children Archives - WhoSki.com

School ski trip packing list tips

You’ve most likely been provided with a packing list, but what are the must-have warm wear essentials for your child’s school ski trip?

Also: what does that ski kit jargon mean? Is it all really necessary? And are some items ‘more essential’ than others?

Forget about skis and ski boots – trip organisers will sort those out. Your job is to make sure your child is warm, dry and comfortable on the slopes. Follow our expert school ski trip packing list tips to find out what ski wear your child simply cannot do without – and save time and money.

Download your printable WhoSki.com school ski trip essentials checklist here

TWO top tips

School ski trip packing list tip No 1 :
Weather can change rapidly in the mountains. Conditions can change from clear blue skies and sunny slopes to falling snow and limited visibility within a matter of minutes. Ensuring your child is equipped for all eventualities is key for safety, fun and comfort: the makings of a successful ski trip.

School ski trip packing list tip No 2 :
Buy second hand where you can. Kids grow out of clothes quickly, so odds are you will be able to fit out your child with good-as-new, preloved ski wear at a fraction of the price for new kit. Register at WhoSki.com and you will receive regular email updates as new items are listed on site.

printable school ski trip packing list — *Click here to print out your full ski trip ess entials checklist*

Must-have school ski trip clothes:

Ski jacket:
Your child’s essential ski outer layer, and usually the most costly item in your ski wardrobe. Choose a jacket that is large enough to fit multiple layers beneath ie a thin base layer, a thicker mid-layer and a microfleece to keep your child warm in the coldest conditions. They can add / remove these layers as necessary depending on weather, altitude and exertion levels.

The perfect ski jacket will be wind-resistant and waterproof, have multiple, zippable pockets, under-arm vents, a ski pass pocket on the sleeve and a powder skirt. A thinner jacket with layers beneath will make it easier to regulate temperatures. A hood is unnecessary as your child will be wearing a ski helmet while on the piste. Think safety: a bright-coloured ski jacket makes your child easier to spot on the slopes.

Preloved is the affordable option over new – and remember to sell it on after your child’s trip if that ski jacket won’t fit them again next year.

second hand ski jackets for sale at WhoSki.com — *Ski jackets: check the WhoSki.com shop before you buy new*

Ski pants / salopettes / trousers:
Whatever you call it, your child needs specialist ski legwear. A belt or braces will ensure ski pants don’t slip, vents will help regulate temperature, while reinforced knees and ankles will aid longevity and flexibility of movement. Comfort is key, so make sure ski trousers are roomy enough to fit thermal underwear beneath. Salopettes generally sit higher than ski pants and may include a bib front: handy to help keep out snow when your child takes a tumble on the piste.

Ski pants will flare towards the ankles to allow for ski boots. Many boast an inner ‘skirt’ around the ankle: this sits over the ski boot to help keep out snow. If you’re buying second hand, the ankle area may show some damage – this is perfectly normal as ski trousers often get caught on boot clips and ski bindings. Minor damage will not impair usage.

It’s all about layers

Base layers:
For a week-long school ski trip, you will ideally send your child away with a separate, long-sleeved, thermal base layer for every day of skiing. This item of ski wear will sit next to their skin, keep them warm and wick away sweat during a day of exertion on the slopes.

On warmer days, this may be the only layer required beneath your child’s outer ski jacket. In colder weather, they could wear up to two further layers. Namely…

Mid layers:
Two sets of mid layers will be ample for a one-week school ski trip. Simply put, a ski mid layer is the piece of clothing that goes between their thermal, sweat-wicking base layer and their waterproof ski jacket. It will keep your child warm, without weighing them down or preventing ease of movement.

A mid layer with a neck zip will help your child regulate their temperature by allowing in a bit of air as they heat up, or letting them zip up to their chin when they are standing around or on a chair lift.

Merino is the crème de la crème material for a mid layer but merino mid layers are expensive and need careful laundering. A synthetic, polyester mid-layer will be fine for school-age skiers. Keep man-made fibres out of landfill by purchasing second hand – and as ever, sell ski wear on afterwards.

ski clothing colourful cosy mid layers — *Cosy mid layers: slip on under a ski jacket*

Fleece:
A microfleece, thin puffer jacket or hoody plays a key role in your child’s ski wear layering system. They can slip it on as another heat-retaining layer beneath their ski jacket when temperatures are extremely low – and wear it around the hotel / hostel/ chalet when they get back from a day on the slopes. A padded gilet is another useful option to keep ski kids cosy.

