Dress warm; Dress for the weather.
The most surefire way to dress your child for skiing is to layer his or her clothing. That way, if your child gets too hot during the day, you can always remove a layer. Start with a base layer such as long underwear. Then, for colder days, consider a mid-layer, such as a fleece layer or even a sweatshirt and sweatpants. Keep in mind, though, that clothing made out of synthetic material has proven to be the best, as it maintains body heat while wicking out moisture. This goes for socks, too, as synthetic wicking ski socks will be warmer than wool ones. Top everything off with a waterproof, insulated ski jacket and pants.
Accessorize Appropriately – Check the Three G’s
Don’t forget your child’s skiing accessories which are a key component of staying warm and protected. Make sure to check the Three G's of skiing accessories:
- Goggles: Goggles are important to shield your child’s eyes from the sun and snow, and also provide protection against the wind. Most ski shops offer inexpensive, basic child’s size goggles, which are most comfortable for smaller faces.
- Gaitor: A fleece gaitor is a safer, and warmer, option than a scarf. Not only does a neck warmer allow for better mobility than a scarf, but, scarves can pose safety hazards on ski lifts.
- Gloves: A good pair of gloves can save both parents and children a lot of frustration. Whether your child wears mittens or gloves—mittens are usually warmer, but, gloves provide better dexterity—make sure they fit your child’s hands and are still warm. Gloves that have been “packed out” from seasons of use won’t keep your child’s hands warm and dry.
Address your child’s concerns.
If you find that your child is fearful of skiing, remember that it’s always a good idea to start small, familiarizing your child with the bunny hill. If your child is afraid to go to ski school or have a lesson, pull the instructor aside or discreetly mention your child’s concerns. That way, the instructor will be prepared to alleviate your child’s fear and make sure he or she is having fun.
Keep in mind the value of ski school.
It’s a good idea to Invest in lessons. Kids learn best with seasoned professionals and a group of peers. Instructors know how to make sure kids are having fun, staying safe, and learning how to ski. If you do make the decision to enroll your child in ski school, research the program on the resort’s website to see if you can make reservations prior to coming to the mountain. Once the morning comes, make sure you arrive on time with all of your child’s ski gear. If your child doesn’t want you to leave, treat the situation as you would if your child was at school, and don’t hang around once they’ve been handed over to the instructors. It’s okay to offer to meet up with your child during a break if he or she feels ambivalent about leaving you. Once the program is done at the end of the day, be on time to pick up your child and feel free to inquire about your child’s progress and how the day went.
Don’t take your child on runs he or she isn’t ready for.
Even if you’re dying to tackle that black, when skiing with your child, don’t force them to ski any trail that they aren’t comfortable with. Unless you’ve had experience with teaching, the safest bet is to leave the teaching to the instructors. That way, when your child is in ski school, you’ll have the opportunity to ski the runs that are at your level. When you do ski with your children, offer to take a run with them wherever they feel comfortable. Remember that when skiing with kids, it’s a good idea to avoid crowded trails or busy terrain parks.
Take plenty of breaks.
A cold child isn’t a happy one. Even if you don’t feel cold, your child might, so keep in mind you may have to stop for hot chocolate more than just once. Frequent breaks also help if your child is getting tired. During these breaks, remember to remind your child to use the bathroom before heading out again.
Make sure your child is having fun.
Children have notoriously short attention spans, and if your child is losing interest, take a break. If they’re cranky or tired and it’s getting late, quite while your ahead, as injuries (and unhappiness) is most common when a child is exhausted. If you take the right steps to ensure that your child is skiing safe and having fun, the day will run smoother for both of you and your child will be eager to return in the future.
