It's almost the Easter holidays...here's how I pack the essentials for a children's ski trip!
With the Easter holidays almost upon us, I thought I would chat to you about what I like to pack for the children for a family skiing holiday!
CLOTHING
Ski Jacket from Dare to B - these are fantastic as they have a lot of pockets. Including pockets in the arm for a ski pass. There's even a piece of material attached to wipe your goggle lenses if they get fogged up!
Salopettes - I believe it’s very important for children’s salopettes to have braces - this keeps them up for little ones.
Gloves - these are Barts mittens with a great wrist strap for easy on and off.
Glove liners - When it gets a little too warm to wear mittens, liners can be worn as gloves. Especially great in Spring.
Balaclava liner - we hire helmets so it’s quite nice to pop a balaclava on underneath - not only do you have an extra layer of warmth, but it’s quite nice to just have that barrier between you and the hired helmet.
A nice warm hat for cold evenings!
3 pairs of clean ski socks - I like to nametape these as I do have 3 children and they can get quite muddled up, especially with the boys.
Goggles - I like to invest in really bright ones for my children so I can spot them a mile off. It’s also a good idea to have great quality goggles to protect their eyes against the strong glare from the sun and snow.
Polarised sunnies - again these ensure a level of protection all day.
Handwarmers - just in case their fingers get really chilly!
ESF Ski Ability book - this gets stamped by their ski instructor after lessons.
Two pairs of long johns - these are great to wear under salopettes, and if it's really cold they are invaluable. In the very cold December/January season they are fairly vital.
Two thin zip up fleeces for mid layer - these can be worn or not depending on the weather! It’s always good to have more layers than not.
Fleecy neck warmers for chilly days - these are such great little pieces to just pop on when needed.
5 tops - one clean top for every day!
Pyjamas from the fabulous Sleepycozy - the very best pyjamas! I absolutely love the brushed cotton sets. They are wonderfully comfortable.
Two long sleeve tops - if it’s chilly the children can pop these on as an additional layer under long sleeved t shirts.
One pair of tracksuit bottoms for in the chalet - the most comfortable loungewear!
Two sets of clothes for the evening, just in case. We do tend to stay in after a day’s skiing due to tiredness - but if we were to venture out it is nice to have some outfits popped aside.
Big thick fleece for cozy evenings.
Socks and pants.
Snow boots - I don’t make the children travel in their snow boots. I just think they are quite uncomfortable and too hot to travel in! Yes they are bulky and heaving to carry, but we’re all happier with them being in the suitcase.
Lightweight Jacket - these lightweight jackets scrunch into a tiny ball, therefore are perfect for travelling. If the weather is hot at the destination it’s also a great jacket to wear for the warmer days.
Travelling in their ski jackets just makes for an uncomfortable journey, with these you can simply squeeze them into your hand luggage. The children don’t take backpacks, we just take one hand luggage on wheels. It just seems to create unnecessary worry for the journey making sure everyone is carrying their backpacks!
WASHBAG
La Roche Posay SPF50 - I put 50 on their faces every single day! It is monumentally important to be protected from the sun, especially on a skiing holiday.
Institute Esthederm - I also slather this great product onto all noses and cheekbones.
Puiz Buin SPF15 - this is for arms and anywhere else that could catch the sun whilst sitting outside.
Plasters - never without these!
Flannel - for clean faces.
Sudocrem - You know by now that I carry a pot wherever I go!
Lavender oil - a couple of drops on pillows helps the children to sleep.
Arnica pills - for bumps and bruises.
Jack and Jill Strawberry Toothpaste - Gus hates mint toothpaste so I take this fantastic strawberry flavoured natural toothpaste - I really recommend this if you have a child that doesn’t get on well with mint!
Kool n Soothe forehead - if you’ve watched my video all about my medicine cupboard you will know how much I love these!
Multivitamins for 7-11 - I make sure the children take one of these every evening before we brush teeth.
Spot and Stripe Toiletries - this is a new brand of toiletries designed for children, pre-teens and teens. The body wash is wonderful.
SPF 30 Lip Salve - Wouldn’t do without this on the slopes to protect against both the sun and uncomfortable chapped lips!
Bacitracin - this is an ointment cream that you can get from French chemists - I love the stuff! Fantastic for popping a little onto cuts.
Ear thermometer and Calpol - just in case.
FOR WHILST TRAVELLING
It’s so nice to short-haul flights to keep the children occupied with something other than an iPad. It keeps them more present in the moment, looking out of the window and at what is going on around them.
I like to print off Piste maps - these help with the excitement of making our way there!
We also take copies of:
First News - this comes to our door every Friday and the kids absolutely love it.
National Geographic Kids - this magazine is lots of fun and has plenty of activities inside.
Aquila - this is a monthly magazine and is incredibly educational as well as being great fun!
I do hope you’ve found this helpful, do you take any other pieces with you on a ski trip? Are you off anywhere lovely this Easter?
Love,