Dress in layers.  Layering allows you to accommodate your body’s constantly changing temperature.  For example, dress your kids in polypropylene underwear (top and bottoms), which feels good next to the skin, dries quickly, absorbs sweat, and keeps you warm.  Your kids should also wear a turtleneck, sweater and jacket.

Be prepared. Mother Nature has a mind of her own.  Kids should wear a hat or headband, 60 percent of heat-loss is through the head.  Kids should also wear gloves or mittens (mittens are usually better for kids who are susceptible to cold hands).

Be sure they wear sun protection, even on cloudy days.  The sun reflects off of the snow and is stronger than you think!

Have U.V. protective sunglasses and goggles with you.  Skiing is a lot more fun when you can see.  Always wear eye protection.

When buying skiwear, look for fabric that is water and wind-resistant.  Look for wind flaps to shield zippers, snug cuffs at wrists and ankles, collars that can be snuggled up the chin and drawstrings that can be adjusted for comfort and to keep the wind out.  Be sure to buy your children quality clothing products.

If you are visiting from out of town, be sure your child has the name and phone number of your hotel or wherever you are staying written down on a piece of paper and put it in a secure pocket. 

Put you kids in ski school to get them on the right track.  Children’s instructors know how to teach kids, it’s their business.  After your children have had some lessons, you’ll enjoy skiing with your kids and they will be proud to show you their skiing abilities.

An observation from a long-time skier is that when his daughter skied with him, she regressed, as opposed to her performance when skiing with her peers in a lesson.  “She wanted to ski in-between my legs and fell down more often.  We had fun with her being silly, but a lesson allowed her to focus on he skiing and she really excelled.”

Although it is very unlikely that your child would get separated from the instructor, be sure your child has a trail map and is able to remember the instructor’s name.

Starting your kids early opens a world of adventure, fun, laughter, and beautiful scenery unsurpassed by many other sports and interests.  It’s a tremendous feeling to learn that your kids’ fondest childhood memories were of your family ski days and that now skiing has become an important element in their lives.  Your kids will be forever grateful to you when they become adults!