Sweden skiing - what do we need?

[Deisogn]

We are taking our kids 6/10/12 skiing for the first time in Sweden this year. I've managed to find reasonably priced kids skiwear but it seems really expensive for DH and I. I'm hesitant to spend a lot until I know whether the kids like it or not. Also it seems Sweden is going to be VERY cold and what would work in the Alps won't in Sweden at half term. What would people recommend for gear?

You want layers - thermal top and bottom, fleece top and bottom, then outerwear. Balaclavas to go under your helmet and pull up to your goggles so that none of your face is exposed. Gloves are really important - I tend to wear touch gloves under mitts, and I mean BIG mitts! That’s the one thing I think it’s really worth spending on, all the thermals etc can be bought cheaply from somewhere like Decathlon.

I’ve skied in Sweden at New Year - possibly not quite as cold but we did ski under lights in the evenings.

I don’t know whether you need anything extra compared to the Alps - it’s more that you’ll keep everything on.

We all just had thermals and then shell on the bottom half. No fleece layer. Then on top we had thermals, fleece and shell. My husband’s shell layer was older/cheaper and he felt the cold on the snowy/windy days. Me and the kids had newer/better quality shells and had no problem. My jacket was Decathlon so nothing very expensive but it wasn’t the cheapest Decathlon jacket (whilst my husband’s was).

We double-gloved - had liners beneath shell.

My husband is bald so had a balaclava under helmet but the rest of us were fine with helmets and snoods. Definitely needed pulling up high on the colder days. Also you want merino/warm quick dry snoods as the fleece ones just get damp.

I've skied in lapland and it was extremely cold. But I just wore set of thermals under usual ski gear.

I've skiied in Sweden lots of times. It is cold. Proper merino thermal base layers, then ordinary ski fleece & good quality top layers.

I always bought Scandinavian brand ski wear for the kids but they are younger than yours.

Def merino balaclava under helmets.

But when skiing you still get warm!

No blue ski & sunshine days like in the aloes though, but beautiful in a different way.

Which resort are you going to?

We loved bbqing sausages on the open fire pits for lunch (they are everywhere!).

Jealous!

@livingthegoodlife

Which brands do you like for your kids? I got POP and REIMA. Do they need fleece trousers over the merino base layers? I have one that finds all merino itchy so not sure what to do about her. Any soft merino brands? Would never have thought of a merino balaclava - thx! Any steer on women's gear greatly appreciated.

We are staying here:

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelReview-g1143849-d2092506-Reviews-StorhognaaHogfjallshotellSpa-VemdalennJamtlandCountyyJamtlandanddHarjedalen.html

I haven't been to that resort but I'm guessing conditions will be similar as we weren't that far away.

My kids wore:
Pop merino leggings & top
Jack wolfskin fleece top with neck zip
Pop merino balaclava
Cheap Lidl fleece "buff" neck tube (can be pulled over nose if super cold
Reusch mittens (about £30 a pair)
Wool ski sock - smart wool
Pop all in one ski suit or poivre blanc
Any fleece lined woolly hat (when in town)
Proper snow boots - Sorel

I wore ice breaker merino base layers, North Face fleece, merino neck warmer & balaclava, merino glove liners, mittens, Roxy ski jacket/salopettes.

No one moaned about the cold. Minus 14 most days. Minus 21 at one point.

No need for fleece trousers over the merino trousers.

@Deisogn You can buy extremely soft cotton mix thermals from M&S which my merino rejecter wears. They're probably not as warm (but I do the extra fleece layer, not just for skiing but also for his day to day as he's out an outdoor kindergarten).