toddler ski gear? (hikerbeth?)

joy143dh

Hiker, I think I remember seeing that you had your DC skiing already.. which is why I paged you...

We are excited for DS to take lessons this year (he'll be 4 in Feb).  But he's kindof a whiney kid and I'm afraid that he'll be put off by the cold.

I'm trying to find clothes that he will be comfortable and warm in, without feeling restricted movement.  I just ordered these (https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/47592?feat=506812-GN3) for DS and he has snowpants from Children's Place (last year purchase).  Can you recommend any other ski clothes/equipment?

Any tips on getting him ready to learn to ski? 

And should we purchase ski equipment (boots/skis) or just rent at the Mtn? We'll be going once a week (hopefully)

Thanks for any advice - sorry I'm asking so much!

hikerbeth

I think L.L. Bean snowsuits are great.  DD skis in one.

For us, the most important things are the hands and feet.  If they're warm, she's not whiny.  I'd recommend some nice wool (or smartwool) socks.  I usually get ours from www.sierratradingpost.com.  And make sure the boots are not fitted too tightly. . . that'll cut off his circulation and make his feet cold.

After much trial and error, we are in love with Hestra for mittens/gloves/etc.  There are some right now on the above website.  They are expensive, but as I say, if hands are warm, all is well.  We have some of the primaloft filled ones as well as some wool-lined ones with a leash and a high cuff on them. . . they have been great for DD.  They're warm but also nice and flexible.  DD hated it when she couldn't bend her hand/fingers in a mitten.

We have a great store in town to get used kids ski stuff. .  .it's $100 for the initial investment and then $20 for skis and $20 for boots each year when you trade in the old stuff.

If you're going once a week, I'd definitely buy over renting (because sometimes the rental shops have a really limited amount of tiny boots and skis), but try to find something used. . . small kids don't really wear skis out too badly.

As far as learning to ski, keep your expectations low and let him have a lot of input.  In the beginning, as long as we had a few runs with no tears, we considered it a good day.

We have a lot of luck with one person skiing with DD (holding the leash) and one person skiing in front so she can see our form.  SHe doesn't always need the leash. . . just to check her speed if we're on something kind of steep.

This is her 3rd season an we'll be putting her in ski school a couple of times.  I think she'll really have fun skiing with her peers.

hmckeown

Joy, are you going to Ward? My BIL teaches the little ones there.

Or are you going to Mt. Wachusett?

Fun!

Heather

hikerbeth

waaaaa-wachusett. . . that brings back memories (we used to live in MA)

hmckeown

Where in MA where you? It is in the next town over from me. It is neat to see it all lit up at night when the lifts are running.

Heather

hikerbeth

various places.  I went to BU and then gradually moved further outside of the city . . . was there for 11 years total.  Last place was Winchester.

joy143dh

omg - thank you SO much for the info and advice!

H, DS will most likely go to Nashoba. I think it's less busy and is only 20 min from us.  Ward is also a good option... I'll look into it!  Wachusett is great too, but it can get busy.  If any of them have weekday lessons, we'd like to do it on Thursdays, when the mountains aren't busy so DH & I can go.  Realistically, it may just be that we take DS for a few runs ourselves during the week and put him in a group lesson.  We'll have to feel him out to see what he would respond too best.   I was also thinking of getting him started on a snowboard, but DH is adament that we get him skiing first.

DevonPow

Just commenting to mark this for later - we are taking DS skiing for the first time in January!

hikerbeth

joy143dh:

omg - thank you SO much for the info and advice!

H, DS will most likely go to Nashoba. I think it's less busy and is only 20 min from us.  Ward is also a good option... I'll look into it!  Wachusett is great too, but it can get busy.  If any of them have weekday lessons, we'd like to do it on Thursdays, when the mountains aren't busy so DH & I can go.  Realistically, it may just be that we take DS for a few runs ourselves during the week and put him in a group lesson.  We'll have to feel him out to see what he would respond too best.   I was also thinking of getting him started on a snowboard, but DH is adament that we get him skiing first.

Most places will take kids in ski school at 3 or 4, but won't put them on a snowboard until around age 6. . .

hmckeown

Joy, I totally forgot about Nashoba. You are surrounded by places to go.

On a side note, something that Reid has really enjoyed this last year is at Sterling Gymnastics Academy. It is called Little Samurai. It is half karate, half gymnastics. He has loved it!

I know they do night classes during the week at Ward around 4 in the afternoon and it is much cheaper than the weekends.

I dont think they can snowboard there until they are 7 or 8.

Have fun!