Ski kit for toddlers

[Starrymummy1]

Hi, looking for advice on ski kit for toddlers (2 and 4 year olds). I imagine they’ll spend a bit of time sledging and having snow ball fights and generally playing in the snow, rather than solely skiing! Would I be alright with second hand ski kit or should I buy cheapie new (mountains warehouse do cheap kids snow suit £29.99) or would it be worth splashing out and buying second hand or new proper scandi snow suits- like Didrikinsons?

I’m worried about the waterproof-ness of the cheaper and/or second hand options. Not sure how well waterproofing spray works. Although I did think, given they’re so little, we wouldn’t be out for more than a couple of hours at a time, so it’s not so disastrous if they get a bit damp from rolling around in the snow. Any suggestions?

Has anyone taken their kids in second hand/hand me down ski suits and found they weren’t overly waterproof?

Not the question you're asking but ski school doesn't take kids under 4 (I think). Will you be teaching them to ski yourself?
Re: clothes, nothing will ruin your holiday more than kids who are cold and wet so I would get the best-quality clothes you can for the most reasonable price - so that probably means second-hand.

I used to work for mountain warehouse, I would not recommend their gear, it isn't particularly well made

Thanks for this. Neither are doing ski school. Planning on teaching them ourselves for an hour in the snow and then enjoying the snow in other ways.

Any idea whether a good brand (thinking of the scandi brands), second hand, is better than a mountain warehouse/columbia type brand new?

I’ve got no idea how long the waterproofing tends to last.

if anyone has any recommendation for good kids ski kit that would be great

This is interesting, thank you. £29.99 for a really nice ski suit does seem a bit too good to be true. They don’t actually list the waterproof rating, so assuming it won’t be very good

Mine were fine in Trespass gear.

What I would say for kids is they need 2 pairs of gloves - one on one drying - kids get gloves soaking wet. They tend to play IN the snow rather than ON the snow.

I'd also look at a company called Snowbizz I came across them via MN circa 10 years ago brilliant company specialising in family ski holidays!

We live in an alpine area.
Ds wears his ski kit daily at kindergarten and on the slopes. He’s 3

I really recommend ‘Kuling’ brand. It’s Swedish and really waterproof. The salopettes with dungarees type bib you can easily get 2-3 years out of . I buy from babyshop online. They often have offers. Their sip on snow boots at which easily than the Velcro for kids

Well a 4 yo isn't a toddler, they'll be ok in regular kit, helmet, mittens etc.

The younger one - wil you be trying to teach them? You'll prob have a small window a day when they're yo for that.

Boards or skis?

Second vote for Kuling, kept my DS warm and dry last year and is still in great condition. He was 3 this year and I got the Frugi snow suit for ski school - absolutely adorable and very warm. Got it a little bit so hoping it MIGHT stretch to next year too.

Knowing my 4 yo he will be rolling around in the snow. It’s our first snowy holiday so pretty sure he’ll be sitting in the snow, throwing snowballs etc, rather than being on skis all day.

3 yo- going to play it by ear. Obviously if on skis then kit not so important, what I’m keen to get advice on is ski suits that can withstand playing in the snow.

Layers. Where are you going, how cold will it be?

You need merino base layers and layer up according to temp, the outer layer is the waterproof layer. Is the younger one in nappies? That is a giant pain in the
Arse?

We have a north face ski suit. It was DD’s from 2-3 when we lived in Chicago so it got everyday wear on the daycare run, she skied in it from 2 a fair bit, on the local hill in Wisconsin and on holiday in Colorado. It now belongs to DS and has done 2 weeks in France with lots and lots of rolling in the snow. And it still looks like new. Bottoms all dry etc. Gloves wise they have Hestra mittens. Only one pair as they don’t get wet through. If they did lose them I’d buy another in resort but somehow it hasn’t happened yet.

Going at the end of March so not expecting it too be too arctic. Although have got plenty of base layers that I’ve been given so sorted on that. Just need advice on whether cheaper brand ski kit does the job or whether it’s worth investing in a better brand for kids who will be sitting in the snow

No nappies.

You can rent skiwear for kids, I'd do that rather than buying for a week of use.

thanks for your message. I had thought about that but worried that if it was rental it would have been washed lots and may have lost its waterproofness but perhaps I’m over worrying

Take a look at Reima too. It’s gets to -30 and below here and DS has never complained. Their one-pieces are the bomb. I had friends lining up to buy them off me when he outgrew them.

I've mostly used decathlon ski stuff for toddlers and it's been pretty good. Not as good as top end scandi stuff clearly, but did well for a few hours of snow play each day. They grow out of things so fast, so either second hand scandi or Decathlon new would be my vote.

For the 2yo, I'd suggest the bib style ski trousers. All in ones are warmer but less good for toilet trips - fine for an hour of sledging, not so good if you're out for longer periods. We did use both but used trousers more.

Two or more pairs of gloves is a minimum. Neck gaiter scarfs are good.

I have just been away skiing with DD5. I bought these ski tights from decathlon which are a ski sock snd thermal legging all in one. So much less faff in the morning than putting on socks. www.decathlon.co.uk/p/junior-ski-tights-socks-blue/_/R-p-170472

Decathlon's kids range is great if you have one near you or where you're staying, my kid lives in their stuff in the winter, keeps him warm and dry and is very reasonably priced too, have fun on your holiday!!

Just to warn you... my DDs have moaned many times about how ski snow is the wrong type of snow for snowmen and snowballs!!

Most of their gear has been Dare2Be. They've been going since 4&5.... although they did a couple of day trips at 3&4 as well.

Don't forget snowboots... they won't want to be in ski boots if not skiing!

end of March and just for a week I would also get decathlon or nicer secondhand stuff. I find all in ones warmer and dryer, make sure you have a good place to dry everything, lots of layers and you’ll be fine. For what it’s worth my kids started skiing from 2 in ski school in the French alps, so it is possible for PP who said it wasn’t. Both my kids absolutely love just playing in the snow, they can spend hours out there and remember they’re moving around a lot whilst they do so stay warm anyways.

Thanks for that. I’m not expecting them to be out for hours so sounds like Decathlon might do the trick. Thanks for the advice on salopettes v suit. I think I agree- would have gone for a suit if I was going in January but hoping they may be able to take their jackets off at lunch if we get some sunshine (fingers crossed!)

Sounds like 2 gloves is a must- I hadn’t thought of that, thanks

We took ours aged 8 months to 3y 8 months and 3 to 6.
They went in ski school from nearly 4 (the older one had turned 3 less than a month previously the first time so didn't go).
We got second hand down jackets (an all in one for the baby) and trousers with braces (PoP or similar) from eBay.
I happened to have some hand me down boots for some sizes but then got snow boots again from eBay for the other sizes.
Recently we went again (aged 8/11) and got Decathlon for the older one but we had another second hand down coat for the younger one. Again PoP with braces but that's the last age the oldest will fit in those so we got him some Decathlon too.

We sold all the jackets on for pretty much what we paid, and all the trousers so far (the 8 year old was small and wore the same ones the 6 year old wore previously).

Mittens are a must, not gloves, also buffs. Hats with ear flaps too.

Any suggestions on brand. My daughter gets cold toes anyway, bought her some fab snow boots a couple of years ago but looking for more now. I bought the mountain warehouse ones but they seemed awful. Muddy Puddles seems to get good reviews online?

I think it works out cheaper getting an all in one, I worried they might get too hot in March, but I guess I just take off their underneath layers instead of removing the jacket