Hands and feet…

Ski gloves:
Specialist ski gloves are essential. Longer, gauntlet style ski gloves that cover wrists are best as they keep out draughts. Integral elastic wrist leashes help prevent them from getting lost eg when you remove them to check your phone / piste map etc. A pair of thin glove liners is also recommended.

Mittens and fingered ski gloves are interchangeable, depending on personal preference. Mittens are generally warmer in lowest temperatures. Urge your child to put gloves to dry on a radiator at night so they will be cosy and comfy for the next day.

Ski socks:
Specialist ski socks are longer than normal socks with heat-retaining qualities and the right padding in the right places. Three pairs for a week-long school ski trip will be enough: one pair on, one pair in the drawer and a pair airing on the radiator. Or, more likely, screwed up on the floor. Oh well.

Snowboots:
A chunky pair of cosy, waterproof snowboots is an absolute must-have for your child’s school ski trip. They make for warm feet whether they are playing in the snow or tramping around resort, and help prevent tumbles on icy surfaces. Get your child to wear snowboots for the journey to cut down on luggage weight. Trainers really don’t work in ski resorts as outdoors wear.

Buff:
A buff is a thin, tubular neck scarf with multiple uses that will protect your child’s chin, neck, face, head and ears from the cold, including wind, snow and sleet. Much safer than a scarf (can’t get caught on anything or fly off) a buff is also easier to tuck into a pocket when not in use.

Must-have school ski trip accessories:

Goggles:
A pair of goggles is more protective than sunglasses, less easy to lose, warmer for the face on a cold day or when it is snowing. An adjustable strap means goggles can live on your child’s helmet even when not in use. Sunglasses are an optional extra.

ski goggles: a ski trip essential — *Goggles: a ski trip packing list essential*

Slippers/Crocs/Birkenstocks:
Outdoor footwear is banned in a lot of ski accommodation, so your child must take slip-ons to wear between boot room and chalet/hotel room. It’s good to give feet a break from restrictive ski boots, and without a robust pair of slippers that has a strong sole, your child’s socks will quickly get and stay soggy. Yuck.

Lip balm and high SPF sunscreen:
The sun can be incredibly strong on the slopes. A pocket-friendly tube of high-factor 30-50 SPF sun cream means your child will be able to top up on protection when they get back on the slopes after lunch. Make sure your child packs a couple of lip balms too, as they are easily lost.

A small daypack:
A light backpack where your child can stash a spare mid layer or fleece for days when the weather is variable, along with a water bottle, mobile phone and any other essentials, will be useful. Even if they don’t use it when skiing, it will be handy for après ski outings and activities.

Hat:
Not necessary for skiing, as your child will be wearing a helmet (provided as part of the ski hire package) while on the slopes, but a hat is essential for off-piste, in-resort activities. A woollen beanie or similar will do the trick.

Looking for kit for your child’s school ski trip? Visit the WhoSki.com shop for good condition, affordable, second hand ski wear.

Find out more:
What clothing is essential for a school ski trip
What to pack for a family ski trip

Header image: wavebreakmedia_micro on Freepik

“I spent £1k on kit – most will never get used”

How much does it cost to kit your kids out for an expedition? And what if that kit never gets used?

The 2023 World Scout Jamboree – oh dear! We feel so sorry for those Scouts who had worked so hard for so long to get to South Korea, only for a series of organisational and climactic mishaps to make it a trip to remember for all the wrong reasons.

Costly kit lists

Here at WhoSki.com we were also struck by the words of one parent, who told The Times, “You get a big kit list… I spent about £1,000 in Decathlon. Most of it will never get used.”

If you’ve ever signed up a child for a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, an adventure trip or a Scout or Guide camp, you’ll sympathise.

Kitting out your kids with the necessary equipment for every eventuality – rain, wind, heat, insects, snow – is essential. The official kit list is lengthy. The cost is high.

But much of that expedition gear, which ranges from waterproof jackets to mosquito nets, Camelbak hydration carriers to gaiters, walking trousers to rucksack liners, barely gets used. Let’s face it, some of it never comes out of the bag.

