Christmas in the snow, how do I kit out little ones?

[Atousa]

We’re off to Salzburg and then an Alpine village for Christmas, and I want to make sure my DS (2y9m) is properly sorted for the snowy weather. What does he actually need in terms of base layers, under/mid/top layers and proper snow gear — and which brands do you all rate for little ones? I’m torn between a snowsuit or a jacket + salopettes for him, and I’d love recommendations for snow boots that actually stay warm and dry on small feet. Also, how many layers do they realistically need when it’s properly cold, and is it worth having backups of things?
Thanks

Polarn y pyret.

At least two pairs of gloves so you can change them when they get wet.

Snow suit can be slow to get off to go to the loo, if that is a concern

Snowsuit better for keeping snow out. Jacket and salopettes better for getting in and out of for the toilet etc. I would do thermal base layer, mid layer of joggers and a fleece then whichever you decide between snowsuit and jacket and salopettes. Most importantly waterproof gloves and boots and a hat.

@Solasum@Littletreefrog thanks both, do you have any brand/s that you can recommend please?

Salopettes and jacket for us - similar age kids. Ours had polarn o pyret and sorel snow-boots and stayed cosy.

And a bright hat so you can spot them easily!

One-piece snowsuits are better because there's no risk of the snow working its way between the layers. I always had mitts on a string that went through the sleeves and across the back, so you could take them off without losing them. Waterproof mittens are good. Waterproof boots essential obv - not wellies but ones with fleece inside. If it's windy, a balaclava keeps your nose warm.

Layers - it depends how cold we're talking. At about -8C or below I probably had a long sleeve thermal with a jumper over top, then the snowsuit. Anything less and it would have been ordinary t-shirt plus jumper. Too many layers are no fun because they get in the way of playing!

Have fun, make sure you do some sledging!

https://www.polarnopyret.com/en/uk/kids-clothes/outerwear/skiwear?age=1-6y&age=6-12y

This brand is excellent. Worth checking on Vinted for secondhand. Mountain warehouse and decathlon do waterproofs at a much lower pricepoint which are fine, though less robust and likely to survive multiple children.

We have some excellent ski trousers from Lands End, though they were cutting back their kids offering so not sure if they still make them.

would recommend always having jellybabies or similar with you so you can quickly administer

For that age an all in one snowsuit. It’s better at keeping the snow out and staying warm. Switch to separates when they’re in ski school and need to toilet independently during lessons. I rate the Columbia snowsuits, one of mine also had a North Face one for a bit. Underneath you want a thermal base layer, merino are the best for warmth and can be bought cheaply from Mountain Warehouse. Then a fleece/mid layer. Ski socks. A neck warmer- buff ones are good as they can be pulled up if windy and they have kids designs. Mine have Hestra gloves. They never get wet through so have never needed a second pair. Sorrel Whitney snowboots are the best- warm, waterproof and feel like trainers so not clompy to walk in and you’ll get wear out of them in the UK too so worth the investment.

Best brand is Polarn o Pyret and Wheat is also ok. Both are v expensive although everything will last and can be sold on / passed on.

Also Mikk-line is very good and much cheaper but that can be hard to find outside Scandinavia.

Seconding the idea of looking on Vinted. Mountain Warehouse may not be the classiest brand but their stuff is perfectly acceptable and plentiful on Vinted. It’s not worth spending a fortune for one holiday.

We used to get great snow trousers from h and m. Don't know if they still do them. The sallopettes were better as last longer than a suit. If they have braces they stay up well so no snow down waist. Aldi often do ski stuff too.

Merino wool base layer. Fleece mid layer for the top. Then either an all in one if still in nappies or salopettes and jacket if potty trained. Mittens (take a spare set), hat and snow boots. Get it all off Vinted!

Borrow what you can. Then eBay Vinted for the rest
right before you go consider emergency top up of kit via decathlon

Edited to delete double post!

You can get a lot if this second hand.

Sorel snow boots

Has to be a Didrikson winter onesie or their salopettes & jacket

Multiple bright hats from the high street
didrikson boggles hat
H&M waterproof mitts. Several pairs.
plus multi packs of their knitted gloves to wear inside the mitts if it’s really cold

(several pairs
of mitts + gloves + hats so you can carry spares. And still have several for tomorrow if today’s are not dry in time.)

sew a string into all gloves and thread through jacket. Minimises losses.

the Didrikson Biggles hat is excellent in the snow and doesn’t fall off!

polarn o pyret or merino baby long sleeve base layers (has to be merino - good at regulating temperature)

plus a fleece mid layer - Didrikson. Mountain warehouse. Polarn o p. Def get this second hand - usually loads!

ski socks - get these new

https://littletrekkers.co.uk/sorel-snow-commander-boot/

https://hollandscountryclothing.co.uk/products/didriksons-boardman-kids-rain-set

https://www.littleadventureshop.co.uk/products/didriksons-falken-kids-ski-coverall-pomme-red

https://www.polarnopyret.com/en/uk/kids-clothes/outerwear/winter-clothes/thermals/long-sleeve-base-layer-top-merino-wool-blue-60602544-7015

https://www.polarnopyret.com/en/uk/kids-clothes/outerwear/winter-clothes/thermals/long-johns-merino-wool-blue-60602564-7015

https://www.didriksons.com/uk/kids/accessories/hats-caps/biggles-kid-s-cap-6-505028-n03

https://www.welovefrugi.com/product/snow-and-ski-mittens

https://www2.hm.com/engb/productpage.1203644002.html

https://www2.hm.com/engb/productpage.1307128001.html

https://www.next.co.uk/style/SU280385/F31179

https://www.marksandspencer.com/kids-london-fair-isle-hat-and-gloves-set-3-10-yrs-/p/clp23048836?intid=mobileapppdpshare

https://uk.dilling.com/product/childrens-merino-woolsilk-leggings-fg-5352-0259-119

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7056014971-didriksons-bjornen-snow-suit-90cm

i agree with a previous poster - onesie if in nappies. But salopettes / dungarees and a jacket if toilet trained.

Kuling for snow boots and salopettes and jackets

We live in snowy climate, I prefer 2 piece sets for snow. As sometimes it’s actually hot in sun up hi so then you can remove coat if needed and just wear salopettes and jumper a while. It’s been very mild the last 2 winters so a good chance it’s actually not that cold. Plus you can then use coat as main coat without salopettes when not in snow and back in uk.

Merino thermals. I buy from Engel. And Engel merino buff and thin hat.

Also h and m and Zara are good for basic extras. Zara has nice thick wool knit kids leggings. H and m also has thermals.

We just use regular woolen jumpers for warm layer, no ski special stuff. I have nice ones for ds from jojo mamam and Boden on sales ( and he wears all winter)

For the chalet these onesies are excellent
https://www.onepiece.com/gb/kids

Thanks so much, everyone! I think I’ve now got a clear idea of how many layers I need and which brands are worth going for.
Hope you all have a lovely seasonal break and enjoy the holidays!

Salzburg is not usually too cold over Christmas, it is very likely to be between 0 to +5. In the villages nearby (will it Saalbach or around?) can be a bit colder but usually nothing extreme. If you need the clothing just for one visit, Decathlon is much cheaper and will do perfectly good job. We used to go: smth like uniqlo heattech base layer/ m&s thermal set, fleece and the snowsuit in top. I would go for all in one suit at this age - much better for smaller kids as less bulky. Also mittens that can be clipped on to the snowsuit and neck warmer.