First time skiing for me and DD4 - what to buy/pack?

[tokajlover]

As the title suggests, am going skiing next month for the first time with my DD(4).

I am normally quite an organised person and I know Google exists, but honestly feel lost on what to actually buy and pack for both of us clothing wise! Will be renting all equipment there, but would anyone mind breaking it down for me as if I am really slow (which I probably am when it’s to do with this haha!), exactly what I need from top to bottom to wear on a day skiing but also what sort of clothes to get for the evenings, including layers etc, as all the info online is contradictory and overwhelming! Same for my daughter!

I also would love brand/store/website recommendations for where to actually buy these things from :D

Thank you!

See the "Similar threads" at the bottom of this page for some basic info about what to take - i.e. Thermals, ski socks, fleece, ski trousers, ski jacket, Buff, ski gloves, wooly hat, sunglasses, goggles.

If there are other skiers amongst your social group/school mums/workplace they often have ski jackets and trousers that have only been worn a few times and that you might be able to borrow or buy. There must be hundreds of thousands of kids' ski suits that have only ever been worn once or twice before the children grew out of them. Many can be found on Vinted/ebay or in charity shops.

Otherwise, if you want to buy new then it all depends on budget. Perfectly good ski clothing (outerwear and underwear) and accessories can be found at Decathlon, Trespass, Dare2Be and even Aldi's own brand stuff is good (if you can find any as it sells out very quickly).

If you have a few thousand pounds to blow, then look at Bognar or Spyder, but it's really not necessary. Stay well away from any fashion brands - there was recently a "Look Cool on The Slopes" fashion feature in one of the newspapers featuring clothes that looked great on a 18-year-old Size 6 model but which would be utterly useless and impractical on the slopes.

Unless you're staying in a fancy 5-star hotel there is no need to worry about what to wear in the evenings - just wear whatever is relaxed and comfortable.

What are you doing in the evenings? Hotel, self catering, or eating out?

I would get your ski wear from Vinted, especially you child’s. There so much on there that’s only been worn for a week.

Get ski trousers and a jacket (make sure she can take them off herself if she’s going to be in ski school). Uniqlo are good for base layers. Get a set of leggings and long sleeved top and air them out each night. 3/4 pairs of ski socks on rotation should be fine. Don’t forget UV goggles.

Go to decathlon and buy their basics. Layers are ideal, long sleeve/legged base, light fleece or long sleeve polo-neck, waterproof/windproof jacket/trousers(or salopettes), long socks, goggles, ski gloves(and spare pair for other snow activities), sunglasses, woolly hat, neck gaiter, snow or walking boots. Pocket sized suncream and snacks. If it is warm you may need fewer layers and the base top/leggings are often acceptable indoors for breakfast/tea with slippers or trainers. You can hire helmet with skis, boots and poles.

Thermal base layers- top and bottom (DC can probably get away with 2 pairs for a week, for myself I would take 2-3 bottoms and a clean top for every day)
Ski socks (clean every day for me, 2 pairs for DC)
Mid layer e.g. a fleece - 2/3 each
Ski jacket and ski trousers
Neck warmer
Goggles
Ski gloves (I would do 1 pair with under gloves for you and 2 pairs for DC to swap out if they get wet from playing in the snow)
High factor facial sunscreen (pocket size to reapply at lunch) and spf lip balm
Sunglasses and a hat in your pockets to wear at lunch
Comfy casual clothes to wear around town/in your accommodation, normal gloves
Walking/snow boots
Swimsuit if your accommodation has a spa/pool
Hire your helmet and ski boots

Decathlon is a good starting point as they have everything at good prices. Uniqlo heat tech also good for base layers. DD’s ski wear is from Roxy and I got a good deal in the sale. It’s a good time to buy as most brands are doing sales.

If there are other skiers amongst your social group/school mums/workplace they often have ski jackets and trousers that have only been worn a few times and that you might be able to borrow or buy.
Also this! I’m always happy to give away outgrown stuff or lend so long as it overlap with when we’re away.

Just to warn you, you will now get many posts which are equally contradictory and overwhelming as skiers love to paste their must have list and everyone has their own way of doing things!! Just pick one list (or two to sense check) and go with it! Definitely you can pick up good value kids’ stuff secondhand at this time of year.

Glove strings so your dd doesn’t lose one. High factor suncream is non-negotiable. Snacks for pocket if doing lessons. Have a look at https://www.adventuresofthewests.com/about : they manage to fit in a lot of skiing with young kids and have some v useful blogs (videos on Instagram) about what kids should wear when they ski.

Agree re sunscreen including on lips.
If you are wearing (renting) helmets then most likely you will want goggles as sunglasses don't tend to fit.

Some people advocate wearing ski jacket to travel/in resort. I prefer having a separate jacket for travel/evenings because a tiny tear or cigarette burn would render your ski gear not waterproof which could be really rubbish later in the week. Also they are expensive!

Defo get a couple of packets of fun size mars bar or whatever.

If your daughter is in ski school they will definitely stop for a snack break so bring something for each day. Can be hard to buy in resort.

For 4 year old I would look at Mountain Warehouse, Trespass, Decathlon.

Most ski accommodation is very casual and kids usually just keep their thermals on in the hotel/chalet rather than normal clothes. Take slippers/sliders for wearing inside. Usually you go to the boot room to put your ski gear on and the floor can be wet.

When choosing a ski jacket, make sure there a pocket on the sleeve. Its for the ski pass. Extra points if you find away of securing it shut. That picket does not get opened at any point.

For both (ski wear):
2-3x base layer long sleeve tops
2-3x base layer long leg bottoms
1x mid layer fleece top
1x salopettes
1x ski jacket
3x ski socks
Goggles
Sunglasses
Crocs/sliders (to wear to & from boot room)

For both (evening wear):
1-2 pairs joggers/leggings/jeans
1-2 hoodie/jumper/sweatshirt
3-4 T-shirts
Winter/snow boots

We took our son skiing for the first time when he was 4, it’s a great age to start. Packing list for him (and same for us):
ski jacket
sallopettes
2 x merino base layers (top and bottom)
2 x fleeces
4 x ski socks
1 x ski mittens (easier to put on than gloves and warmer)
1 x merino lining gloves
1 x neck warmer
1 x snow boots
1 x sunglasses
1 x goggles
1 x helmet (but you can hire one instead)
1 x warm hat for the evening if we go out

Then a few pairs of joggers, t-shirts and jumpers for the evening (although we self cater and so it’s often chill in the apartment in base layers before shower and PJs).

We take snacks from home which he has in his pocket for mid way through his lesson. I also take some mini chocolate bars for the end of the day. These kind of things can be bought in resort but they are very expensive.

High factor suncream and lip-salve is essential.

Vinted is brilliant for ski stuff. I really rate Muddy Puddles and there’s always loads on Vinted at this time of year, often in near perfect condition and great value. Look out for the jackets with a zip up pocket on the left sleeve for the lift pass (and I agree with a PP who said this pocket should never be opened). I’d be mindful about cheaper brands, the quality isn’t always as good and if your daughter gets cold and wet it can be really miserable and will spoil her enjoyment.

Have the best time!