Like us, children need to be well protected to get the most out of their skiing days. Follow our guide to choosing their ski clothing.
While discovering snow is a magical experience, to ensure that everything goes smoothly for future riders, always opt for comfortable and warm clothing. With the whole family properly equipped, everyone can enjoy the pleasures of the snow-covered mountains in winter!
When children are having fun, they sometimes forget to say they are cold. To keep them warm and allow them to move freely, there is no need to layer them up like an onion. For winter sports, we recommend the 3-layer rule: base layer, fleece and jacket.
Layer 1: ski underwear
Worn next to the skin, this first layer of clothing will keep your child warm and comfortable while allowing them freedom of movement. This layer also wicks away perspiration to keep the body dry.
Layer 2: the under-jacket, jumper or ski fleece
This layer traps warm air around the body to keep your daughter or son comfortable on the ski slopes. You can adjust it by adding or removing layers depending on how the temperature changes throughout the day.
Layer 3: ski jacket and ski trousers
This final layer is waterproof and breathable, protecting you from the elements and wind. Jackets and trousers are available in a range of colours, sizes and technical fabrics, and some even feature clever design details that allow them to grow with your children.
The extremities of the body are the most exposed parts, so it is important to cover them. Gloves, hats, and warm après-ski boots are essential to keep them warm! Wool or synthetic materials—the choice is yours, depending on the weather and your children's preferences.
The head
Wearing a helmet is obviously essential for your children's safety. In addition to its main protective function, it will insulate them from the cold. However, if they need extra warmth, you can provide a balaclava to wear under the helmet, which will absorb perspiration (make sure this extra layer is very thin so that it does not interfere with the helmet in the event of an impact).
And when your little athletes get too hot, opt for a ski helmet with ventilation. The body always warms the head to protect the brain, so it is important to cover our children's heads to prevent heat loss.
The hands
When it is cold, the body sends less blood to the extremities in order to concentrate it on the vital organs. Ski mittens are often warmer for your children's hands, but older children will prefer ski gloves, which are more practical. You can combine them with under-gloves to keep hands even warmer in very cold weather or for children who feel the cold easily.
The feet
To protect their feet, the choice of ski socks will depend on how sensitive they are to the cold, but in any case, be sure to choose socks designed specifically for skiing, as everyday socks will never be as good as technical socks designed for sliding on snow! It is important that they are breathable so as not to trap moisture. Their boots and socks should fit well. If they are too big, they will let the cold in, and if they are too small, they will compress the foot and restrict circulation.
To stay warm, you need clothing that wicks away perspiration, otherwise moisture builds up and the cold sets in... and won't let go. When you know how active your little champions are, it's clear that breathability is at least as important as warmth. Clothing can be breathable thanks to two things:
1. A breathable technical fabric : today's children's ski clothing is all made from technical fabrics that offer different functions such as protection, breathability, wind resistance, waterproofing, etc. Everyday clothing does not have the same technical specifications as sportswear and may therefore spoil your little ones' experience on the snow.
2. Ventilation : third layers, which are designed to protect against the elements and therefore be waterproof, are usually equipped with ventilation to avoid the sauna effect. Under the arms for jackets, in the crotch for trousers, even helmets and goggles have ventilation! The key is to know how to use them correctly: open during exercise, closed during more static moments or in case of strong wind, snowstorms, shooting stars, etc.
You've opted for a snowsuit to make it easy to dress your baby for your stay in the snow. Simpler than a jacket and ski trousers combo for toddlers, the snowsuit provides good insulation in all circumstances thanks to its fleece lining and wadding. And of course, it's very practical for nappy changes on the slopes with its full-length zip.
Depending on the weather conditions and your preferences, you have two options for dressing your baby underneath it:
Choose a fleece snowsuit that will keep your baby comfortable.
Buy a set of breathable underwear (T-shirt and tights).
Being both insulating and waterproof, the ski snowsuit acts as layers 2 and 3.
Because we are parents too and understand the logistics involved in taking young children skiing, we have developed numerous clever features in our outfits to make life easier for children and their parents! Some outfits feature zips to attach the bottom of the jacket to the trousers and the ends of the sleeves to the mittens, guaranteeing no snow will get in! And to ensure the outfits last for several winters, all our children's ski outfits feature a double size system. You'll find this feature, called Pull'n'Fit, on our jackets, trousers, snowsuits and even our underwear.
If you want to find out more, take a look at our advice: how to dress baby properly for winter
Your children are now warm, dry and comfortable in their outfits! Boys and girls are ready to hit the slopes and enjoy the joys of skiing, safely and in all weathers. Enjoy it while you can: soon you won't be able to keep up with them...
Warm, dry, comfortable in their clothes, your children are ready to hit the slopes safely and in all weather conditions. Soon you will no longer be able to follow them ...
Hiking in summer, skiing in winter... High altitude all year round!