Welcome to our Ski Schooling Series! If you missed our other post on dressing for skiing, start here: 10 Tips for dressing yourself and your little one. Otherwise, I am going to cover some classic scenarios in terms of weather and skier ability. So keep reading for more specific brand suggestions. Please post any questions or tips of your own in the comments section!

Scenario: temperature is mid 20s - mid 30s, slight wind.

Skier: Toddler who needs a lot of assistance, including holding them between your legs or lifting on/off the chairlift.

Parent: Dress in light layers. You will be busy hiking up hill, lifting your child, helping them on/and off the lifts. And chances are you won’t be out in the elements that long. Here are my clothing suggestions:

• Base layer: synthetic/wool running shirt (long or short sleeve), light long underwear
• Mid Layer: none (unless you choose a warm fleece warm and go without an outer layer altogether!
• Outer layer: Soft shell jacket /breathable jacket. A heavy weight fleece might work well and shell pants.
• Heads/hands/feet: light weight ski socks, fleece gluttons (mittens with removable fingers, very useful for helping those little ones), helmet with vents opened. :)

Toddler: Your toddler will not be working nearly as hard as you, so dress them warmer. Once again this will all vary but here are the layers we have loved:

• Base layer: REI synthetic long-underwear top and bottoms (we double use as pajamas :)) If it is colder we use thick fleece pants instead of the long underwear.
• Mid Layer: North Face fleece turtle neck or REI fleece top.
• Outer layer: Preferably a down jacket, or heavy ski jacket that  has a moisture barrier. And fleece lined ski pants.
• Heads/hands/feet: wool ski socks, mittens (we’ve had luck with Gordini zippered mittens ), helmet.

Scenario: 20 degrees or below. Windy.

Skier: Elementary age kids. I would not even suggest taking your toddler out. Mine always cry the whole time. (Unless you live up north :) Where it is probably always lower than 20 degrees.)

Parent: Remember, if you are with older, more self sufficient kids, you will not be working hard. But sticking with them on green and blue runs (depending on your own level of proficiency). So I’d dress warm, really warm.

• Base layer: wool or synthetic long underwear top/bottoms and/or fleece bottoms. Brands we like: Hot Chili, Patagonia, REI
• Mid Layer: Fleece power stretch, quick dry long sleeve. Brands we like: Patagonia, North Face, REI. Add a down or synthetic sweater (like Patagonia down sweater) as a mid-layer if your shell adds little insulation.
• Outer layer: Preferably a down jacket, or heavy ski jacket that has a moisture barrier. And lined ski pants. Jackets we love: ISIS Whisper Hoodie, Patagonia Soft Shell, Mountain Hardware Synthetic-fill hoodie, REI fleece lined soft shell
• Heads/hands/feet: wool ski socks, mittens/gloves, helmet with vents closed. Balaclava for wind and face protection.
• 

Children: Pretty much dress them as warm as possible.

• Base layer: REI synthetic long-underwear top and thick fleece pants (REI light weight fleece pants) instead of the long underwear.
• Mid Layer: North Face fleece turtle neck or REI fleece top.
• Outer layer: Preferably a down jacket, or heavy ski jacket that has a moisture barrier. And fleece lined ski pants.
• Heads/hands/feet: wool ski socks, mittens, helmet with vents closed. Balaclava for wind.

Scenario: Spring skiing weather. Temperatures above 32 degrees. Sunny.

Skier: Any level.

 Parent: When it is warm, it is warm! Everyone can dress for the weather. However, resist the temptation to wear shorts and/or t-shirts. Sunburns abound. As well as slush burns. Ever had one of those? Not fun. So if you think you might fall, keep your skin covered!

• Base layer: Short/Long sleeve shirt
• Mid Layer: Fleece or cotton hoodie. Yes, I said it. Cotton. On warm days I find my favorite clothing includes an old sweatshirt!
• Outer layer: none, unless you think the wind will pick up…then maybe a wind proof shell.
• Heads/hands/feet: light wool ski socks, gloves or gluttons, helmet with vents opened.
• SUNSCREEN and GOGGLES or SUNGLASSES with adequate coverage a must! You can actually sunburn your eyes. Believe me, it is bad. Bad. Plus in the world of skiing, goggle tans are cool. :)

Children: All the same applies!

• Base layer: T-shirt (long sleeve if you think they’ll want to ditch the fleece).
• Mid Layer: Fleece top like the North Face fleece pull over or the REI Boulder Ridge fleece jacket (pictured below).
• Outer layer: none, save ski pants.
• Heads/hands/feet: wool ski socks, fleece mittens (Brands we love: REI, Patagonia. look for a cinch cord or tight cuff around the wrist), helmet with vents opened.