Unused kit: perfect for re-sale

A lot of equipment is used only briefly because your teenage kids grow out of it before their next adventure. Which makes it perfect for secondhand re-sale. And WhoSki.com is the perfect place to sell it on.

We have expanded our categories beyond ski to include a wider range of pre-loved outdoor clothing and kit.

So rather than stuffing that outdoor gear in the loft, why not sell it on via our secondhand marketplace? It’s your chance to recoup some of your initial outlay and help make someone else’s DofE expedition a bit more affordable and sustainable.

Image by Freepik

Ace your next ski trip

Racing to the slopes for a ski trip? WhoSki.com is your best piste pal for snow tips for all the family, every step of the way.

Survive the drive:

From TAG to aire, 15 years-worth of tips to ease your experience of the autoroute to the Alps. Read more: Ski-drive tips

Offspring going on a Uni ski trip?

There’s a lot that goes on during student ski trip that it’s probably best for parents NOT to know. Ever. We persuaded some students to spill the beans and share their tips. Read more: Secrets of the student ski trip

Sell your ski stuff now:

Have you ever tried finding ski clothing in shops after February half-term? Our top tip – don’t bother! The shelves are full of summer sports gear already, making this the perfect time to list your good as new ski clothing at WhoSki.com for a quick sale. Read more: Five simple steps to selling your ski clothes

Dealing with reluctant skiers:

What can you do if your child – or grandchild – doesn’t like ski school? My daughter hated her ski lessons, for YEARS. Here’s what I tried, with varying levels of success… Read more: Help! My child doesn’t like ski school

Must-haves for a school ski trip:

Still looking for kit for a school ski trip child? The WhoSki.com shop is the best place to buy good quality ski clothes at great prices. Check our school ski trip essentials checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need. Read more: School ski trip packing list

Cross country ski essentials:

If you’re hitting the trails rather than the downhills, we can help. It’s hard work – but super-fun. Here’s exactly what you should be wearing to stay warm, look good and avoid overheating when cross country skiing. Read more: Dress right for XC skiing

Shop sustainably. Buy and sell at WhoSki.com: we donate 10% of our commission to teen mental health charity stem4 on EVERY sale.

Image by derich on Freepik

Help! My child doesn’t like going to ski school

Having a child who doesn’t like going to ski school can ruin your ski holiday as well as theirs. Is there anything you can do?

Of my two children, one was a ‘Ski-Do’ at ski school from day one, aged five. He went off happily every day, eventually progressing to avalanche drill and schussing the scariest of couloirs with his cool dude instructors.

Child No2, however, was a classic ‘Ski-Don’t’. Didn’t like the ski school experience, was always the one hanging off the back of the ski tiddlers-snake, terrified of getting lost on the mountain, anxiety-induced tummy aches. To her credit, she did try her best not to cry until we’d dropped her at ski school, but it was stressful for all. Even now, a keen late-teens skier, she reckons she’s got ski-school-induced PTSD: “It’s not the skiing I disliked, mum, it was the lessons.”

Parental guilt, moi? Big time.

So, is there anything you can do to help your child who doesn’t like going to ski school? Here’s what I tried and how successful it was…

1 COMFORT:

Make sure your child is comfortable in their ski kit. Clothes should be warm and easy to take on and off. Snip out any scratchy labels. Let them help choose their outfit – wanting to wear the ski suit they specially selected for ski school might act as an incentive to join in with enthusiasm.
Success rate: 3/5 (On day 1, at least. Enthusiasm subsequently plummeted)

“I love my Barbie ski suit – but I still don’t like ski school”

2 A COMFORTER:

One year, my daughter spent her time on the slopes with a favourite doll tucked down her front, securely zipped inside her all-in-one. Did it help? Somewhat, although there were still PLENTY of tears. This was also the year she caught Norovirus and scarlet fever while in resort. Note to self: perhaps it’s NOT ski school that’s the problem?
Success rate: 2/5 (Slightly happier but no silver bullet. Feeling like c**p probs didn’t help)

3 SNACKS:

A little packet of sweets tucked into a safe pocket for break time is a good incentive, especially if your child isn’t normally allowed much in the way of ‘naughties’.
Success rate: 0/5 (No kidding my girl, who knew life would have been happier with us, slurping a chocolat chaud avec Chantilly in a cosy cafe)

Hot chocolate with Chantilly cream — You can see the appeal of a chocolat chaud

4 ANXIETY REMEDY:

I used to send my quivering child off to ski school sucking on a ‘braveness sweetie’, with a couple more zipped into a pocket. Braveness sweeties = fruit flavoured Rescue Remedy pastilles. Did they work? Well, research suggests that Rescue Remedies can help reduce anxiety. They at least gave my little girl something to focus on mentally to help manage her worries.
Success rate: 3/5 (Recommend. Pack enough so all the kids in your group can enjoy the braveness bonus)

5 THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM:

The year we abandoned group lessons in favour of a private instructor was the first year EVER my daughter did not hate learning to ski. We shared the cost across two families and guess what? It was worth EVERY PENNY.
Success rate: 5/5 (Happy child = happy parent. Daughter only required private tuition for a few years before she was able to ski en famille. Bingo!)

6 DIY aka ‘DO A SALLY’:

My WhoSki co-founder Sally gave up on ski school, and she and her partner taught the kids themselves. As she puts it: “Sometimes this was bonding and at other times very, very hard work!”
Success rate: 3/ 5 on a good day (but 5/5 for affordability)

To be honest, perhaps my daughter’s aversion to group lessons stemmed from a bad experience on a dry ski slope aged four, where she got hit in the head by a rogue button lift seat. Not a great start…

Have you managed to solve the ‘Ski-Don’t’ problem? Let us know on the WhoSki social media channels.

Club Europe supporting sustainability through WhoSki.com

A huge cheer for school ski trip provider Club Europe, for taking strong steps towards improving sustainability in its operations. Not only is it recommending WhoSki.com as the place to buy and sell secondhand ski clothing, it is looking at ways to reduce its environmental impact across all areas.

The company is the latest to partner with us to help keep pre-loved ski clothing in active usage for longer and make skiing more affordable.

As Club Europe says: “The idea is simple: reduce the quantity of new ski clothes that are bought and old ones that are sent to landfill, by enabling families to easily buy and sell pre-loved ski wear.”

What to pack for a family ski trip

KEEPING SKI CLOTHES ON THE PISTE

Club Europe will be helping hundreds of youngsters take a school ski trip this season. If even a fraction of those young skiers and their families buy and sell their ski clothing via WhoSki.com, they will potentially help keep a mountain of clothing out of landfill and reduce its carbon footprint by extending its active life.

WhoSki.com co-founder Nicola Davenport says: “We are delighted to be working with Club Europe, a school ski trip provider that is committed to sustainable business.

“Raising awareness of WhoSki.com as a secondhand marketplace for good quality ski clothing helps not only keep textiles in circulation but also raises the profile of sustainability in the wintersports sector generally. The more we all do to think #SkiGreen, the brighter the future for our mountains.”

Club Europe is recommending WhoSki.com as a first stop for buying specialist kit for a school ski trip, as well as the best place to sell on unwanted but good quality ski clothes that no longer fit.

Club Europe: Committed to sustAinability

Alison Wareham, Club Europe’s sustainability lead, adds: “As a responsible travel provider, we are committed to sustainability in our development, operations and marketing. Partnering with WhoSki.com not only helps the environment but gives families a small financial boost – saving money on ski wear and perhaps by selling their own unwanted ski fit, making a few pennies too.”

What to pack for a family ski trip

What to pack for your family ski holidays

Most of us heading for the slopes this winter / spring will be seasoned skiers / snowboarders, but if you’re a ski holidays first timer, what ski wear essentials should be in your suitcase?

No one wants to (a) over-pack OR (b) be under-prepared. If you’re not a ski parent, however, it can be hard to know what’s a must-have, and what you can cross off the shopping list. Here’s the children’s ski wear I recommend, after two decades of skiing with children (from age 0 upwards):

SKI WEAR MUST-HAVES:

warm, waterproof ski jackets and trousers or ski suit. You cannot ‘make do’ with non-specialist equipment here: waterproofing, flexible movement, pockets and padding will make for an all-round better ski experience.
mid-layer. This can be a simple fleece, but make sure it has a zip so the wearer can open and close according to weather and exertion.
ski goggles. More protective than sunglasses, less easy to lose, warmer for the face on a cold day or when it is snowing.
ski gloves. Absolutely essential as it’s miserable to have cold hands, oft expressed by highly vocal wailing. You might also want to throw in a pair of thin glove liners. Mittens are warmer and perfect for little ones. Kids’ gloves tend to get drenched on a daily basis and they are slow to dry, so taking a spare pair is recommended.
ski socks. Longer than normal socks with heat-retaining qualities and the right padding in the right places, two pairs of ski socks for a week’s trip will be enough, provided they go on the radiator to dry between wears.
snowboots. No child or adult should ever go to the mountains without a chunky pair of cosy, waterproof snowboots. They mean kids can play in the snow without getting frostbite of the toes, and adults can walk to the bar/supermarket/ski school pick-up point without slipping over. Wear them on the journey to cut down on luggage weight
slippers/Crocs. Aka footwear you can wear between bootroom and chalet/hotel room. The first sign you will see at the entrance to your accommodation will be: no outdoor footwear. Without slippers (ideally, something robust with a sturdy sole) your socks will quickly be soggy. Yuck.
Lip balm and high SPF sunscreen. Take a few small tubes of suncream with you and slip into pockets so you can top up throughout the day. Ditto for lip balms, which are easily lost.

SKI WEAR NICE-TO-HAVES:

handwarmers. Keeping one of these in your pocket for those super-cold ski days can make a big difference, although there will be years when you don’t need them at all. Good news though: they don’t go off, so save them for next season if unused.
sunglasses. I would never go skiing without a pair in my pocket, but my kids have been known to stick with goggles whatever the weather. One less thing to lose, too.
thermal underwear. I always made sure my young kids wore thermals – and sometimes that was all they needed under their ski suits – but for teens, not essential.
helmet. Essential to wear, but easy to rent. You only really need to own one if you’re a habitual skier. For children, make sure there’s a clip at the back to prevent goggles from pinging off. As with cycling and motorcycling, never buy a secondhand helmet: you don’t know what it’s been through, plus build technology has improved year on year so modern styles are safer than ever.
ski boots. As above: wait to buy them until your child’s feet have stopped growing/you move to the Alps/you’ve got the ski bug.
multi-packs of a favourite sweet snack. Slipping a packet of Haribos or a chocolate bar into a child’s ski jacket pocket provides a welcome energy boost for little ones between runs.

Got children’s ski wear that no longer fits? Pass it on via our preloved ski clothing marketplace. Looking for ski clothes for your family? Browse our peer-to-peer marketplace for high quality secondhand ski gear.

Boost your family’s mental health with #PMHD

You may spend a lot of time worrying about the mental health of your offspring, but how often do you think about your own?

Our charity partner stem4 has nominated today Thursday (January 27) as Parent Mental Health Day (#PMHD) to highlight that by looking after our own mental health, we can in turn improve outcomes for our children. It makes perfect sense.

The theme of the event is ‘balance’: #TiptheBalance to Positive: Looking after Parent and Carer Mental Health, and comes with a free Zoom seminar at 7pm this evening (27/01/2022). Register here: https://bit.ly/stem4webinarsPMHD

We donate 10% of our commission on every sale through WhoSki.com to stem4, which is Wimbledon-based (as are we) and focuses on practical ways to improve teenage mental health through developing apps and support programmes.

This year’s #PMHD is a nudge for parents and carers to take a moment to reflect on the balance (or lack of it) we have in our lives, and take simple, positive steps that can bring changes.

You might find it hard to believe at times, but as a young person’s ‘responsible adult’ you are among their chief influencers – building on this position of influence can be a positive way to improve mental health for every member of your family.

Perhaps your next family ski trip might be a good time to put some stem4 positive mental health tips into practice? Combined Minds is among the highly rated apps the charity has developed to support its aim of fostering the development of good mental health in teenagers through enhancing early understanding and awareness.

What clothing is essential for a school ski trip?

For many people, the first time they even think about buying ski clothing is when their child is signed up for a school ski trip. You’ve paid for travel, tuition and accommodation, but how many of those items on the kit list do you really need to buy?

See above a genuine plea for help from a mum-friend just this week. The message thread continued…

Hmm, yes: having the wrong kit could well be a factor!

No parent wants their child to be uncomfortable on the mountain, especially if you’re skiing with them (every ski parent will do everything they can to minimise small skier whingeing, right?), so making sure they’ve got the right clothing is essential.

If you’re not a ski parent, however, it can be hard to know what on that lengthy list of recommended school ski kit clothing is a must-have, and what you can skip buying or borrowing.

Here’s what I recommend, after almost two decades of skiing with children (from age 0 upwards):
MUST-HAVES:

warm, waterproof ski jacket and trousers or ski suit. You cannot ‘make do’ with non-specialist equipment here: waterproofing, flexible movement, pockets and padding will make for an all-round better ski experience.
mid-layer. This can be a simple fleece, but make sure it has a zip so the wearer can open and close according to weather and exertion
ski goggles. More protective than sunglasses, less easy to lose, warmer for the face on a cold day or when it is snowing.
ski gloves. Absolutely essential as cold hands are a source of misery for many. You might also want to throw in a pair of thin glove liners
ski socks. Longer than normal socks with heat-retaining qualities and the right padding in the right places, two pairs of ski socks for a week’s trip will be enough, provided your child puts them on the radiator to dry between wears.
snowboots. No child or adult should ever go skiing without a chunky pair of cosy, waterproof snowboots. They mean kids can play in the snow without getting frostbite of the toes, and adults can walk to the bar/supermarket/ski school pick-up point without slipping over. Wear them on the journey to cut down on luggage weight
slippers/Crocs. Aka footwear you can wear between bootroom and chalet/hotel room. The first sign you will see at the entrance to your accommodation will be: no outdoor footwear. Without slippers (ideally, something robust with a sturdy sole) your socks will quickly be soggy. Yuck.

NICE-TO-HAVES:

handwarmers. Keeping one of these in your pocket for those super-cold days can make a big difference, although there will be years when you don’t need them at all. Good news though: they don’t go off, so save them for next season if unused.
sunglasses. I would never go skiing without a pair in my pocket, but my kids have been known to stick with goggles whatever the weather. One less thing to lose, too!
thermal underwear. I always made sure my young kids wore thermals – and sometimes that was all they needed under their ski suits – but for teens, not essential.
helmet. Essential to wear, but easy to rent. You only really need to own one if you’re a habitual skier.
ski boots. As above: wait to buy them until you’ve got the ski bug.

Looking for ski clothes for your child’s next ski trip or school ski trip? Visit the WhoSki.com shop for pre-loved, good-as-new ski clothing at a fraction of the RRP.

Got children’s ski clothing that no longer fits? Pass it on via our preloved ski clothing marketplace.

We donate to charity on every sale.

Should we all be wearing a ski helmet?

I swapped my cosy ski cap (with fold down earflaps) for a ski helmet about four years ago for fear of being hit by another skier or boarder on the piste. These days, it’s unusual to see skiers or boarders not wearing a helmet.

That’s a huge change in slope safety mindset from just a few years ago: studies show that in some US and European resorts, 70% of us now habitually wear a ski helmet. They are not compulsory, although some resorts and ski schools do insist that infants and children wear a helmet on the piste.

In Canada, helmets are mandatory for those learning to snowboard, as well as for those teaching boarders and skiers.

Head injuries

Few parents would disagree that helmets for child skiers are essential, but should you wear one yourself?

Accidents involving high-profile skiers like Michael Schumacher and Natasha Richardson have helped convince many to swap beanies for helmets, although Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he sustained his injuries. Actress Natasha Richardson died from bleeding on the brain after she fell and hit her head while skiing (no helmet).

Benefits of wearing a helmet

As a chilly skier, I was pleased to find that a helmet is much cosier than a hat, it’s less likely to fall off (obviously), doesn’t itch and means you can keep your goggles on your helmet rather than have them taking up valuable pocket space. And as for those helmets that incorporate visors? Swoon!

Vents mean your head doesn’t overheat when you’re tackling a gnarly slope or the sun comes out, so for me my helmet is definitely a keeper.

The only question is how long can I go before buying a new one? There are some seriously desirable styles out there.

Ski helmets and injury

From the point of view of protection from injury, does wearing a helmet make a difference?

The NHS advises that the chances of sustaining serious injury when skiing are low. But if you are unlucky enough to have an accident, research published in June 2018 concludes (unsurprisingly) that wearing a helmet does help protect from head injuries. (btw, the publication Wilderness and Environmental Medicine Journal, where this research is published, has a fascinating contents page namechecking everything from wild boar to venomous snake bites via fire ants and ultraendurance nutrition.)

