Questions from a neewby.

Hi
i'm off skiing for the first time next week to Westendorf with my two kids and have a couple of things a would like to ask
-we all have good gloves ,but do you think liners for the kids would be a good idea
-we are all booked into ski school and my kids get really thirsty doing anything should i provide them with a bottle of drink or send them off with a small back pack
-i was told the kids will always loose gloves ,and ive been looking for some elastics to attatch to the gloves any ideas where we could get some .

Really stupid questions i know but we really looking forward to our trip and want to be prepaired nothing worse than miserable kids.
many thanks :P

Hi topmarks, my wife got some elastic from the local sewing shop threaded it through the arms of the jacket and tied the gloves on via the clips.
Our kids didn't have extra liners in their gloves and managed no problems.
Not sure about the drink question, one of our girls drinks a lot more than the other but she managed till dinner time ok.
I am sure there will be others along with more advice.
Hope you enjoy it, our kids are hooked (and so are we)

Thanks hopscotch
hope we get hooked

Hi topmarks,
For all the info about how prepare your kids for a day skiing, ask the instructor, they all know which equipement take and what is the best for kids.
I would just warn you about thirst, you get more deshydrated skiing than on the beach ! And you don't feel it so much, especially kids and old people.
Normaly skiing instructor stop in a bar with the kid, so make sure they have couple of euro in their pocket.
And there is no doubt all the family get hooked !!
Enjoy

Most important thing to look for in kids gloves is a good seal at the wrist. Part of the fun for kids is playing the snow which can get in the gloves. Good gloves will still insulate while damp.

Generally, I wouldn't worry about liners unless the temps go below -10C, but it depends on the gloves, the person and activity level. You should figure though, that in beginner lessons, there is more standing around and the amount of movement is modest. For most people if you keep your core warm and your blood pumping, the extremities look after themselves.

Stay on top of hydration. Dehydration will make altitude adjustment harder, make you feel tired, and sap your energy. As snowgirls says, dehydration is very easy to ignore.

Helmets for the kids ?

There are no stupid questions, but there are dumb people who are frightened to ask a question.

Trencher

Thanks Trencher ,going skiing is a whole new adventure .

Tell your kids that if they're thirsty, they shouldn't hesitate to tell the instructor. A good kids' instructor will make sure these needs are met. If it's their first time, they'll probably be in a very controlled environment with water readily available. If you're still not sure, I personally always ski with a Camelbak. They're great, but awkward for kids, particularly on the lift as they push your back away from the back of the chair. Hydration, as Trencher said, is extremely important. The ski school should take care of it, but you have to tell your kids how important it is to drink water during lunch break. (And to go to the bathroom before returning to the slopes!!)

Waterproof-ness is important in gloves for kids. They'll be on the ground a lot, picking themselves back up from their falls, which will probably be frequent. Wet hands are no fun. Liners are less important than getting waterproof gloves.

Do not neglect sun protection. The atmosphere is thinner at altitude so UV rays are blocked less, and the snow reflects rays back up at you. Goggles, or good sunglasses if it's warm, are very important.

Lastly, get good socks! This will pay huge dividends. Cotton is a killer; avoid it!! When it gets even a little bit wet, it loses its insulation. One pair of socks will suffice, but they have to be designed for skiing. If you must wear two, wear socks plus liners. But I can't tell you how many times boot problems and cold feet were solved by the simple removal of an extra pair of socks.

Great advice, the gloves that we all have are top end of the market so hopefully should be ok ,cant wait till next week