If you are planning to travel in the half term to the Alps, for sure you are now pretty prepared. Here I want to show you a couple of things that will make your family half term ski holiday easier, more if travelling with younger kids. They can help you while trying to drag your kids from the parking lot to the lifts and make your family ski experience easier.
I know that getting young kids in the slopes is difficult. Most of the people that do this, is because they are skiers or boarders themselves (all that new generation of boarders is thanks to their parents starting the sport some years ago, which keeps the sport alive!)
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If so, you already go skiing, and you know how to pack! But sometimes, we forget what it was skiing when young, more, because one had not dealt with any of the preparations.
Here are some things that might help your next family ski trip to the mountains:
Warm hats – Always, remember to have a couple of warm hats. Even though kids need to use helmets by law (at least in all places I know), in very cold days, you can put a beanie that is not bulky under the hat to keep their heads warm.
And it never hurts having a couple of hats just in case your kid decides to roll on the snow in the afternoon and you need to get their little heads warm for venturing out for dinner.
These Merino and polyester hats of Danish Endurance have a good shape for
under helmets for kids (one size only)
Here you have the same brand for adults
Gloves or Mittens?
Personally, for kids I prefer mittens, as they can have their hands warmer inside them. Kids only need to grab a pole with their hand, and that can be done with a mitten. But some people prefer gloves. I use gloves myself, but I use an XL men’s gloves (when I could use a M women’s). This is so I can put them on and off quickly when on the chairlift. I like that on cold days, I can have my fingers inside the main part of the glove, and I do not get that cold. I still can grab the poles, so that works fine for me!
Gloves for kids: The Mountain Warehouse ski gloves for kids are pretty good and economical for your kids.
Here is pair of ski gloves from Trespass which is also a good economical brand to kit your kid to go skiing – these ones are for older kids.
Thermals: It is very important to keep your kids warm. Always put them layers. The bottom one should be a thermal- these compression thermals of Hoplynn do the job.
Ski socks: These thermal ski socks with 30% Merino can be very good for your kids’ feet, to keep them warm.
Goggles. Goggles are easiest to use for kids, as they can be strapped to the helmet and attached so they do not fall, plus they protect your kid’s eyesight. A good introductory pair of goggles can be this Findway with antifog, UV protection and double lens.
Kids sunglasses- when kids are very young, I’ve found that baby sunglasses work well. They have an adjustable strap to keep the glasses on your child’s head plus they make your kid look adorable!
Skis carrier straps– for sure you’ll finish carrying your skis and your kid’s skis, and you will need to have your hands free. These shoulder straps are great for carrying skis. I vouch for them as they got me from the parking lot to the lift and back when I would have not otherwise!
This is a little attachment you put to the tip of your child’s skis to help them not to cross the ski tips when they are learning. These are only good for young kids, as they have no strength in their legs. Older kids would break out of them, so I do not recommend for that. You can buy them alone, or with a package that includes a slope rope. This is good if you want to take your kid skiing down an easy slope. You put it around your kid’s waist and then they can ski down but you are maintaining their speed. These Edgy Wedgie are the original ones I’ve bought when my kids were young.
Kids training harness. I had a couple for my kids, and it was very good to have them to get them on and off the chairlift, and up when they fall on the snow. They have a handle which you can just grab and pick them up! And as they have a small backpack included, maybe you can put some things that your kid can carry for himself as well!
Earmuffs – for those kids that suffer the cold, maybe is good to have a pair of warm ear muffs like these ones of Zeltauto, to go outside when not skiing.
Suncream– never forget to carry suncream. You need to reapply during the day, so carry it with you on your backpack.
Lips moisturiser with SPF protection– it is as important as suncream. These ones of Uvistat will have you covered. 
Lips sun care with SPF 50. Get yours here.Hand warmers– Hand warmers can save your day. For those bitterly cold days, you can put one on each of your kids’ gloves (and also on yours), and they heat up for up to 12 hours. I don’t tend to use them but love to have them if it is very cold!
With all these things, you can rest assured that at least, your kid will not be cold. If they like skiing or not, that will depend on their character, and their ski or snowboard lessons, but usually kids finish loving skiing, and these are holidays you will enjoy every time!
For having a bit more upscale brands with good rates, maybe try this shop- Sportpursuit. They have older products of well renown brands. I always buy my merino tops from there at a great rate! Try Sportpursuit for great deals on big brands!
The site will ask you to register, I did it before with some social media. A bit of a pain, but that is how it works. It does have, however, great deals on good brands!
I do hope taking your kids to ski or snowboard really pays off for you and have many years of happy memories ahead in the mountains!
Start planning your next trip!
If looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check the direct booking for Il Coure della Valdigne here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using.
Il Cuore della Valdigne. Book your lodging directly with me here.Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.
If you prefer, you can also book my apartment through Booking.com
Booking might be cheaper if you have Genius status!
Check my Mountain Art on my Shop
You can go to my shop and see what have been inspiring me lately, lots mountain landscapes in soft pastels, and now in oils too. Go here to check my latest works!
If interested in me doing a special commission for you, let’s talk!
Needing help to get contacts in the ski tourism business– I am offering new consulting services- contact me here.
Featured Image: Enrique relaxing after a ski class in Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Photo: The-Ski-Guru
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