Favorite Children’s Snow Gear
Your children will only be happy if they are warm (and well-fed) on the mountain. There are some brands (such as Land’s End or L.L. Bean) that have been around forever and are still offering some excellent gear, and some new entrants to ski gear that have earned their place on this list.
Below are tried and true options we recommend to keep kids warm, dry, and ready to crisscross the slopes.
Gloves and Mittens
Gloves are table stakes for anything outside - whether that may be skiing double blacks or throwing snowballs in your driveway. Many gloves come with elastic loops to put around your child’s wrist so if the glove or mitten comes off, it will dangle from their wrist (and not drop off the lift, get left behind at lunch, etc.). We recommend you buy one $50 pair at the get-go instead of buying several $20 pairs that end up not being warm enough. Some notable ones are Burton Gore-Tex, MCTI, and Stonz.
Socks
A good ski sock will provide warmth, blister prevention, and wick away dampness from either sweat or snow that sneaks in. You might be tempted to skimp on thick socks if you’re just starting out, but investing in good socks on day one will be invaluable. Never wear cotton socks as they will be very uncomfortable if they get wet - go for merino wool and/or synthetic fibers. Also, don’t wear more than one pair as they could lead to friction and painful feet; good ski socks are designed to be worn one pair at a time. We have found Smartwool socks are by far the best for keeping tiny toes warm in winter boots or ski boots, but you might want to check out Darn Tough too.
Long Johns, Long Underwear or Insulated leggings
A base layer on cold or windy days will make all the difference. Merino wool is a lightweight fabric that is super warm and great at moisture-wicking. The Helly Hansen Merino Wool 2-layer base layer set has some cute color block options in a variety of colorways for both girls and boys. Smartwool has some fun prints for maximum warmth, or you can find great options from toddlers to teens can be found at L.L. Bean, too.
Ski suit or ski bib/pants and jacket
Depending on the age and stage of your child, a ski suit (like the Helly Hanson unisex suit or Columbia ski suit) is great - it will keep the most snow out during falls as there isn’t a gap in snow protection between the pants and jacket. As children get older, they may prefer a ski bib or pants. Columbia has a wide-range of warm and durable ski bibs, ski pants and jackets that will last through several of your children without any issues. You really can’t go wrong with Columbia, Helly Hansen, or L.L. Bean - they have consistently outperformed others we’ve tried (and we’d recommend buying these brands second-hand too).
Head/neck layer
If you buy one new thing off this list, we highly recommend it being a balaclava hood and face mask. It is thin and lightweight, and easily slides under your child’s helmet. It can really help on a windy/cold day to keep your child’s neck toasty. The front can be pulled up over the mouth and can prevent wind from chapping their faces when racing down the mountain. You may be tempted to get something thicker and fleecy, but that can interfere with the safety of their helmet. If you are looking for additional warmth, you can pair the balaclava with a fleece neck warmer.
Cute Ski Clothing