School ski trip

[HiMatildaBye]

Dd is 13, in year 8 and will be going skiing for the first time in February half-term. As a non skier myself, where do I get the gear from and what do I need? Any other top tips for a safe and fun school skiing trip? She will have a couple of lessons the snow dome before. What kind of clothes are good to take on a trip like this? They are staying for 6 nights.

look at the school packing list.
our dc school stipulated 1 soft travel bag. max 60l.
was very tight as sheets&covers were part of the packing list.
ski gear we rented, but those with their own used ikea bags for that.

I wouldn’t send a large bag. They will wear coat travelling and all ski gear hired so they shouldn’t need to take much tbh. A small wheelie suitcase is what most school kids seem to bring (medium size max) - we live in ski area so see loads of coaches arrive

Perfect thanks @greenacrylicpaint and@Caspianberg

The school list doesn't stipulate a size - they just said 'bring a big bag if you like - the coach has plenty of room'.

I think he'll be fine with the rucksack I usually use then.
As you say - he'll be wearing the jacket and walking boots so just the salopettes and undergear, sleeping and wash stuff etc to pack. The helmet and boots are being hired there.

Cheers

He will want a smaller rucksack as daybag I assume also though? As if on coach journey the main luggage will be underneath and inaccessible, so a rucksack for snacks, water, entertainment by feet on coach.
And in resort if the trip goes elsewhere walking or sightseeing

@sagalooshoe Assuming you are asking about his main luggage, the answer is "whatever he can comfortably carry." He'll be carrying the case or bag to and from the coach, possibly through an airport, from the coach into the accommodation and quite often up two or three flights of stairs to his room.

In my time repping I've seen many kids turn up with a case weighing 25kg or more that they could barely lift. Maximum should be about 17kg - less would be better; i.e. a medium-sized suitcase or holdall type bag.

Most school trips also require a small backpack for carrying lunch, a drink, a hat and extra gloves etc. Again, make this as small as possible. A Fjällräven Kanken backpack is 16L (as an example that you can Google) and is more than adequate - smaller would be better. A £10 backpack from any sports discount shop or Aldi/Lidl is fine - it's going to get wet and dirty anyway.

Yes the day bag is accounted for - we have a small lightweight one he can take on the coach and on-piste. Thanks all.

If they’re going on a coach any bag or suitcase that comfortably fits everything in will be fine. They’re not subject to any size or weight restrictions like that would be if flying.

We find soft bags are better as they’re easier to store in the room once empty.

Check out Primark too for base layers etc. We got some really pretty scalloped edged ones whe we went to the Ice Hotel.

Worth asking your wider social group too? I know (many moons ago) that ‘my’ ski suits went on about five more ski trips that I did!

depends
depending on group size our school takes one doubledecker or 2 coaches.
if full to capacity in a single coach them luggage is restricted to one bag each plus 1 gear bag between 3.

"They’re not subject to any size or weight restrictions like that would be if flying"

Just to reiterate what I wrote before - the size of the case or soft bag is restricted to what the child can carry. The coach drivers, teachers and reps are not going to carry anyone else's cases 100 yards along the street to the hotel and up 3 flights of stairs - they have their own luggage to carry - so please don't send your child off with a case or bag that weighs nearly as much as they do.

A cabin sized case will be absolutely fine. They likely won't be able to drag it once in resort due to cobbled streets/snow on the ground/both, so one that they can pick up is key.

All it'll need in it is:

2-3 base layer sets
Minimum 2 pairs of ski socks, plus normal socks for each day for evenings.
Flip flops or sliders for the boot room, but also useful if they're just staying in the accommodation in the evenings.
1 fleece jumper (mid-layer).
A couple of changes of clothes for the evenings. Skiing tends to be very casual, so I wear the same jeans I travelled in, and take some extra tops.
Salopettes
Gloves
Buff
Hat
Toiletries
Charger/adapter
Helmet if you choose to buy your own (socks and gloves can be stuffed inside).
Sweets (those mini bags of Haribo/Lidl own are perfect). Teen or not, having a pack of sweets or a mini chocolate bar on a chair lift is a big pick me up, especially if you've spent the morning falling over.

Have them wear decent snow proof shoes or boots and their jacket on the way out.

Plus a daypack for the coach.

I would add hand warmers if your child has never skied before and easy to keep in a pocket.
also goggles, lip balm with spf, face spf