Ski trip with kids - how much stuff to pack?

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
21
Clumsy Maman,

I am learning so much from your post and the info folks have provided. If and when we are able to go skiing with our Lil Dude I've got my notes ready.

Lil Dude and I have VERY sensitive skin but have had good luck with a sunscreen product called Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple. Here is a link to the product page: http://www.coppertone.com/products/k...andsimple.aspx I'm not sure you can find it locally but may be able to order on-line? It doesn't irritate our skin and other then a complaint from him when it first goes on, "Mom, I'm wet!" there doesn't seem to be any issue.

Looking forward to reading a post ski update from you on how things went, what you took that ya didn't need and what ya wish ya had brought along.

22
Balaclava, helmet and goggles -- leaves just the nose to cover! Zinc cream too embarrassing?

23
Did not know that zinc cream could be used as a sunscreen! I'll certainly look into that.

Just a Mutt, will share our experience later - few more days before D-day . I'll doubt we'll get the cream delivered on time, but will certainly try to source a tube - summer in CH can be a killer for my boys!

24
Coppertone? Do they still manufacture? I used to work for Beecham's in London that made Coppertone- still got an original postcard with the

'don't be a pale face' advert from the 60s- a little dog pulling a little girl's panties down, exposing a pale bottom. Suppose it would not be allowed these days.

25
Of course if either of your children are still prone to toilet accidents then you will probably have guessed to double up on all the numbers that people are giving here. For example, for my 7 yr old I would only take 1 pair of PJs for the week but when he was 3/4 yrs I would have taken at least 2 (and a tube of travel clothes washing gel ..)

26
How did parents ever cope before the internet, oh wait they actually used commonsense and didnt need to ask a forum how much stuff to take on a holiday

27
.

28
A normal sun lippi stick (e.g. Labello), can also be used to exposed facial areas and should be quite mild.

A small tube with a roller ball applicator is also good - Piz Buin I think.

29
It's not like I am asking where to buy towels in Geneva?

In any event, I have a couple of good reasons to ask people for their advice:

(a) it is our very first ski holiday as a family; and

(b) as kids ourselves, we never went on a ski holiday; so calling my mum or mother in law will be useless! Yes, yes, some of us still call their mums and mothers in law for advice, before running to the net!

But on the other hand, I have plenty of experience on what to pack for a beach holiday for small kids.

30
I think it is a sensible thread. It's the sort of thing where you can learn from others experiences & advice.

(Visions of MIL on skis )

31
I doubt it - not for kids.

If we went away for a week's skiing with our three kids and we all had clean ski socks every day and didn't wash and they were, for example, 20CHF a pair each - we'd be spending 700CHF just on the socks!

Ski clothing is really expensive and adds up when you've got more than one kid.

Take a couple of pairs of socks each max and a tube of travel wash - they take a couple of minutes to wash out and dry overnight.

Same with thermals - a couple of sets at most.

But, whatever you spend on decent ski clothing for yourself - spend a comparable amount (relatively) on your kids.

They get cold more quickly so need better, warmer clothing than you do (assuming they are actually skiing too).

32
I like these thermals. Easy to wash, quick drying & reasonably priced.

http://www.sportxx.ch/fr/v-tements/m...p.477014500320

33
I thought I'd share how things went after our one-week trip.

I packed 3 sets of thermals, 2 pairs of gloves, 2 pairs of ski trousers/ jackets and 3 pairs of trousers (amongst other bits and bobs).

thermals - they were sufficient, except that we had a few accidents, and it meant I did have to do some washing after all. My advice is get pure wool (brands like Polarn O. Pyret have some warm and good value thermals) or synthetic thermals as they dry much faster. The cotton (sort of leggings) that I got for my son were very thick and warm but took 2 days to dry properly!

Gloves - my little one constantly got his gloves wet as he thought it was fun putting snow inside! So the second pair came in very handy (pun intended).

ski trousers - I packed two, one which was fleece-lined and another which was lighter. The first few days were very cold and definitely helped my son feeling warm. When the sun came out, and we did have some gloriously sunny days, then the light pair of trousers were great.

Fleeces - I packed 2 and were sufficient. Try going for darker colours, so the spaghetti sauce is not as visible ;o)

Trousers - we packed a few of these, but really just needed no more than 2 pairs of jeans.

Socks - I packed lots of socks, almost a pair for each day, and still found that I needed to wash/ dry them regularly. Every time the boys got out of their winter boots/ ski shoes, they almost always got their socks wet in the process!

I would certainly say don't bet on buying children clothes when you are at the ski resort - they are either eye-wateringly expensive or not available in the required size!

Altogether it was a great week, but now I have to go back to my laundry room!