3 in 1 jackets for children

[Squiz]

I've never been skiing before and we are taking the children next January. Are 3 in 1 jackets suitable for skiing or won't they be warm enough? I've found a really cheap Bodge the Badger one for my 3 year old and bought it anyway as it will do for a winter coat here but am baffled by the array of ski clothes available!

[debinaustria]

Personally I like the all in one ski suits for young children but if they are being left at ski school separates might be easier. I don't think the 3 in 1 jackets will be warm enough in January, you might get away with them in March. Where are you skiing?

Deb

[LIZS]

Agree a 3 year old is better in all in one. 3 in ones are ok but could get bulky with layers and may not be as warm for early season, better for Spring.

[LIZS]

oh and if you have the choice go for an outer that is windproof, waterproof and breathable with elastic or cord around waist and bottom and a proper hood.

[Squiz]

Thanks for replies. We are going to Austria, I don't really want an all in one as he will be at ski school and goes to the toilet fairly often! The 3 in 1 I have got is windproof, fully waterproof and does have cord around the bottom and hood but I understand it might get difficult with the layering. I don't want to spend a fortune on buying ski clothes for 1 week as they will only fit him for a year. Any suggestions on good cheap ski jackets. I have a 6 year old to kit out too!

[LIZS]

TK Maxx are starting to get theirs in, H and M will be early October and tchibo normally do a range about the same time. All in ones are better for lo's as they only undo one zip whereas they have to unzip and remove the jacket (in a heap on a wet floor!) then unzip and pull down salopettes, so more fumbling and time consuming. All in ones let in less draughts and snow up the back from sledging and falls ime.

[LIZS]

This site is good value too.

[fimac1]

Aldi normally stock ski wear usually about in between Christmas and New Year - have bought in the past 2 piece ski suits for both my two for £9.99 the set - agree that you really need to buy a ski jacket or they will hate if if they get cold - Aldi also sell very reasonably priced thermals, polo neck jumpers, socks and snow boots. Buy quality gloves (TKMaxx are good for brand name ski wear gloves) their hands will get wet and cold in cheapo ones

[nappyaddict]

is it better to have an all in one or jacket and trousers?

[LIZS]

Depends on age, I'd say a 4 yo or under an all in one is better - less scope for snow or cold air to get underneath and less bulky. ds used to use an all in one until about 6 in January/February then a jacket/salopettes in warmer weather as it is easier to ventilate or remove layers. After 6 he would n't ebntertain an all in one !

[nappyaddict]

i was just thinking with trips to the toilet and nappy changes a jacket and trousers might be easier?

[Meeely2]

we went in march, we bought Tog24 stuff from a designer outlet, paid £160 for two jackets, two sallopettes and two thermal tops. Don't know if that is VFM, but they will be wearing the coats again this winter, although I am never taking them ski-ing again!

[Meeely2]

they were just over 2 at the time, will be 3 in december, so coats have lasted well (Next do some really cute snow boats!)

[nappyaddict]

why won't you ever be taking them skiing again?

[Meeely2]

because i hated it! Couldn't afford to put the kids in creche, they were too young for ski-school, so we had to take it in turns ski-ing, ski-ing alone is boring and sitting in a mountain side cafe waiting for your other half to arrive while two small people trash the joint is less than fun - and we paid money to spend the week doing just that!

My dh sent me to italy for the weekend afterwards cos i was so stressed by the whole week!

[LIZS]

Teh torusers suuallty ahve straps iver the shoulders to hold them up so they have to remove both jacket and trousers. Jacket will get tossed onto wet floor of toilet ! A snowsuit is much easier and quicker for lo's, just the one zip and doesn't drag so much on the ground. Meely dd 's (6) outfit , jacket and salopettes cost £17 in Trespass outlet store. Last year's jacket was £5 in TKMaxx.

[Meeely2]

Liz my outfit was trespass too and lots cheaper, but they didn't seem to do anything small enough for tiddlers.

[nappyaddict]

had you been skiing before that?

what age can they go to ski school?

oh the ones i've seen had detachable braces. are they no good if you take the braces off?

[Meeely2]

I have been ski-ing loads so knew what to expect and tbh, before we went i had my reservations, ah well. I think 3 - 3.5 is when they take them for ski-school, just not a lot for two toddlers to do in a ski resort....i did spend a few evenings in tears!

[Meeely2]

mine had detachable braces, was quite easy for nappy changes....

[nappyaddict]

did you use them without the braces then? that's what i was planning on doing. but from what you've said i think i might wait another year before we go. was going to go in april. ds will be 22 months and from the sounds of it doesn't sound the best age to go.

[Meeely2]

we left em on, but could clip em on and off when changing a nappy.

Don't let me lead you on whether or not to go, i don't think I am the best advisor - it was a big group holiday, they all went out in the evenings - my boys won't sleep in their buggy so we would put em to bed at their usual time, I would go out early doors with my friends, and come home about 10/11 and then DH would go out with the lads.

I just felt it was a lot of money for us to spend for me to be sat in a cafe or ski-ing alone, or sat in the apartment, or wandering round the shops....my dh is going without us next year - but i am going without him to portugal so it evens it up

[LIZS]

They'll probably fall down or gradually bunch around the foot exposing the waist and back to cold and snow (if they fall or sled). dd ahs no waist and tried a pari of Next ski trousers last year which wodul nto have stayed up !

In reality very few skischools take them properly until 4 or 5 . A few will do a short taster session for 3-4 yr olds of may be an hour or so in the afternoons. Esprit etc may have you believe differently but the kids do relatively little skiing, wait their "turn" and play in snow, sometimes with skis on . Some skischools run a separate snow kindergarten which is basically childcare with some outdoors activities in the snow. To use these in France you usually need to provide proof of vaccinations.