What do your kids need for skiing and Lapland? - A guide by Muddy Puddles

KIDDERMINSTER, ENGLAND, October 17, 2010

If you are planning a magical family trip to Lapland or a ski resort this winter then you'll need to know what clothing to take with you to keep your little ones warm. Temperatures can drop to -20 or -30 degrees centigrade in Lapland so take a look at our recommendations below and you won't feel a thing!

Babies & Toddlers (0 - 4 years)

On a skiing holiday, your baby will be moving indoors and outdoors throughout the day. Toddlers will inevitably spend much of their time falling over, rolling about in the snow and having snow-ball fights. It is important that both age groups are equipped with the right clothes to regulate their body temperature. Outer clothes and mitts need to be waterproof, not just water-resistant, in order to prevent your child getting wet or cold.

The best solution is to give your baby layers which can be removed or put on with minimal fuss. Outfits with full length zips - from neck to nappy - and mittens that open from the fingertips to the wrist are ideal.

Your baby / toddler has the same body heat as an adult. This means that they need the same number of layers as an adult would. But, since adults move around more, they warm up faster too.

It is essential to protect your baby / toddler against wind chill as continued exposure can rapidly lower body temperature.

A fleecy romper suit worn over your baby's normal clothes is an excellent start. Add a padded, waterproof all-in-one, or salopettes and a ski jacket, to complete the outfit. Your baby will remain warm, dry and with adequate protection against the wind.

For toddlers the same rules apply. Salopettes are an ideal choice and can be combined with a ski jacket to ensure that toilet trips are swift and easy.

Efficient layering traps heat and prevents the cold getting in. It is far better to wear four thin layers rather than just two thick ones.

Coverage should be comprehensive. Every inch of your baby / toddler's skin should be insulated. Gaps between sleeves and gloves can be protected by wearing wrist cosies. Neck chubes are a useful addition. They are more effective than scarves and safer.

Good socks and warm, insulated, waterproof boots with rigid soles are crucial.

The bulk of heat loss occurs through the extremities (ears, head, feet, hands, etc.), so it is crucial to make sure that your baby / toddler's tiny hands and feet are covered. A fleecy hat or balaclava will provide excellent protection for the head and ears; padded and waterproof mitts are ideal for protecting tiny paws; and insulated waterproof booties will keep tiny toes warm and content.

High altitude means that your toddler / baby will need extra eye protection. Not only is the light intense, but there is also the reflection from the snow to contend with. Visibility is greatly reduced by intense sunlight and can result in snow-blindness. This occurs when the eye is exposed to a large amount of UV rays from the sun and from snow reflection. Children's eyes are particularly sensitive which means it is vital for them to wear glasses that will block harmful UV rays. Ski-goggles should be worn over the top of these for full protection. Glasses will need to be specially designed to fit your baby or toddler. It is advisable to fit glasses with an elastic strap to hold them in place.
http://muddypuddles.com/Ski/Snow-Baby


Skiers & Snowboarders (3 years and upwards)

When children learn to ski they spend most of their time falling over, so they need waterproof ski clothes and protection for their neck and wrists to stop snow and draughts getting in. Even Santa wouldn't dare step out into the freezing snow without pulling up the fleecy collar on his big red coat!

Neck chubes and wrist cosies are effective ways of keeping Jack Frost at bay. Mitts are recommended for the beginner - they are warmer than gloves and easier to put on. For more confident skiers, gloves are essential as they allow for superior grip on ski poles.

There's a lot of waiting about in the cold for the beginners, so kids can get cold very quickly. Today's high-tech thermal base layers and fleecy mid-layers are exceptionally warm and cosy - perfect for combating the chill factor.

A thin balaclava will protect the face and neck and fit under a helmet. First-timers spend a lot of time in the resort not skiing, so a good pair of thermal boots combined with thick socks will help them enjoy every moment. High factor sunscreen is essential to protect your child from sunburn.

Many ski resorts insist that children wear helmets, so you'll need goggles to fit over the helmet and sunglasses for when they're not skiing. Italy, Austria and Argentina are just three countries that have made skiing without a helmet illegal, regardless of age, and others are sure to follow.

After a few lessons your child will be ready to tackle the bigger slopes. Once they are skiing properly, they will use up much more energy. They will often get too hot. Your child will need to wear layers that are easy to remove and to put back on - especially the little ones! Toilet stops will be much easier if layers can be removed easily.

Please bear in mind that your child will cool down quickly when taking a break, and travelling on a chair lift is a freezing business without the right protection! The important thing is to be well-prepared.

After a finding their confidence, your child may be out on the slopes all day, which means that they need reliable waterproof snowsuits, salopettes and boots. Pockets are always useful for carrying gloves, balaclavas, ski passes, sun screen and mobile phones.

It's also handy to equip your child with a small waterproof backpack. This can be used to carry a packed lunch, water bottles or maybe even mince pies for Santa!
http://muddypuddles.com/Ski

Lapland

In Lapland the temperature can drop as low as minus 300C. This means that even Santa and Rudolph have to put on their thick socks and thermal underwear before nipping out in the morning!

On a typical holiday you whiz through the snow to meet Santa on a sled pulled by dogs, reindeer or skidoo! You may also find yourself sledging and making snow-men. These activities are tremendous fun but it is essential to wrap your child up to withstand the wind chill factor.

The best way to compensate for cold temperatures is by layering. There are three main layers needed. The base layer is a thermal layer designed to regulate your body temperature and keep you warm. It does this by drawing the moisture away from your skin. These thermals should be snug-fitting for full effect and should cover both the lower and upper body.

The middle layer is all about insulation. Fleece tops are ideal and should be loose fitting but not too bulky. As with the base layer, the fabric needs to have wicking properties. This enables the moisture to be drawn away from the skin and out towards the external layer.

Your child will need a padded snowsuit as an external layer. These need to be wind and snow proof, breathable and waterproof. It is a wise idea to come prepared with neck chubes and wrist cosies to cover up any gaps. These will protect against drafts and damp.

Thick woolly socks are recommended to keep your feet warm (if in doubt, wear two pairs!). Gloves and mittens need to be waterproof, breathable and well insulated. Inner gloves are always a good option for extra warmth. A fleecy hat is also essential (wool tends to be itchy); and a balaclava is an ideal way of protecting your child's face against the freezing wind.

It is vital that your child has a good pair of boots; they should be insulated, waterproof and equipped with a good tread. Wearing thermal boots two sizes too big allows for extra socks!

Remember that it's only daylight for a few hours each day in the winter, so a mini-torch might come in handy.

Last, but not least, always equip your child with a good, warm, fleecy hat, and remember there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing!
http://muddypuddles.com/Ski/Fleece-layers
http://muddypuddles.com/Ski/Ski-Hats

TP has built their business on delivering fun for kids and peace of mind for parents. Over the years they have established a network of independent specialist Centres of Excellence throughout the country. In each, you'll find a big selection of equipment in a natural outdoor setting - the perfect place for kids to get to grips with what TP offers, to help you decide what to buy. To find your nearest Centre of Excellence or to request or download a TP brochure visit http://www.tptoys.com. TP can also be purchased from John Lewis, the Early Learning Centre and other stockists in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Terms and conditions to this competition can be viewed on the website by logging onto http://www.tptoys.com.
For further information, please contact Sarah Draper, E-marketing Manager at sarah.d@tptoys.com or telephone 01299 872892.