Ski gear for a novice family

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We are going on our first family ski trip at the beginning of January and I don’t know where to begin with what gear to buy. Children are 4,6 and 8. Do we go for Jackets and Salopettes or snowsuits? Any particular brands to go for/avoid? Is secondhand on Vinted ok? How do we prevent cold?

Any top tips are gratefully received

Jackets and salopettes for easy toilet trips. Otherwise you have to strip them off and they get cold, equally at lunch if youre too hot you can't just remove your jacket.

2nd hand is ok but not trashed stuff or it won't be waterproof. Also make sure you buy nikwax wash stuff to keep it all waterproofed.

Depends where you are going for temperature- as beginners you probably won't be taken super high up. Different people also feel the cold differently. Beginners work really hard and you'll sweat if over dressed. Alps in January I'd be in a long sleeved thermal top and then either a t shirt or thin fleece on top under my jacket. Thermal leggings under salopettes. Kids can get away with normal leggings. Once you can ski you want the thinest socks possible but when learning potentially the thicker the better- proper socks not tube socks or they will fall down. Also gloves with wrist straps for kids.

Be careful not to get boarding trousers as some won't fit over ski boots although some will. Kids either want high waisted salopettes with velcro tightening straps or ones with braces. Get jackets with snow skirts.

Neck buff to protect face if snowing.

And goggles- honestly all the gear is pricey and the good brands cost more and are better.

I'd either buy decent brands 2nd hand or just decathlon/ mountain warehouse cheap stuff until you know you all like it and want to invest.

You need base layers, mid layer like a fleece and a decent jacket and salopettes. You will also need a buff/neck gaiter and goggles. Proper shaped ski socks, not ski tubes. Decent gloves are very important for beginners as otherwise your hands will get soaking and that’s miserable.

fine to buy from vinted but be aware that waterproofing could have been lost through washing.

Ski gear can very quickly get expensive, so your first option should be to see what you can buy or borrow from any other families that also ski. Failing that, second-hand from Vinted, ebay etc. is fine - there are thousands of wardrobes and cupboards full of ski stuff that has only ever been worn once or twice before the kids grew out of it!

Jackets and salopettes are the way to go (for adults too) rather than snowsuits, which are a pain when you need to visit the toilet - which you will need to do at least twice during any ski day.

If you are going to buy new look at Decathlon, Dare2Be or Trespass, or even the ski clothing sold by Aldi every year in around October/November. All are decent quality, particularly Decathlon, and good value for money. Obviously you'll need your own ski underwear, so again, look at Decathlon or Aldi for reasonable, affordable stuff. On top of that you'll need fleece layers, especially as you are going in January. Everyone needs two pairs of gloves - mittens for the children are better and warmer than gloves - and 3 pairs of ski socks. Get proper ski socks - stay well away from tube socks with snowmen or reindeer on them as these will bunch up in the boots and cause blisters. Also get a Buff and a knitted hat. Once you get bitten by the ski bug (and once the kids stop growing) you can splash out on the really expensive brands and pay £800 or more for a jacket, but until then, the basic stuff from Decathlon etc. is fine.

Avoid any "fashion" brands - these produce clothes for posing around the village and bars in rather than ski clothing that will keep you warm (and safe) on the mountain. And don't buy anything white. The Sunday Times and other papers seem to produce annual "ski fashion" features that somehow manage to highlight the sort of clothes that nobody who skis seriously would be seen dead in, but which are fine for sitting outside a cafe with an Aperol Spritzer and a little lapdog that matches the fur collar on the utterly impractical ski suit.

The ski rental shop will provide helmets, which are compulsory for children in most resorts and ski schools.

Decathlon is the answer unless you can borrow stuff. It may be cold in January, but beginners lessons won’t be at the top of the mountain and the children will likely be falling over and picking themselves up… they could be warmer than you expect! Personally I (and kids) had base layer and sweatshirt (usually decathlon cheap one as they aren’t too bulky) as well as jacket. I only put leggings in if really cold. Proper ski socks are essential (but only 2 pairs each). And gloves.

It might be ok to buy kids stuff second hand but I would be concerned that adult ski gear may not be waterproof after repeated use, plus technology has really moved on in the past few years so you may end up with overly bulky gear that doesn’t dry quickly. Oh and ski clothing sizes are weird so it’s hard to judge online.Kids clothes are fine because they will only have used it for one season.
I would also advocate going to Decathlon and kitting up there, plus look at cheaper UK brands such as Trespass.
Enjoy - it becomes even more expensive once you get into it and want better gear !

Oh and my top tip is buy at least 2 pairs of cheap gloves for each DC.Guaranteed one will lose one and then you end up having to buy a ludicrously expensive mountain priced pair ( guess how I know this).

