Any advice on buying ski gear for kids?
Discussion
The whole possibility of me ever going skiing again hinges on persuading my family that it's fun.
When we were playing around in the snow here last year I noticed that my son very quickly lost interest in it when he got cold, so I'm on a mission to make sure he's 100% toasty the whole time we're out there on holiday. On the other hand, he's at the sort of age where anything we buy this year will be too small for next year and our budget is pretty tight anyway.
I'm assuming that buying second hand will be the best option. Is there anywhere to keep an eye out aside from the usual eBay etc?
Any advice on what to go for? He's just turning five and the hope is that he will be doing some skiing, as well as sledging, snowball fights etc. I presume an all-in-one ski suit with thermals underneath is the best option? Any brands to look for or avoid? Any other tips? (We taped his gloves onto his splash suit when it snowed here last year and that seemed to help...)
When we were playing around in the snow here last year I noticed that my son very quickly lost interest in it when he got cold, so I'm on a mission to make sure he's 100% toasty the whole time we're out there on holiday. On the other hand, he's at the sort of age where anything we buy this year will be too small for next year and our budget is pretty tight anyway.
I'm assuming that buying second hand will be the best option. Is there anywhere to keep an eye out aside from the usual eBay etc?
Any advice on what to go for? He's just turning five and the hope is that he will be doing some skiing, as well as sledging, snowball fights etc. I presume an all-in-one ski suit with thermals underneath is the best option? Any brands to look for or avoid? Any other tips? (We taped his gloves onto his splash suit when it snowed here last year and that seemed to help...)
i’d look at:
decathlon (online or in store)
tkmaxx
sports pursuit (online- selling off end of line/ old stock)
or also get on snowheads forum and ask there, also look in the classifieds. always stuff being sold there. Gumtree is potentially worth a look too, possibly get people selling job lots.
i’d say for little ones, possible worth while buying 2 pairs of gloves. they are liable to want to pick up snow and gloves are very easy to get wet. quick swap over at lunch time to new dry ones in your bag!!
decathlon (online or in store)
tkmaxx
sports pursuit (online- selling off end of line/ old stock)
or also get on snowheads forum and ask there, also look in the classifieds. always stuff being sold there. Gumtree is potentially worth a look too, possibly get people selling job lots.
i’d say for little ones, possible worth while buying 2 pairs of gloves. they are liable to want to pick up snow and gloves are very easy to get wet. quick swap over at lunch time to new dry ones in your bag!!
Definitely Decathlon. I went and kitted out our little lady (3 year old) last week from top to toe for about £120. This included an all in one and a set of separates too along with helmet, and several of each: socks, upper and lower thermal layers and gloves. They just didn’t have any suitable (pink) goggles.
Timely question: Aldi's ski stuff arrives in-store on 17/11 but always sells out very quickly. You can however order online already.
We kitted my (then) 3yo out in Aldi gear and he was as warm as toast. Really good value for money kit for kids, forget the brand snobbery, as you say they will outgrow it in 1-2 seasons.
We kitted my (then) 3yo out in Aldi gear and he was as warm as toast. Really good value for money kit for kids, forget the brand snobbery, as you say they will outgrow it in 1-2 seasons.
H&M makes very good winter kit for children. (as they should given the average Swedish winter weather).
As always the advice is lots of layers. Normal thermal vests / leggings plus wool or synthetic tops / fleeces. Most of this stuff should be reusable.
You could consider an all-in-one as snow is less likely to get in when they roll in the snow.
Mitts are better than gloves. Look for ones with wrist straps so if they take them off they don't fall away.
Apart from their club ski kit (which they rent) ours get most of their stuff at Zalando who often have some good deals on good quality stuff.
As always the advice is lots of layers. Normal thermal vests / leggings plus wool or synthetic tops / fleeces. Most of this stuff should be reusable.
You could consider an all-in-one as snow is less likely to get in when they roll in the snow.
Mitts are better than gloves. Look for ones with wrist straps so if they take them off they don't fall away.
Apart from their club ski kit (which they rent) ours get most of their stuff at Zalando who often have some good deals on good quality stuff.
Edited by chandrew on Friday 15th November 13:35
The horse has already bolted this year but the Cairngorm Ski Club sale of used or newly new ski gear in Aviemore is a yearly event (early November) where you can pick up some amazing bargains to soften the blow when kitting out your offspring.
It's a bit far north for most of course but if you're in the area (or planning to be in the area at that time) there's some great gear at knockdown prices.
We had four kids who skied - a couple of them competitively - and could put together a beginner's set of skis/binding, sticks and boots for £50-£60. Quite often the gear was only a season old. Even cheaper stuff was available, too, for the really impecunious! There's some tat of course so you need to be picky but the overall standard for beginners was pretty good and much cheapness!
This year's sale was last week. Check out the club's Facebook photos of the sale here: https://www.facebook.com/493726470704073/photos/pb...
It's a bit far north for most of course but if you're in the area (or planning to be in the area at that time) there's some great gear at knockdown prices.
We had four kids who skied - a couple of them competitively - and could put together a beginner's set of skis/binding, sticks and boots for £50-£60. Quite often the gear was only a season old. Even cheaper stuff was available, too, for the really impecunious! There's some tat of course so you need to be picky but the overall standard for beginners was pretty good and much cheapness!
This year's sale was last week. Check out the club's Facebook photos of the sale here: https://www.facebook.com/493726470704073/photos/pb...
bristolbaron and PurpleTurtle said:
Aldi/Lidl have kids ski gear this week or next, for throwaway stuff will do what it needs to!
Thanks for the heads up! Sounds like a good call.On a different note ... retro all-in-one ski suit or jacket and salopettes for a five-year old?
ETA This looks good and goes to an adequate size: https://www.littleskiers.co.uk/ski-wear/all-in-one...
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 15th November 19:33
Bill said:
Most jackets have snow skirts so you don't get as much snow up them. He'll also be on piste when skiing and the snow's bashed and less fluffy.
I'm just thinking there'll be a lot of falling over and sitting down on the snow, being both a young child and an absolute beginner. I take your point that it's different to playing around in fresh snow in the garden, though.Chris71 said:
I'm just thinking there'll be a lot of falling over and sitting down on the snow, being both a young child and an absolute beginner. I take your point that it's different to playing around in fresh snow in the garden, though.
The snow will be drier (weather conditions dependent) than your back garden, so hopefully less of an issue. I hope they enjoy it.
Chris71 said:
ETA This looks good and goes to an adequate size: https://www.littleskiers.co.uk/ski-wear/all-in-one...
With a lad of a similar age I’d be avoiding all in ones like the plague, lest you get the dreaded “I NEED A POO!” shout with very little notice on mountain. Pull up salopettes with quick release shoulder straps save a lot of aggro on that score, believe me!
Lots on eBay...Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff