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Going on a snow trip with kids is an exciting, fun experience for the whole family!
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ToggleIf your child or children are old enough to talk undoubtedly all they have been talking about is playing in the snow ALL. DAY. LONG. Which is great, but it brings on a new set of winter vacation challenges…like how to protect your child from the cold weather. No one wants to be sitting in the ER with a case of frostbite from lack of proper snow gear.
When Aiden requested that we take a snow trip, I immediately started planning our ski trip and set out to find the best snow gear for kids and did a lot of research on how to dress kids for a snow-filled vacation.
Not only was I stuck between Utah & Colorado for our trip, but I was also overwhelmed with all the options for kids. I had no idea so many layers were involved! Did I go with a one-piece children’s snowsuit, or did I go for the two-piece suit with snow bib and ski / snow pants? Was I picking the right first and second layers? Would a pair of long johns and fleece PJs keep the chilly winter weather out?
Kids Snow Gear: 10 Things To Pack For A Snow Trip With Kids
How To Prepare For A Snow Trip
Plan your snow trip (see my tips below):
First things first, you’ll need to plan your snow trip. This includes deciding on your destination, your accommodations, and what winter activities you plan to participate in. For my best tips on how to plan the perfect winter wonderland family vacation, see father down!
Winterize your vehicle:
If you’re living the RV life like us, you might be driving to your winter destination. If so, it’s essential to winterize your vehicle before taking off towards cold, and possibly snowy and icy, weather. Otherwise, you could find yourself cold, without water, or stranded. No, thank you! Here’s a comprehensive list of ways to winterize your RV, which will set you on the right track for a winter full of adventure.
Talk about cold weather safety as a family:
Extreme cold weather is inherently dangerous. Especially when it comes to outdoor activities in the snow. To protect yourself and your family from the risks of cold weather – hypothermia, avalanches, frozen lakes, and more – talk about cold weather safety as a family. Discuss the importance of keeping warm, and how to avoid getting caught out in the cold.
Pack for cold weather and snow:
And lastly, pack for cold weather to ensure everyone stays warm and comfortable all vacation long. See my tips for packing for a snow trip with kids next!
10 Things To Pack For A Snow Trip With Kids
The amount of options for kids’ winter gear is just insane, and since we don’t typically RV in a snowy climate I didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on kids’ snow gear that he would most definitely outgrow before the next winter. So, the big questions for me was..
Where can I buy cheap snow gear that will keep my child warm!?
With so many layers to buy to ensure Aiden was appropriately dressed for snow, finding a good deal on winter gear was a must! I was a little wary about purchasing cheap snow clothes, I didn’t want to sacrifice quality and leave my baby shivering all day long in crummy snow gear.
After some extensive shopping, and research I found that Amazon had the best cheap kids’ snow gear without sacrificing overall quality. I felt confident that I was making the right purchasing decision at the time and it turned out that I was right.
He was warm and toasty for our entire ski trip to Winter Park, Colorado and we had so much fun on that trip we decided to do another at Deer Valley Ski Resort in Utah. Both trips went wonderfully, and everyone staying warm and happy thanks to the snow gear!
Below I have listed out exactly what I bought and packed for our trip to help you get started creating your kids’ snow trip packing list.
How To Dress Kids For Snow
Prior to putting a snowsuit on your child, it is ideal that they wear two upper layers of clothing such as long sleeve underwear, a turtle neck, or a fleece top; and one bottom layer such as long underwear bottoms.
How many layers does a child need to wear for snow play?
There are 3 recommended layers when heading out for snow play; a base layer, a middle layer, and a final outer layer. The base layer is to wick moisture away, the middle layer to insulate warmth and the final layer is to offer warmth as well as moisture and wind protection. If you feel that your kid is too warm, you can always take off one layer.
What type of material should I layer my child in for winter weather?
The best materials to look for are wool and synthetics, over garments made with cotton, especially when purchasing base layers and socks.
Double-check that their outerwear is waterproof and not water-resistant, and bright-colored so it’s easy to spot them in snowy conditions.
Extra tips for taking your child on a snow trip!
Don’t forget to pack an extra set of waterproof gloves or mittens, hats, and neck warmer just in case one gets lost.
Lip balm, sunscreen, and sunglasses or ski goggles will also come in very handy.
Best Snow Gear For Kids
Below Is What I Purchased For Aiden. Clicking each image or link will take you to the item, I purchased. (I’ve also included links for the girl’s version of what I got for him)
1. First Layer of Winter Gear
Most people go for long underwear, or “long johns” as the first layer of clothing to wear under a snowsuit. Not only does it insulate, but it also helps keep moisture under control and prevents sweat build-up.
As far as snow gear for kids goes it’s pretty much a staple and “non-negotiable”. Over the years-long underwear has really stepped up, with fun patterns and a variety of colors that makes wearing them fun and exciting!
Long Sleeve Underwear Set [Boys / Girls]
2. Second Layer of Gear
Fleece Pajamas [Boys / Girls ]
If you don’t want to get fleece pajamas, you can always just get a turtle neck or fleece-lined sweater and pair it with a lightweight, comfortable and easy to move around in fleece bottoms.
Turtleneck or Fleece Sweater [Boys / Girls]
3. Third & Final Layer For A Fun-Filled Warm Day of Paying in the Snow!
Snow Suit: [Boys Snow Suit / Boys Snow Mobile] [Girls Snow Suit / Girls Snow Mobile]
I purchased 2 snowsuits (snowsuit with snow bib and a snowmobile} for Aiden because I wasn’t sure which one would work best. If you have kids who are potty training, make sure to pick a snowsuit wisely,
What size snowsuit should I buy?
When decided what size snowsuit to buy for your child keep in mind all the extra layers they will be wearing underneath. Going up a size or two is recommended, you don’t want the suit to be too baggy though or it won’t keep in heat as well.
4. Wool Socks [Boys / Girls]
Wool socks are a must-have item to include on your ski trip packing list. Traditional, cotton socks just aren’t going to cut it all day out in the snow. Wool socks will keep your little ones’ feet nice and toasty inside their snow boots. You don’t want your kids’ toes to freeze!
5. Snowboots
Make sure that you try on their winter boots with their socks so that you know the right size to get. Make sure their snow boots are not too big or too small.
When ordering snow gear online make sure you give yourself enough time to ensure your child can try on clothes and shoes, and return them and order a different size if necessary. Typically, with snow boots, you will want to order a size and a half to a size larger than normal tennis shoe size depending on the thickness of the wool socks you purchase.
6. Gloves or Mittens
You will need waterproof gloves/mittens that are easy to put on and stay on. We opted out of using gloves just because it was a hassle trying to get each finger in the right place.
Depending on the different types of snow-related activities you are going to be doing with your child should be a deciding factor on if you choose gloves or mittens.
7. Hat & Scarf
In order to eliminate too many pieces, it’s easier to have the hat and scarf together such as the one-piece or a tube-type scarf that will stay one and doesn’t need to be fixed during play. If your kids will be participating in snow sports, then they will need to wear a helmet and I highly suggest a balaclava under the helmet to keep them warm.
8. Ski Goggles
Even though it’s cold out, it could be sunny too. And this really helps so that snow doesn’t get into the eyes during snow play activities like snow tubing and even skiing.
Snow also can have a harsh glare and affect your child’s ability to see properly. In extreme cases, it can cause something called “snow blindness”. Even if you don’t go with a traditional sky mask it’s smart to add some sunglasses to your snow gear checklist!
9. Lip Balm
The cold weather is well-known to cause dry chapped lips, so make sure you keep this on you at all times. Keep one in your kids pocket too.
10. Hand & Foot Warmers
This isn’t a must-have, but why not? Especially if you aren’t used to cold weather. Hand warmers take just a few minutes to activate so keep that in mind.
Optional Item: Swim Suit / Swim Trunks – Most resorts have a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool as well as a hot tub. After a long day in the snow, there’s nothing better than a heated pool. So make sure to double-check the amenities your resort offers and pack accordingly!!!
Tell me, what do you pack when you take your kids on a snow trip?
Booking Your Snow Trip – Tips & Tricks
How To Book Cheap Flights When You Travel
If you are looking to book the cheapest flights you can possibly find on the internet, then make sure to use Skyscanner when searching for flights. Don’t forget to download the Free Skyscanner App also which is very handy. This is how I was able to get $12.40 airfare from Los Angeles to London, as well as $9.40 airfare from London to Italy.
How To Book Affordable Accommodation for your Family Snow/Ski Vacation
When booking accommodation, TripAdvisor is the way to go because you can read reviews and see photos from other travelers to get a feel of where you will be staying. Other great sites to book hotels are HotelsCombined, Booking.com and Hotels.com. Don’t forget to check HomeAway and VRBO for house and villa rentals too. Perfect for when you travel with a large family, and also to save money when hotels are expensive. Another favorite of mine is BookVIP – they offer huge resort savings.
How To Book Winter Activities
My favorite website to search for activities, tours and especially skip the line tickets is Viator and Get Your Guide. This makes trip planning so much easier because you don’t have to search several sites as both websites have several options to choose from. Same also goes with TripAdvisor Attractions – you can search and book activities as well as read reviews.
How To Book Rental Cars When You Travel
Instead of checking every single website, I use RentalCars.com, Car Rental 8 and Skyscanner Car Rentals to find car rentals all over the world with just one click. If you plan to park at the airport, visit Airport Parking and make a reservation.
Why Travel Insurance Is a Must When You Travel
People book trips and forget the most important part, purchasing travel insurance. Because we travel often, I purchase our travel insurance through Allianz for a year at a time which means that we are covered for all trips within that year. Travel insurance will protect you and your family against theft, injury illness, flight cancellations and so much more. It is a MUST!
Looking to save even more money when you travel?
Visit my Travel Resources page to see all the reliable and trustworthy brands that I use to book my travel with. I only recommend brands that I’ve used and can vouch for, so you’re in good hands! ? Also check out these posts below:
- How To Save Money On Flights
- Best Websites To Find Cheap Flights & Error Fares
- Tips On How To Make Travel Affordable For Families
Top Travel With Kids Tips
Traveling with kids and have a few questions you need answers too, these posts below will help your trip run smooth.
- Best Travel Gear For Kids
- How To Travel With Kids Internationally Alone
- Top Must Have Items When Traveling With Kids
- Everything You Need To Know About Traveling With A Car Seat
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