yet another what to wear question - please advise

[fabhead]

We are going skiing with a 5y old and 2y old - first time for all except me. I used to ski a lot at school many moons ago. In my day we just wore jeans and lots of jumpers (but were cold of course). So now I have understood the concept of layering. Have got us thermals from M&S (kids) and the Uniqulo heat tech ones for us. Then am a bit confused as to what else we need for the middle and outer layers. My 3 questions which I would love an experienced family skier among you to answer are:

I have lots of long sleeved winter running tops - technical fabric ones, but not fleece. Would they do for me between thermals and ski jacket? Or should I buy myself a fleece?

Have got 2 pairs of salopettes for the 4y old and a fleece plus the thermals. Now, does he need a specific ski jacket? He has 2 winter coats at the moment - a Bench one with hood (but not waterproof) and a Sainsburys winter jacket which is quite thick and lined. Does he need a Specific ski jacket as well? What is the difference? They all seem to be made of polyester.

What does the non-skiing 2y old wear? No point getting him salopettes is there? Again, he has a winter jacket but not specifically a ski one. I have some of thos Tchibo lined waterproof dungarees? Would they do? So far have just got him a set of thermals and a fleece. What else does he need?

And finally, DP is fully kitted out - thermal long sleeve top, long johns, salopettes, fleece and ski jacket. Will that really be warm enough - seems very thin?

I think a long sleeved running top would be ok as long as its not too cold. Problem is if its cold you're going to need a fleece rather than a running top. I always take 2 fleeces with me, one is very thin and the other is polartec 200. I decide which I'm going to wear depending on the weather, most days I do wear the thinner one but some days I've been glad of the thicker one.

Also depends how thich your ski jacket is, mine seems to be thicker than most peoples'. So if your ski jacket is more on the thin side, you'll need a thicker mid layer.

When DD was 2 she used to have an all in one snowsuit. Waterprood dungarees would probably be fine but will need some sort of warm and waterprrof coat.

I think your 4yo will need a ski jacket. I know when it snowed earlier all of DD's friends playing in the snow in their winter coats got soaked and cold. They don't seem as water resistant as a ski jacket and if your 4yo is going to be falling over or playing in the snow he's going to need to be dry.

Oh, your DP's ensemble seems fine. Maybe a pair of Ron Hill type trousers as well as the thermal trousers if its cold.

Thanks!

What are Ron Hill trousers?

They're thin polyester running trousers. Ron Hill is just the make. Any non generic ones will do but another layer could be an idea.

DH and I usually wear long thermals, a normal tshirt, a fleece and then ski jacket & trous for Jan sking, shedding the jacket if it's especially warm.

4yo's jacket must be waterproof, no debate.
If you have an H&M or a TKMaxx near you have a look at the kids ski jackets in there and see how it compares to his Sainsbury's one - tbh if it seems a bit thin / light / not windproof / no storm cuffs etc it'd be worth buying a ski one as both boys will wear it eventually and nothign will put him off skiing like being cold and uncomfortable the first time.

Again, 2yo's jacket must be properly waterproof.
Tchibo dungies will be ok if they're the fleece-lined ones - if not then wear normal trousers as well as thermals.

Both kids will need decent waterproof gloves / mittens and boots, also hats with good ear protection and a helmet for the 4yo (rent this). Neck warmers stay on better than scarves unless you have very high-necked fleeces or thermals.

proper ski socks for all exceot the 2yo too - Tchibo used to be great for these but the M&S anatomical ones are pretty good. 'Tube' socks are crap. Wear a pair of normal socks underneath to make them last an extra day.

we are going end feb and fairly low (Les Gets) so maybe we have got enough layers! Thanks for the advice, keep it coming.

and do the ski jackets need to have a skirt thing at the bottom? I have seen a nice HH one for ds1 but it doesnt seem to have one. Is this essential?

Don't forget sunglasses and goggles (better on cloudy days and definitely needed for snowy days), and sunscreen/sunblock - don't let your kids out without any on, even on a cloudy day.

I would also suggest (I know this sounds pedantic) sewing a long length of elastic to each of your 5yo's gloves, and threading it through the sleeves of their jacket. I've seen so many kids struggling with gloves on ski lifts, trying to blow their nose or something, and a glove gets dropped. As a result, they can't feel their hands by the end of the lesson. Elastic doesn't look cool, granted, but they won't lose their gloves either

yes...get a snow skirt on your ski jacket...stops snow going up your back when you fall...

Mountain Warehouse (also online) have great ski jackets for £25 approx, my four year old wears the size 5-6 and its been great for his sledging adventures and rolling in the snow in minus temps.

My 1.5 year old has had his adventures in those lined thermal Tchibo dungarees and Tchibo jacket (no skirt but less extreme sledging) he has been fine and warm.

The 4 year old has proper ski socks which have worked a treat in wellies...you might need to take these for walking about out of ski boots when you go to / come off lifts...I think in Les Gets you have to walk to the lifts across a road.

