Dressing kids for the snow...

[zook]

Hi everyone!

My kid is almost 2 yo and I'm planning to take him with me on some skiing trips - he's a bit young to actually ski, but I was hoping to at least introduce him to the snow, have some fun sliding and hopefully get him interested in skiing for next season

Please share your tips on how to dress little ones for the snowy adventures - if you have specific brands you recommend (i.e. which wool socks?), please share that too.

I'd appreciate any input

 

[severine]

For a two-year-old I wouldn't go crazy. Kids outgrow clothes so quickly that you don't want to spend too much. First, TJ Maxx tends to have good stuff cheap if you're looking for "official" ski clothes. I've gone that route before and was able to get some nice jackets, snow pants, and even decent mittens for the kids. Aside from that, Target has decent enough snow clothes. We go with a jacket and bibs. Target even has base layers! Just look for stuff that is water-resistant to water-proof. Jackets that have zip-in/-out layers are helpful but not necessary if you have a jacket that's big enough to put your own layers underneath.

Wool socks...I've done Smartwool. You can get those discounted through Campmor, IIRC.

Good luck!

 

[ski220]

Go to a tag sale or ski swap and pick up a ONE PIECE snow suit. Going potty is a little harder but the kid won't get cold or wet even when he/she spends time rolling in the snow.

 

[severine]

Actually, come to think of it, freecycle and craigslist are also great sources.

 

[bobbutts]

Hi everyone!

My kid is almost 2 yo and I'm planning to take him with me on some skiing trips - he's a bit young to actually ski, but I was hoping to at least introduce him to the snow, have some fun sliding and hopefully get him interested in skiing for next season

Please share your tips on how to dress little ones for the snowy adventures - if you have specific brands you recommend (i.e. which wool socks?), please share that too.

I'd appreciate any input

My best advice is just avoid the frigid days or nights. Since the kid isn't coming every time anyway, just pick and choose good weather. Strongly agree with the other advice here about not going too crazy with buying new stuff, there's a ton of used winter kids gear for sale second hand around the northeast.

 

[crank]

I remember we had a one-piece snow suit, LL Bean brand for Matt when he was 2. He loved playing in the snow then almost as much as he loves skiing now - a lot. Started him on skis at 3&1/2.

 

[zook]

Thanks everyone!

How about layering under the bib/jacket? Do you use fleece? wool? one piece?

 

[severine]

Thanks everyone!

How about layering under the bib/jacket? Do you use fleece? wool? one piece?

I use polypropylene base layers. You can get them at Campmor, REI, even Target if you can't find any used. I don't take the kids out on days that are so cold they'd need a lot of layers. Usually the insulated jacket/bibs plus the polypropylene layer are enough. If you can find a wool base layer that's cheaper, I would go with that just because I know that personally, I find it to work better and smell less--but again, you don't want to go crazy.

 

[Trekchick]

First of all,(hoping I haven't missed someone else's advice on this part)
you shoulda hit garage sales for kids warm gear. There is always something out there that some other kid has outgrown before wearing it out.

• Next, practice getting your kid dressed to go out. Getting little fingers into mittens and gloves is not always easy and helping them to think its a game is a good thing
• When its time to hit the snow, when the kid gets upset and frustrated, Stop! Kiddo's should think this is fun and if its not fun or you're forcing it, = No fun.
• if you have ski boots, put them on Jr and take him out sledding a couple times so that ski boots=Fun!
• When you get jr on snow have two people so that you have a passer and receiver. If the receiver steps to the side occasionally, eventually jr will make the turn to go to the receiver. Usually this happens around the age of 3 +/-.

See this video (hope the link works) Its my gf's daughter 2 weeks after her 2nd birthday. By the end of the season she was starting to make small turn transitions.
** She loved skiing from day one!**

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=120825110017&saved

 

[wa-loaf]

Just don't do this:

 

[Glenn]

Just don't do this:

The same thing came to mind when I saw the title of this thread.

 

[billski]

Warm toes and fingers. Gloves that fit well on hand and in contact with jacket sleeve. Check the tykes toes and fingers often. Stuff warmers in the gloves. One of my kids is so skinny, she holds no heat, so I check her often. Go in and warm up. Hot cocoa helps. Doesn't matter what clothing you have, if its wet or not handled well, you all lose, so check it often.

 

[SkiDork]

for base layers, we've always used hot chilis because they're "not itchy"

 

[billski]

my wife has always been the bargain hunter extraordinaire and never bought name brand. most of the kids gear came from kohls and tjmax and someplace else similar.

 

[witch hobble]

Always go potty before getting dressed. Or start with a fresh diap at that age.

Bring little candies or whatever treats you use in your pocket.

Always leave with them wanting more!!! Take them out for an hour or two in fair weather.

Community ski swaps for clothing and gear.

Stretch out your back.