Any advice on buying ski gear for kids?
Discussion
We have 3 kids so have been able to flow down the kit which has been good and cost effective (even though it was Decathalon).
In addition we share our kit with friends and family plus vice Versa as we never go at the same time or the sizes are in-between our kids so used elsewhere.
Another place to look is the charity shops too
In addition we share our kit with friends and family plus vice Versa as we never go at the same time or the sizes are in-between our kids so used elsewhere.
Another place to look is the charity shops too
About 4 yrs ago, I bought our kids a Didrikson all-in-one each. They were a bit of an investment at £60 ish each, but have turned out to be brilliant bits of kit (keeping them warm and dry) with some great functional details. I'd say getting an all in one is much better for the kids when they are small as it lets them roll around in the snow (and they will want to do a lot of this!) keeping the snow out.
Theyve changed a little bit but you can buy them here:
https://www.cozymole.co.uk/waterproof-all-in-ones-...
They've lasted 4 years worth of trips, and when it snows at home. They come fitting large, and have good waist adjusters so they fit well around the body. Then when they get too large for them. you can extend the legs and arms an inch or two by undoing a few stitches.
Well worth it, and no complaints with getting cold, they usually wear a t-shirt, base layer (from sportsdirect, 2-4-1 I think) and fleece jacket underneath and were perfectly toasty in the mountains when it was pretty cold.
My eldest is too big for hers now but has passed hers down to my son so may get a further year or two from that suit. She'll probably get a jacket and salopettes when we next go skiing though as she's big enough to look after herself.
For accessories, we picked up a couple of pairs of mittens each, then latterly gloves from Decathlon for both of them in case we needed to switch over to dry ones during the day, this was useful!
Rented helmets from the ski hire shop keep thjeir heads warm during the day, hats we already had.
A fleece muff around the neck is a useful addition too, adn I got these with Goggles/Glasses and socks from Mountain Warehouse on one of their 2-4-1 deals.
Initially I got them some cheap snow boots online for apres-ski, but latterly have just used wellies, and they seem just as happy in them.
Theyve changed a little bit but you can buy them here:
https://www.cozymole.co.uk/waterproof-all-in-ones-...
They've lasted 4 years worth of trips, and when it snows at home. They come fitting large, and have good waist adjusters so they fit well around the body. Then when they get too large for them. you can extend the legs and arms an inch or two by undoing a few stitches.
Well worth it, and no complaints with getting cold, they usually wear a t-shirt, base layer (from sportsdirect, 2-4-1 I think) and fleece jacket underneath and were perfectly toasty in the mountains when it was pretty cold.
My eldest is too big for hers now but has passed hers down to my son so may get a further year or two from that suit. She'll probably get a jacket and salopettes when we next go skiing though as she's big enough to look after herself.
For accessories, we picked up a couple of pairs of mittens each, then latterly gloves from Decathlon for both of them in case we needed to switch over to dry ones during the day, this was useful!
Rented helmets from the ski hire shop keep thjeir heads warm during the day, hats we already had.
A fleece muff around the neck is a useful addition too, adn I got these with Goggles/Glasses and socks from Mountain Warehouse on one of their 2-4-1 deals.
Initially I got them some cheap snow boots online for apres-ski, but latterly have just used wellies, and they seem just as happy in them.
Edited by prand on Tuesday 3rd December 13:31
Thanks and yeah - I'm getting seriously itchy feet this year as we're saving up for some work on the house and not planning to go skiing this winter (then again I always get the urge as soon as the snow reports start coming in).
I've really enjoyed skiing with the kids so far, it was only a couple of trips from age 4/5 onwards before they could capably get up the chair lifts and down blue runs. Sure, its not 6 days of hardcore adventure skiing, but I could still do my "grown-up ski-ing" in the mornings while they are in lessons, and ski the afternoon as a whole family. That pace of holiday suits me fine, as it's a relaxing family holiday, and it's pleasing the children enjoy it and always want to return.
I've really enjoyed skiing with the kids so far, it was only a couple of trips from age 4/5 onwards before they could capably get up the chair lifts and down blue runs. Sure, its not 6 days of hardcore adventure skiing, but I could still do my "grown-up ski-ing" in the mornings while they are in lessons, and ski the afternoon as a whole family. That pace of holiday suits me fine, as it's a relaxing family holiday, and it's pleasing the children enjoy it and always want to return.
If you sign up to SportPursuit - they often have a lot of outdoor and kids ski gear (plus a lot of adult stuff that can be tempting...) Not always Decathlon bargains but you can pick up some good odds & ends.
https://www.sportpursuit.com/
https://www.sportpursuit.com/
EddieSteadyGo said:
prand said:
Nice pictures! At the end of the day, that's what we do it for - taking our children skiing and to play in the snow is such a magical experience!Chris71 said:
Alas, we're in the depths of rural Somerset, so the nearest Decathalon is an hour and a half away and posh charity shops are pretty sparse. We are about to head off to Aldi, though.
Any reason why you cannot do mail order on Decathalon (simple to return if they are the wrong size). Chris71 said:
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...