Scientists who have studied the effects of helmet use by skiers and snowboarders advise wearing a helmet in order to reduce the risk of a potentially serious head injury.

However, many ski helmets are not made of materials that will prevent brain injury if a so-called rotational injury occurs whereby (as explained in a very informative article in the Telegraph here), the brain rotates inside the skull following a collision.

Keep a look out for changes in helmet design and technology that offer increased protection from this kind of injury. (Good excuse for a headwear refresh!)

Find out more:

Ski Club GB advice about wearing a helmet

A factsheet from the charity Headway lists the symptoms of concussion and what to do if you suffer a blow to the head

Could our kids be next gen ski champs?

Some 1.5 million Brits take a ski holiday every year and, if you’ve been to an Alpine resort in the school holidays, you will know that includes a helluva lot of children. So are we getting to the point where our ski kids will be good enough to compete with the snowy nations like Canada, France, Switzerland and Norway?

Recent generations have seen increasing numbers of British children learning to ski from an early age, and it is that early exposure to the enjoyment and challenge of winter sports, combined with Team GB backing, that is starting to manifest itself in professional success on the piste.

Traditionally, we have done badly in the Winter Olympics: not surprising given our lack of infrastructure as well as a deficiency of accessible, reliably snowy mountains.

2014 Olympics: UK wins first medal on snow

Things started changing in the last couple of Winter Olympics, however, with the UK’s first medal on snow won by boarder Jenny Jones in 2014, followed by two more snowboarding medals at Sochi last year.

Meanwhile, alpine racer Dave Ryding finished second in the parallel slalom at the World Cup in Oslo on New Year’s Day, fourth overall at the World Cup in Italy on 23 December, and came ninth at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Ryding is our most successful World Cup alpine skier EVER.

British Nordic skiers making tracks

We’ve also got a number of Nordic skiers who are making progress in World Cup events: Andrew Musgrave took a podium place in the 15km World Cup race at Toblach in December 2018 and finished 7th in the skiathlon at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He recently scored a top 10 place in the gruelling Tour de Ski 15km classic.

These successes are now the focus of a vision from Performance Director for GB Snowsport Dan Hunt – the Dave Brailsford of winter sports. He is ambitious, aiming for the UK to be a top-five nation in ski and snowboarding by 2030. He was quoted in an article in The Times this week. “It feels like British cycling in 2006,” Hunt explained. “We may not have mountains but we have sporting intelligence.

“This is where I get excited. What we are really good at, better than anyone else in the world, is shutting a gap of about 0.3 seconds.”

British downhill No 1 Dave Ryding agrees, telling The Times: “To be a top-five nation you only need one person to do well in each discipline. I won’t be around in 2030… but the younger generation is stronger than I’ve ever seen it.”

Get your ski kids involved

So if your child wants to take their skiing that bit further, how to support them? These links should help:

British Nordic (cross country) skiing: https://www.britishnordic.org/

Snowsport England: https://snowsportengland.org.uk/get_competitive

GB Snowsport: https://www.gbsnowsport.com/

And if you need to kit them out, or pass on their no longer needed ski, remember that buying and selling via WhoSki.com is the eco way to keep down costs and keep ski clothing out of landfill.

Kids Ski Wear

Kids ski wear that lasts: we like!

Perfect Scandi brand ski kit for kids 1, 2 … and 3?

Nice to see a new (to us!) kid on the block in the children’s outerwear market: Swedish brand Polarn O.Pyret.

If anyone knows how to keep the little ones warm and weatherproofed, it’s the Scandis, right? So it was lovely to see that they are about to launch their new range of ski jackets, ski trousers and ski gloves, in practical unisex reds, camo and black/white.

Warning: it’s going to be limited edition, so keep your eye on their website to be in with a chance of grabbing a set (jackets £105; pants £85; age 2-12). Sounds costly? It’s tough stuff, built to last two children or more. And that means high re-sale value, so remember to recycle via Whoski.com when you’re ready to pass on your children’s outgrown ski clothing..

As Polarn O.Pyret agrees: “Handing down or selling is better for the planet… and for your pocket!”