Gearing up your kids for a winter vacation can be daunting, but we’re sharing some insider tips from Steamboat parents, who know a thing or two about getting their kids out in the snow. You can also check out our Pinterest board that has more ideas for dressing your kids for winter.
Terri Goforth (mom of Caley, 8)- Hand and foot warmers are a must. Whether skiing or sledding or snowmobiling….these items are a definite must-have item for Caley. We actually put the foot warmers on the top of her toes so when putting on her boots, they don’t slip off or get bunched up.
Jessica Spear (mom of Shea, 8 and Sloan, 10)- On those days when motivation is low to go out in the snow, warm pajamas work great under snow suits, and it helps our family to have some sweet treats in our pockets to keep spirits high.
Wes Fountain (dad of Olivia, 8 and Jonah, 12)- Put the mittens on first, then the jacket, then grab a roll of duct tape and seal the jacket over the mittens. That will give you hours of fun without snow going down into their mittens or sleeves.
Kelly Bastone (mom of Simone, 5)- We’re fans of loooong gauntlets on gloves and high boots. A lot of snow boots are ankle models, you know. Snow invariably gets in the cuffs, because pants ride up, etc. Bogs are nice and high, and keep ankles covered even when pant cuffs ride up a bit. Long cuffs on mitts are great too, when we can find models that have them.
We’re also experimenting with the two-glove system that a lot of adults like. Kid wears a thin glove underneath a big, fluffy mitt. Kid can remove the mitt for something requiring dexterity, and put the mitt back on for warmth. It’s not a perfect solution, and not great for many hours in the snow because eventually the mitt gets damp, and doesn’t stay warm. But it does seem to keep her fingers warmer for an hour or two.
And I don’t think we ever go out without a tin of Dermatone. It’s a great emergency layer for cheeks and noses, and our kid definitely tolerates ointment better than a big bulky mask or scarf over her face, blocking her mouth/nose breathing.
Monica Niedermeier (mom of Tomas, 12)- Jackets with clips for mittens are a must, as are snow boots with a tall shaft. Get their snowpants a little long and make sure to look for ones that have a tight cuff or built in gator, so they stay on over the boots. No one likes snow in their boots!
These folks spend a lot of time with their kids out in the snow in the winter months, so these are tried and true suggestions! Give them a try and always feel free to call us with questions as you gear up for your winter vacation.