Les Gets fab place to learn!

this jacket

Oh glad you think resort choice good - I am a bit worried as I am the only one who has skied before (long time ago) so if they hate it I will be blamed. 2 Beginners and a rusty intermediate, I thought it sounded like a good bet.

I am just overwhelmed with the clothing/equipment now tho - as I said, in my day we wore jeans, no helmets or goggles and a jacket and jumpers!!

Do the sunglasses need to be skiing specific with a band or normal ones?

Where should I get googles/helmet from - soemone told me they should fit together so I thought I need to see them - Decathlon?

Thanks all - you are reassuring me with your wisdoma nd experience!

goggles!

my 6yo wears salopettes with thermal long johns and socks or tights and ski socks (knee high tubes). On her top half she wears a thermal vest, thin fleece, and then her ski jacket on top. Her stuff came from Tchibo (brilliant - the jacket zips onto the salopettes and has a snow gaiter etc) and muddy puddles. She also has a fleece balaclava that keeps her neck warm and the bit that goes over her head is thinner so that it fits under her helmet.

She does get v. hot when skiing but says that her feet get cold hence two pairs of socks or tights and socks.

My 2/3yo wore a one-piece hooded & padded snow suit with normal clothes layered underneath. She also has a fleece balaclava/neckwarmer. I have the Tchibo fleeced lined dungarees you mention and don't think they're warm enough really, we did use them when visiting the Glacier at Kaprun in Austria last year but that was during the Summer in August! In the winter its not enough imo esp as the younger one don't heat up through activity really.

If its your 5yo's first time, make sure the mittens have velcro straps that tighten around the wrist (We found them the easiest kind to adjust and stay on) and have two pairs because one tended to get soaked and needed an extra day to dry out so it was good to have a spare pair available.

Good luck - we just got back from skiing in Italy and it was just wonderful to see how much my now 6yo's skiing advanced and how much her little sister enjoyed playing in the snow.

PS DH and I wore merino wool icebreaker base layers, DH doesn't wear a midlayer fleece because he heats up and doesn't need it (I do though) and normal ski trousers/jackets as outer layer.

HTH

skiwear packages

when I skied this area I had a jacket which had a pocket on my arm to slip my ski pass inside...I just had to brush against the sensors to get through...

otherwise dont forget about some ski pass holders when in resort

no idea about helmet and goggles sorry

I would get googles in resort, more choice including cheap ones. Although TK Max probably do some even cheaper.

But at least you can see if they fit ok with your helmet.

You can probably hire adult helmets in resort ratherthan buy them. You can def hire kids' helmets.

what is the deal with the helmet/googles? Do they fit together somehow or just have to be compatible? Someone mention long over ear vs short ones as well? And get the pink glass ones not clear right?

Goggles here that say if they're helmet compatible or not.

www.girlswhoski.com/shop.aspx?section=2

Though when I bought my helmet it seemed some googles were ok with some helmets but not others. I did find a big table online listing every helmet and saying what googles they were ok with. But that was years ago and I have no idea where to find it now.

and gloves or mittens for 5y old at ski school?

I got goggles from Muddy Puddles for the age-group recommended, they fit fine with a helmet. I got mittens rather than gloves because they're that much easier for them to put on and are warmer.

thanks guys - one final question then I will leave you alone. Do you think those uniqulo heat tech thermal leggings and tops will do for us and DP as base layer - not sure can stretch to those merino wool ones, though they do look toasty. Someone also recomended M&S - are they any good?

I think you'll find that helmets have a clip at the back to hold the goggles' strap in place - I'm sure you'll find that helmets will accept pretty much any sort of goggles. We bought goggles for ds in the resort, but largely because we didn't have time to get them here before we went. Re: sunglasses, again, you will get more choice in resort, however I've bought KidsBanz and BabyBanz in the UK for the dcs before and they've been fine and are suitably protective.

I skied for years without any thermals, just thin leggings and a running top instead. It was fine, so I'm sure any thermals will be fine. I just use cheap Millets ones now.

Some googles are too high up on your brow (or the helmet is too low) and the helmet will push the googles into your nose. Thats where the fitting issue comes into play, so the clip/strap isn't really where the problem can be.

DD's thermals last year were from m&s and they seemed fine.

I wear M&S thermal leggings beneath my ski trousers and they are more than warm enough. My top layers are Icebreaker merino layers. I have to say, I prefer these to regular thermals.

For your 2 yo DS, I would still buy an all-in-one ski suit. We have always used ski stuff for our non-skiing little ones.

I would also recommend mitts for 5yo. They are warmer for their little fingers. And actually, on the subject of gloves, I wore Nike dri-fit running gloves beneath my ski gloves this year and have never had such toasty digits

How are you travelling to Les Gets? And when are you going? If you are travelling by your own steam (rather than ski bus) then its worthwhile stopping at Cora which is a french supermarket in Amphion (en route to Les Gets). They do bargainous ski wear and I saw fleeces in there this weekend at a mere 10 euros a piece, for example. Also, you may be pleasantly surprised by in-resort prices. I bought a fab pair of Chanel-esque skiing sunglasses last week for 12 euros. They are brilliant and are much better than the more expensive ones I had left behind at home.