My nephew who lives in Andermatt Switzerland has a couple of the Didrikson snowsuits, not sure the exact model. They last at least a couple of seasons as they have extendable arms and legs. They are good enough for him to use on a daily basis without complaint from the age of 3, he's now 4 and a half.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
MyM2006 said:
Chris71 said:
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...
My nephew who lives in Andermatt Switzerland has a couple of the Didrikson snowsuits, not sure the exact model. They last at least a couple of seasons as they have extendable arms and legs. They are good enough for him to use on a daily basis without complaint from the age of 3, he's now 4 and a half.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
£95.00
https://www.littleskiers.co.uk/ski-wear/all-in-one...
vs
£69.95
https://www.cozymole.co.uk/waterproof-all-in-ones-...
I think Didriksson do a PolarBjornen (Bjornen is bear in Swedish
) version which is extra padded for very cold conditions, and subsequently more expensive, but we've been in pretty cold conditions skiiing (less than -10??) and not had any cold issues with the kids.Welshbeef said:
Chris71 said:
Alas, we're in the depths of rural Somerset, so the nearest Decathalon is an hour and a half away and posh charity shops are pretty sparse. We are about to head off to Aldi, though.
Any reason why you cannot do mail order on Decathalon (simple to return if they are the wrong size). We went and bought a job lot of stuff from Aldi, including a jacket and salopettes, but I'm thinking we'll need at least two of most things, so I might get one of the Didriksons snowsuits too.
In the meantime my son - who used to nag me to put on PoV skiing videos on YouTube - has suddenly decided that he's afraid to try skiing. I'm suddenly worrying that it could be a long week! Any tips to avoid a meltdown (him or me!) would be appreciated.
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 20th November 16:49
You definitely don't need 2 of everything.
An extra pair of gloves / mitts is always handy in the afternoon, but one coat and one pair of salopettes will be fine. Stuff dries overnight.
If you do want extra stuff secondhand on Ebay is the way to go. There are sooo many families who go skiing once, or buy brand new stuff only for the kids to outgrow it before they go again. You can buy £150 kids ski jackets for £20 that have been warn a couple of times. Spend £5 on goretex wash and you're on a winner.
My two started at 6 & 7 and we bought them adjustable helmets from Decathlon, that 4 years later still fit, so were a great investment.
One of these has proved very handy when with the kids https://www.skiweb.uk.com/product-category/ski-sno...
Use it for carrying you own skis, cos I guarantee you'll be carrying 3 sets of skis on multiple occasions.
I know you've not asked this but get them going at a snowdome before you go it will make a huge difference. We put ours into a half term camp at our local one, 9am to 5pm for 5 days in the school holidays and they were able to put their own boots and skis on and were coming down Reds on their first day in resort. Made a massive difference to the first holiday and meant we could all ski together.
An extra pair of gloves / mitts is always handy in the afternoon, but one coat and one pair of salopettes will be fine. Stuff dries overnight.
If you do want extra stuff secondhand on Ebay is the way to go. There are sooo many families who go skiing once, or buy brand new stuff only for the kids to outgrow it before they go again. You can buy £150 kids ski jackets for £20 that have been warn a couple of times. Spend £5 on goretex wash and you're on a winner.
My two started at 6 & 7 and we bought them adjustable helmets from Decathlon, that 4 years later still fit, so were a great investment.
One of these has proved very handy when with the kids https://www.skiweb.uk.com/product-category/ski-sno...
Use it for carrying you own skis, cos I guarantee you'll be carrying 3 sets of skis on multiple occasions.
I know you've not asked this but get them going at a snowdome before you go it will make a huge difference. We put ours into a half term camp at our local one, 9am to 5pm for 5 days in the school holidays and they were able to put their own boots and skis on and were coming down Reds on their first day in resort. Made a massive difference to the first holiday and meant we could all ski together.
ThorB said:
I know you've not asked this but get them going at a snowdome before you go it will make a huge difference. We put ours into a half term camp at our local one, 9am to 5pm for 5 days in the school holidays and they were able to put their own boots and skis on and were coming down Reds on their first day in resort. Made a massive difference to the first holiday and meant we could all ski together.
I was wondering about that.We're about an hour away from the nearest dry slope and two or three hours away from a snow dome. I'm slightly fearful that a one-hour session on Dendix somewhere could do more harm than good. Certainly hurts more if you fall over.
Chris71 said:
ThorB said:
I know you've not asked this but get them going at a snowdome before you go it will make a huge difference. We put ours into a half term camp at our local one, 9am to 5pm for 5 days in the school holidays and they were able to put their own boots and skis on and were coming down Reds on their first day in resort. Made a massive difference to the first holiday and meant we could all ski together.
I was wondering about that.We're about an hour away from the nearest dry slope and two or three hours away from a snow dome. I'm slightly fearful that a one-hour session on Dendix somewhere could do more harm than good. Certainly hurts more if you fall over.
Maybe try and get a couple of visits to the snowdome in before you go, mixed with playtime in the snow - ours has slides and a kids play area for messing about in. If not, it won't be a massive issue, they'll pick it when they get to resort. A 6 hour round trip doesn't sound that appealing.
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