Look out for gear in places like Lidl, though to be honest I’ve always worn my 3 in 1 hiking jacket and waterproof trousers (hiking ones) over leggings

I find the decathlon stuff fine for my 2 and 4 year old. They don’t ski hard- when they start skiing properly I will make sure they have decent stuff with snow guards.
I bought ours on vinted- a lot of stuff is only worn for one season.
I would highly recommend top and trousers for easy toileting.

I find the mittens with inner fleece gloves warmer than gloves.

Lidl and aldi often do ski stuff offers. Great for things like spare gloves and under layers, even if you get the outer layers elsewhere.

Another vote here for Decathlon for stuff from new. And the Aldi stuff is good, if you’re happy with not much choice in terms of colour/style. I’ve got some Aldi merino wool thermal leggings that I love. TK Maxx also often have ski wear in early in the winter.

Definitely get two pairs of gloves for the kids at least. There is nothing so miserable as skiing in wet gloves. You can also get disposable hand and feet warmers - they look like tissues that warm up when you tear open the packet. (Hot hands are one brand although I know Decathlon do own brand ones) It could be worthwhile getting some just in case as they don’t take up too much space. It can get very cold in January.

Don’t forget that you’ll need some warm waterproof boots or shoes for walking about the resort, particularly if you want to go sledging.

ETA: Decathlon’s own brand ski stuff is branded Wedze.

Ski jackets make pretty good winter coats: they're warm but not too warm, waterproof and have lots of pockets. Get one from Decathlon, and maybe pick one that they can wear to school for extra use. Their basic stuff is excellent value and their top end is technically some of the best on the market for crazy little money.

Great suggestions, just wanted to add definitely get salopettes rather than just trousers, if you don’t want to end up with snow down the back of them when you fall! Very cold and wet when that happens, as I bought trousers because they looked good instead of salopettes!

These are all such helpful ideas - thank you so much. I am making a list now. If you think of anything else, please do let me know.

Some gloves and mittens come with wrist loops so you don't lose them when you take them off. Very important for the kids. If they don't come with loops, either sew loops onto them yourself, or do the old trick your grandmother used of having them attached to a long string that goes up one arm and down the other.

Other essential stuff:
Sunglasses and/or goggles;
Sun cream and lip/chapstick - buy in UK as very expensive in resort;
Small packets of Haribo and mini choc-bars;
Small Euro notes so the kids have money for a hot chocolate;
A laminated, credit card sized piece of card with your name and contact details (and the kid's name, language/flag and any meds or allergies);
Pocket tissues;
Positive mental attitude - skiing is hard work and tiring the first day or two, but when everything clicks it becomes great fun.

Do get the disposable hand warmers. Don’t use them automatically unless v cold, but on occasion they’ve been a real game changer.

Ah, now I much prefer trousers. You have to take you coat off to pee with salopettes and half the time I dangle the straps in the toilet! High trousers with a belt and long jacket work pretty well even off piste

Decathlon, mountain warehouse, trespass, dare2be all offer functional budget ski ranges. Jacket and salopettes are easier and more flexible than skisuits. January is cold and days short so layers including thermal and fleece useful. Goggles rather than sunglasses and don’t forget suncream and moisturiser as you can get wind burnt even if no sun.

And if you can get jackets with a powder skirt inside that stops snow shooting up inside when you fall over! Also a small zipped pocket on sleeve or chest for a lift pass is useful.

Mountain warehouse are not that expensive, and sometimes do deals where you can get the jacket, salopette etc together.

Mountain warehouse do brilliant merino thermals. I’d get 2 pairs per kid so they can have a fresh pair mid week. Mid layer is a fleece again I usually go 2 per kid.

I think salopettes are better for keeping little ones warm. Mine have done ski school since 3 and have never wet themselves as a result of being unable to manage them in the toilet. Trousers tend to appear more in the older kids sizes of 8+ presumably when they’ve matured out of rolling in the snow.

I don’t personally rate vinted as you don’t know if the previous owner has fucked the waterproofing by using fabric softener or whatever. If you haven’t bought winter coats yet just make them the ski jackets and spend a bit more to get quality. Make sure they have a powder skirt and a ski pass pocket on the sleeve. Get bottoms from decathlon or mountain warehouse.

Ski socks mountain warehouse or decathlon. Decathlon also good for goggles.
Gloves- mittens are better at keeping hands warm. Personally I go for high quality hestra ones but if you go cheap get 2 pairs for the kids in case the waterproofing is iffy and they get wet through and need swapping.

In pockets you want sunglasses, hat, normal gloves for when you stop at a restaurant and also lip balm and suncream.

Also snowboots for walking around town.