To take my kids skiing in these clothes?

[OhShutUpThomas]

I’m taking my kids skiing in Scotland on Wednesday. They’ve never been before but I’ve booked lessons and all excited.

They have no ski gear. We live on a farm though and they have lots of warm gear.

Can they ski in the regular warm winter jackets that they work in? They are waterproof! Or do I need to spend ££££ on ski suits for 3 kids?

YABU - buy them the ski suits you miser
YANBU - they can ski in warm non-ski clothes

Thank you!

They’ll probably be fine in Scotland. I’d be worrying more about the snow cover and the opportunities for any actual skiing

Dumb question but why dont you just hire any gear you need?

If its Nevis you are headed to, they have full hire facilities.

There's plenty of snow at Glenshee at present? I don't really understand the comment about clothes being fine for Scotland. I've had glorious days skiing in Scotland and absolutely bloody freezing ones, very much the same as I've had in the Alps (far fewer glorious days, granted!).

I grew up not far from glenshee. Spent my teen years there every weekend carrying my snowboard over grass and rocks to the next bit of snow. Snow cover there changes dramatically week to week, it’s very unreliable compared to anywhere in the alps. Also regularly snowboarded in thick joggers and a normal jacket and was fine!

Fair enough, I was just under the impression conditions were pretty good. I know it's far more changeable than the Alps. I have almost never skied in just a hoodie, though my husband has - I'm definitely someone who feels the cold!

Woollen gloves, and water proof mittens or for over the top.

Pull on water proof pants to wear over .. tights, then socks, then leggings or track pants.
Any warm waterproof jacket wear .. singlet, skivy or long sleeved t-shirt and a woollen jumper.
Head - wear a knitted beanie or balaclava, a pair of snow goggles.
You can hire everything - as well as boots, skis and poles.

Pack thermos (or three) of hot water in which to make noodles, soup, cocktail frankfurts etc to suppliment bought cafe food.

When I was a young skint student I used to wear a thin waterproof shell on my leggings/joggers and an ordinary warm (waterproof) jacket. Gloves/mittens must be waterproof though, but don't have to be expensive. Undergloves help.

The leggings/joggers are just pushed above the boot, then the waterproofs over them.

There’s a difference between experienced skiers who rarely fall over and beginners. I’d make sure you have decent salopettes and gloves. Borrow hire or buy at decathlon. And have fun! I’ve had good skiing in Scotland, but not at Glenshee. It was snowy and windy that day…. Got to the car park (just) to find the lifts were shut. Good luck!

The coats sound great. I’ve taken my kids in similar when we were starting out.

For bottoms, I layered leggings under track pants, and I sprayed the track pants with scotchguard (do this outdoors or somewhere vented, days before you go). The scotchguard eventually washes out, but it worked well for my 3 for the first few times we went.

Definitely don’t buy new clothing. Skiing is something you love or you hate.

Thanks so much!

Mountain Warehouse currently has jacket and trousers sets for £42 so I might just buy those.

I really hope the weather is ok as it’s now looking windy and it’s all cost a lot!

it was all secondhand and pass me downs when my DC were small - they grow out so quickly

I have spent so many days skiing in Scotland where the weather has been utterly miserable and even in decent ski gear we have been cold and wet.

yiu need to prepare for all weather conditions in Scotland much more so than in the Alps etc. Decent gloves are an absolute must. I would also hire some salopettes for them as they will get wet if they are falling a lot.

their jackets will probably be fine.

There’s plenty of snow at Glenshee at the moment. Drifts of up to 30ft!!!!!

Enjoy!

Have a great time op. Glenshee is where all my kids learned to ski

Yes, ski trousers are specialised, while it’s kind of possible to ski in hiking waterproofs (the type with the bottom zip or full length zip to fit over boots) over thermal leggings they’ll be more comfortable in ski trousers. Cheap / second hand is fine. Tops they’ll be fine in a normal coat as beginners. Lots of layers, if it’s not raining/snowing they’ll get warmer than you’d think so wool jumpers / fleeces and wool/man made base layer, not cotton. Good waterproof gloves, they’ll spend a lot of time with those in the snow!

Hope you have a great time!

@AirborneElephant

i actually prefer hiking trousers myself as you can layer them, it’s not always that cold and I get too hot in salopettes. My trousers are fully waterproof and windproof unlike my ski clothes which are at best water resistant, in a British climate snow is often very wet and last time I was up there it rained rather than snowed

You can hire ski gear when you go for your lesson- theres a wee shop on the way up or you can hire at glenshee itself :)