 Poster: A snowHead
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We’re going skiing / snowboarding in 5 weeks and just wanted to know what others did as in terms of dressing a 4 yr old for the slopes, this is our first time with the little one so just wanted to seek advice. He will be having lessons so we need to make sure he’s wrapped up warm enough whilst he’s with them and trying to get any hints out of a 4 year old is hard work!
He has technical pants / jackets, thermal base layers, what else does he need up top? I was thinking…thermal base layer, long sleeve jersey and a sweater / hoody?
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Craig G, where will you be? Some places will be colder than others (shade, north-facing) and it can be different on a sunny day than an overcast one.
Layers are the answer, and thin ones. All other things considered, he may be fine with a good base layer, long sleeved top and his jacket. A neck warmer is good, especially first thing or if it's windy, and good gloves are very important. Have at least 2/3 pairs but they don't all have to be expensive - some for playing snowballs etc., which are then taken off to dry and replaced by better quality for his lessons.
Can he have his own backpack to leave in the ski school office? You can put in a spare extra top, hat for when no helmet, gloves etc., as well as some biscuits or chocolate. He'll need good sun cream for snow conditions as well as good sunglasses/goggles or both. Have a look in Aldi this week (Thursday I think) for ski gear that's OK quality and a good price.
May sound obvious, but make sure he's able to get in/out of his jacket and pants easily, to go to the loo
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks for the reply. We're going to Les Gets. Pretty much what I thought really. He's already got sunglasses, goggles and multiple pair of gloves. The ruck sack is a good idea.
We've been through the 'wee' drill with him already 
We're hoping that due to him already having lessons over here will result in little standing around time on the slopes.
Thanks again.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Montana, is right- layers are the answer at least 4, and none should på tiegt. Mitens and liners for hands + helmet and ninja hut.
Do not use gloves use mittens + liners!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Craig G, if he's a complete beginner he will probably be quite active in his lessons - jumping up and down, stepping around, getting up when he falls over, etc. As Montana says, temperatures vary enormously. It might be very cold - especially if there's some wind chill - or it might be comparatively warm and the layers you suggest will be far too hot.
In particular I would avoid a hoodie. If the hood is inside the jacket it will be bunched up and uncomfy, if it's outside it'll get wet and soggy. And you need to avoid any cotton layers which, if they get wet, will be cold and claggy. A thermal base, a thin fleece and his jacket (assuming it's a warm one, not just a shell) will probably be OK unless it's especially cold. Goggles and a helmet, obviously. Definitely a neck warmer.
and a mini-bar of some kind (Mars or similar) in the pocket.
And do lots of tobogganing - that gets them hot very quickly!
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Craig G, don't forget a pair of warm and waterproof snow boots (you can find them for £10 if you shop around). Those, plus slippers for indoors, are all they need if you are packing light.
Light, thin, cheap, fleeces are ideal, off the slopes and off.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Craig G, As pam w, says, he'll need slippers but if - like my sons - he won't wear them, try slipper socks with the little rubber things on the soles. Again, Aldi will have them for a few ££ for a pack of two pairs.
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I believe the wife has already bought some snow boots and he wears slipper socks at home anyway (wooden floors throughout)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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And enjoy the limited time before he overtakes you in skiing ability, speed, etc
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Oh yes, and try to control your lift terror. I thought I'd be a totally chilled out lift-mom, but seeing my boy perched on the edge of a lift, legs swinging & weighted down by his little skis- my nerves were shot!! Much easier bringing other peoples kids on lifts 
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You know it makes sense.
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Who have you got him skiing with? My kids had LGS and they were fab with kids, would take them in for a drink if got too cold. My son is 8 now but gets cold, he has a brilliant Didricksons all in one and he wears thin fleece and merino base layer under. Mitts are great plus a small chocolate bar in his pocket
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Chocolate bar, card with mum & dad's phone numbers, lift pass (if needed) placed somewhere where you, the instructor and the liftie can all see or find it, spare mittens, €10 note for extra hot chocolate, small packet of gummi-bears, 2 packs of tissues, spare pair of underpants just in case, tube of sun cream, sunglasses.
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Poster: A snowHead
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quinton, that's a long list, poor wee thing. I'd put suncream on before he goes off. Goggles on top of helmet. forget the underpants - if he has an accident it will hopefully stay fairly warm till the end of the lesson and how on earth would a 4 year old get his ski boot off, climb out of his (wet or worse) trousers, discard old underpants, put on new ones, put the (yuk) ski pants back on, and finally put ski boots on what would probably be wet, and possibly piddly, feet.
I'd forget the gummi bears too. Rule 5. And he has a choc bar, for goodness sake.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
Chocolate bar, card with mum & dad's phone numbers, lift pass (if needed) placed somewhere where you, the instructor and the liftie can all see or find it, spare mittens, €10 note for extra hot chocolate,
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This.
No need to go overboard, he'll have grown out of everything by next season and it's not like he's ever going to be more than 100m from a mountain hut with hot chocolate. Unless it's unusually cold (and assuming an insulate ski jacket) then a normal tshirt and fleece will be fine. Maybe jogging trousers or something on his legs if it's below -10.
I don't about in the UK, but H&M over here have decent kids salopettes, jackets and fleeces.
Don't scrimp on gloves or goggles though.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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that's a long list, poor wee thing. I'd put suncream on before he goes off. Goggles on top of helmet. forget the underpants - if he has an accident it will hopefully stay fairly warm till the end of the lesson and how on earth would a 4 year old get his ski boot off, climb out of his (wet or worse) trousers, discard old underpants, put on new ones, put the (yuk) ski pants back on, and finally put ski boots on what would probably be wet, and possibly piddly, feet.
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I was assuming that he'd be in ski school all day (he would be in Austria) but as I can see the OP is off to Les Gets, perhaps the lessons there are only a couple of hours. Even so, you'd be surprised how much water comes out of both ends of a 4 year old - and how many parents assume that the instructor will sort it all out and deliver their little angel back to them in pristine condition.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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quinton, yes, lessons will only be a couple of hours. I wouldn't be surprised at anything that came out of a 4 year old, believe me. I have found 2 hour lessons ample for little ones.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Dressing a 4 year old for the slopes? . . . bin-bag and builders foam 
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FAQ
sounds about right. I would have a selection of layers so you can add to or subtract as the temperature dictates. We always found lighter, thinner stuff better than heavier jumpers as you don't want the little one stuffed up like the Michelin man and unable to move easily 
