Child goes skiing in different conditions

Wow...the Lake Tahoe ski season has been all over the map so far. That is with regards to temperatures, weather, and snow conditions. We've had storms dumping 3feet of fresh with big winds and then the very next weekend we have had spring conditions with temps reaching 50 degrees. Luckily early on..way before children...when we were actually teaching kids and having ones of our own was the furthest from our minds we were learning how to and not to dress kids for the slopes.

Dress in layers. Layering accommodates the body’s constantly changing temperature. The two most important layers are the ones closest to your skin and the one outside:
> Closest to Skin: Try polypropylene underware (top and bottoms) which feels good next to the skin, dries quickly, absorbs sweat and is warm.
> Outermost: 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 to the chin and deep pockets. We preferred a one piece while our children were in diapers, but went to a long jacket and pants once potty-trained. Growth tucks which are hem linings with extra fabric where one can remove the stitching and the inseam length extends another two inches to accommodate child's growth will help pants last longer Good Source: www.rei.com , www.outdoorkids.com, www.sierratradingpost.com Brands include: Columbia, REI, Obermeyer
> Middle layers to consider would be a a turtleneck or sweater/fleece

Kids should also wear gloves or mittens (mittens are usually better for kids who are susceptible to cold hands). Even on warm spring days, the snow is very abrasive to your bare skin. We have fallen in love with the Obermeyer mittens this season. There Velcro opening up the middle of the hand extends well up to the fingers to allow you to really help the toddler-aged children get their hands fully up into the glove.

Neck Gator is a must on cold/snowy days! These lightweight, mid weight, to heavy weight tubes of fleece that fit over their heads not only keep the neck warm, but can be pulled up to cover the cheeks, nose, and chin when the winds are particularly strong.

Thin wool or synthetic knee-high socks. And a couple of pairs is a good idea because when the feet sweat they get cold, so changing to a dry pair at snack/lunch time will make for a more enjoyable remainder of the lesson or day. Do not layer socks.

No cotton or clothes such as jeans that absorb water, making one more wet and cold. And only wear a headband if in conjunction with a helmet...again all that heat is going right out the top of their head. So even though their ears may be toasty their core temp is dropping.

And do label everything with your child's name. If you made the effort to label your child's items, but a ski resort ski school or child care facility loses them by all means ask for compensation. Generally they will send you straight over to a resort affiliated shop and allow you to pick up a replacement at their cost. And also be sure your child has the name and phone number of your hotel or your accommodations written down on a piece of paper and it’s in a secure pocket. If you carry a cell phone, include this number too.

Following some of these simple guidelines allows your child to go skiing in drastically different conditions and easily adjust as needed by adding or removing the layers mentioned.