kid ski clothing can be puzzling. Keep in mind a few critical lessons to guide your child's ski apparel choices.
Step 1
Buy waterproof clothes. More than anything else, the cold that seeps in from a wet bottom, elbow or hands chills kids to the bone and makes for a tough day. Make sure all items--especially gloves--are waterproof. If necessary, spray a waterproofing chemical on top. Your best bet are tops, bottoms and gloves made from waterproof material. Water-resistant material is different from waterproof--so be sure to ask a professional.
Step 2
Dress in layers. Light, breathable and often high-tech fabrics are good layering materials. Fabrics that rest against the skin should wick sweat away to keep your child comfortable and warm. The next layer should be a thicker, insulated layer. You can add another thick layer on top for very cold weather. The outermost layer is the waterproof layer. While you can buy all-in-one pants or jackets, light layers work best for kids due to their flexibility. They can shed the layers accordingly and add them back if they're cold. Keep in mind that you need your child to easily bend her knees and elbows--so don't layer so heavily that she can't move.
Step 3
Buy appropriate head gear. For most kids this means a helmet and not just a warm fuzzy hat. At most slopes, ski schools require head gear--and with good reason. Kids slam against the mountain unexpectedly. Even if you're not enrolling your child in ski school, follow an expert's lead. Not only does a helmet protect your child's head from injury, it also keeps him warm.
Step 4
Select appropriate eye protection. Eye wear is critical to protect from the glare of the slopes. It keeps your child safe as well--as he can see more easily rather than squinting. Goggles are less likely to fly off in a spill than sunglasses--and goggles connect to the back of the helmet. If your child prefers sunglasses, however, make sure they wrap around the sides well enough to block the glare.
Step 5
Purchase ski socks--the thin socks that help your child's feet stay warm. Most ski socks are engineered to wick away sweat and avoid balling up under your child's foot in her boot. In addition, some children like to have a gator--similar to the top of turtleneck--to help with wind protection out on the slopes. Gators are made of high-tech fabrics that also wick away sweat to keep your child's neck warm and dry when skiing.
Tips and Warnings
- Many brands of kid ski clothing include a hem at the end of each arm and leg that allow the clothing to expand a few inches, so clothing can be worn as your child grows. Buy used clothing to save money. It's relatively abundant at online auctions.
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