What do your children need for Skiing and Lapland?
The right equipment can make all the difference to a snow based holiday - but what do you really need? Here's our handy guide to making the most of every minute while you're away.
Babies (0-18 Months)
On holiday your baby is in and out of doors, spending short spells in the snow garden. Outdoor clothes should be easy to get on and off, otherwise you'll spend a lot of time getting them dressed instead of having fun. Look for full length zips that go all the way from neck to nappy and mittens that open from fingertips to wrist.
Warm clothes are important because your baby doesn't move around much and can quickly get chilled. Wind chill can rapidly lower their body temperature, especially if you take you babyfor a ride in a cable car - it can be very windy at the top of the mountain.
Layers are brilliant for babies. You can put a cosy fleece over normal day clothes to maintain an even body temperature and just add a waterproof All-In-One when you go outdoors. Tiny hands and feet are very vulnerable to cold, so take a hat, waterproof booties and mittens.
Babies' eyes are particularly sensitive to sunlight, especially near the snow where the whiteness intensifies harmful UV rays. Make sure you've got good quality sun shades thar are especially made to fit a baby's small head and won't fall off.
Suggested Babies Kit List
Toddlers (12 - 36 months)
Once your child starts walking they spend a lot of time playing in the snow and tumbling off their toboggan. Toddlers love to make ‘snow angels’ by lying down in the snow and moving their arms and legs to make the shape of an angel and they also like making snowmen.
Because they’re in contact with the snow a lot of the time, it’s vital that their outer clothes and their mitts are waterproof (not just water resistant) otherwise the snow quickly melts and cold water seeps inside.
This age group needs purpose-made waterproof warm clothes. Separate salopettes and ski jacket are easier than a one-piece suit for trips to the toilet. Keep gaps covered with wrist cosies and a balaclava or a pull-on neck chube which is safer than a scarf and takes up less room.
Hats are important because little ones lose heat quickly from the head. Feet can also get cold very quickly so they need good socks and warm, insulated, waterproof boots.
Sunlight is stronger near snow, so it’s vital to protect young eyes with good quality lenses that are specially designed for small faces with lenses that block all harmful UV rays and shade at the side as well as the front of their eyes.
Suggested Toddlers Kit List
First Time Skiers & Snowboarders (from 3 years)
When children start ski lessons they fall over a lot, so they need waterproof ski clothes and chubes for their neck and wrists to stop snow and draughts getting in. Mitts are warmer than gloves and easier to put on.
At the beginning, there’s a lot of waiting about in the cold, so young kids can get chilled quickly. Today’s high-tech thermal base layers and fleecy mid-layers are exceptionally warm and comfortable. A thin balaclava protects their face and neck and fi ts under a helmet. They also spend a lot of time in the resort not skiing, so a good pair of thermal boots will help them enjoy every moment.
Many ski resorts insist that children wear helmets, so you’ll need goggles to fit over the helmet and sunglasses for when they’re not skiing.
Suggested First Time Skiers & Snowboarders Kit List
Confident Skiers & Snowboarders (from 5 years)
When your child has had a few lessons they soon progress to the bigger slopes. Now they’re skiing properly they use up a lot of energy and often get too hot. However they can cool down again just as fast and when the wind gets up on a chair lift they feel frozen in minutes.
Wearing layers lets them peel off or add more as they need. Base layers made from natural merino wool are warm, thin and excellent insulation to maintain an even temperature.
At this stage, your child could be out on the slopes all day. They need proper waterproof ski clothing with high-spec insulation and pockets to hold their gloves, balaclava, ski pass, tissues, sun screen and mobile phone. It’s also handy to have a small, waterproof backpack for a packed lunch, bottle of water and spare layers.
Give them gloves instead of mitts as it’s easier for them to unzip their jacket and get their hand into the loops of their ski poles. Glove liners add extra warmth. Thick socks are useful, as rented boots are rarely a perfect fit.
Your child should also have waterproof boots for going out in the snow after skiing. Good quality goggles are vital to protect their developing eyes, as they’ll be higher up the mountain where the sun is more brilliant. Sunglasses are ideal for after skiing, but it’s not safe to wear them with a helmet
Suggested Confident Skiers & Snowboarders Kit List
Lapland (all ages)
In Lapland the temperature can fall as low as minus 30°C. On a typical holiday you whiz through the snow to meet Santa on a sled pulled by dogs, reindeer or skidoo. These rides are thrilling, but the wind chill can make your child’s face freeze, so take a balaclava to help protect their face from the biting wind.
When you arrive at the resort your travel company will provide your child with a padded snowsuit, however don't forget that there may be some time spent in extremely cold conditions on your way from the airport to the resort so make sure your children arrive with thermal snowboots, fleece base layers, warm fleece mid layers, gloves, hat and a warm, waterproof jacket. These can be put on or removed as needed to adjust to the weather conditions. It is also advisable to take neck chubes and wrist cosies to help stop draughts at the neck and cuffs if the provided snowsuit is not a perfect fit.
Make sure that gloves or mitts are waterproof so that your child can make snowmen without their hands getting wet and cold. Remember that it’s only daylight for a few hours each day in the winter, so a mini-torch might come in handy.
Suggested Lapland Kit List