Winter is a great time to get outdoors, but when it’s cold the right gear makes all the difference. We’re a skiing and snowboarding family so good winter gear is essential.
The items listed here are what we use every snow day. They’re great winter essentials and would make excellent gifts for the skiers in your life. Rest assured, I only put gear on here that I absolutely love.
Sign up below for a FREE Ski Equipment Checklist from Online Family Ski School – an online course I created with BraveSkiMom.com and KidProject.org. In addition to gear recommendations, you’ll also get weekly tips on how to help your 3-10 year old learn to ski. And did I mention it’s FREE?
Base and Mid Layers for Skiing
Fleece, down, synthetic or wool base and insulating layers are essential for staying warm while skiing. Read How to Dress Kids for Winter Play – Layering here.
Psst…the links below are affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you purchase after clicking these links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Ski socks are tall. They’re designed to come up high on the shin so the sock line doesn’t get in the way of a proper ski boot fit. Darn Tough socks are our favorites because they are super warm and comfy, made in the USA and guaranteed for life.
- Merino wool base layers are the softest, warmest, and best because they maintain body warmth even when wet. If wool isn’t an option in your home, synthetic base layers work well too (and are much cheaper).
- Do NOT wear cotton! Wool, fleece, down or synthetic fabrics can maintain body heat even when wet. Cotton can’t. Read How to Dress Kids for Winter Play – Layering here.
- Fleece kids zip up pajamas work great as mid layers for toddlers as well. Don’t buy more gear if you can use what you already have!
Outerwear for Skiing
While base layers keep you warm while skiing as a family, outer layers are designed to keep you dry. On low humidity, sunny days we often use mid-layer jackets as outerwear, but in wet, heavy snow conditions, a waterproof shell is essential. Read How to Dress Kids for Winter Play – Layering here and it’s companion post How to Dress Kids for Winter Play – Accessories here.
- I love winter but hate the cold, so I’m willing to spend a bit more on high quality, waterproof outerwear. In 2017 Tobe Outerwear sent the kids waterproof snow suits that I LOVE because they truly are weatherproof. But they are pricey at $200-$400 each.
- Again, on wet days or in places with more water content in the snow (Pacific Northwest) you always want a waterproof shell.
- Sometimes you can find great snow pants second hand at thrift stores. Generally they don’t get worn as often as winter coats so they stay in good condition.
Skis for Kids and Adult
You CAN buy skis online, but I don’t, at least not for kids. Instead rent or buy used kids skis from your local ski shop. A ski shop can easily test the size and fit of your kids’ skis, adjust the DIN, wax and repair skis as needed.
Since my kids aren’t racing or doing crazy jumps I was more than happy to choose used skis for them. At the end of the ski season, you can often purchase the skis that shops used all season for daily rentals at a majorly discounted price.
Ski boots for kids are a different story. The ONLY kids ski boot I recommend are Italian-made Roces Idea boots because they expand as your child’s foot grows! They sent us a pair for Big E to try out in 2016 and he’s still wearing them! Buy one pair and use it for multiple seasons. They are incredibly durable, warm, well made, inexpensive and they will last for multiple seasons.
- Buy used kids skis from a local ski shop. Support local. Reuse. Have knowledgable staff find the correct size for your child.
- The ONLY kids ski boots you should ever buy are Roces Idea boots. They expand as your child’s foot grows so you only need one pair for multiple ski seasons. Read my full review of Roces ski boots here.
- Kids (and adults) don’t need poles until they can stop, turn and maintain their speed on easy runs. I never use poles when helping my kids ski, they often just get in the way.
Essential Ski Accessories
To have the best possible experience skiing with kids be sure to have these essential ski accessories. Read more here – How to Dress Kids for Winter Play – Layering and How to Dress Kids for Winter Play – Accessories.
Psst…these are affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission after qualified purchases with no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- If you’re skiing with toddlers and preschoolers this simple tip-to-tip connector, also known as an Edgie Wedgie, will save your sanity. The clips attach to the front of the kids’ skis to help them maintain proper ski position. In my opinion, they are essential for all beginners age six and younger. Read my full Edgie Wedgie review here.
- I keep chapstick and a handkerchief in a zippered pocket in every winter coat in my house. Runny noses and chapped lips beware! I also use a sunscreen stick on faces to prevent ski goggle tans AKA racoon eyes.
- Candy? Yes please. It’s my favorite tool to bribe, I mean teach, my kids to ski.
- Ski harnesses for kids are controversial. If you decide to use one, choose one that attaches at the child’s hips, like the ‘Lil Ripper Gripper I was sent to review. I prefer Slope Ropes for beginners who can make it down the bunny hill without falling repeatedly, but still need help controlling speed. There are fewer straps to worry about, and I can tuck the Slope Ropes away when not in use.
- Babies, toddlers and preschoolers don’t need to use their thumbs. Put them in waterproof Veyo Kids mitts like the ones above that I begged Veyo Kids to review. I love the warmth, waterproofness, and elastic sleeves that keeps snow totally out.
- Hestra gloves and mittens are SO expensive, but they are worth every penny. We’ve purchased four pairs of Hestras for the adults and older kids in our family and we treat them like our coats – they are hung up in the same place after every ski day, and waterproofed every year.
Online Family Ski School
Great gear alone is not enough for a great day skiing with kids. You also need to know what you’re doing. That’s why I created the Online Family Ski School course with BraveSkiMom.com and KidProject.org. This self-paced online course was created by parents for parents and shares games YOU can play with your 3-10 year old to teach them essential skiing technique.
Whether you put your child in on-the-snow lessons or teach them to ski yourself, the videos and printable pdfs in the Online Family Ski School teaches:
- How to teach your kids to support their own body weight, control their speed and stop on skis. No more wet noodle kids!
- Games to play to introduce ski concepts and support skills learned in lessons.
- What to wear to stop all those complaints about cold fingers and toes.
- How to teach your child to turn and stop on skis to safely get down the mountain together.
Not ready to jump into a full online course yet? Then sign up below for a FREE Ski Equipment Checklist. You’ll also get weekly emails with ski tips for families.
I really want to help your family hit the slopes so sign up for weekly ski tips from the Online Family Ski School!
Also, you can find my review of the Best and Worst Ski Training Tools for Kids here and read all my family skiing posts here. See more gear recommendations on my amazon shop page or read more winter gear recommendations here.
See you on the slopes!
~Mountain Mom