Dressing a Little Nord (age 6 -10)

 

First the under layer.  Buy synthetic.  No cotton.  Typically called capilene or polypro.  Get a top with a collar.  I like Patagonia because they make one with a zip.

Add fleece pants and top depending on the temperature.

Next a fleece jacket and wind-resistant pants.  Use water-resistant pants if it’s raining or you expect a lot of snow burrowing by your child.

Next a coat.  Should be water-resistant but not too hot.  This one is a gortex shell.  Add mitts or gloves and a hat.  If it’s sunny, add shades.  You’re done.

 

A look inside a Little Nord ski bag.  I keep everything I need for dressing my Little Nord for 2 days of skiing in the red bag.

Top row:  wind-resistant pants, fleece pants, 2 pair of capilene bottoms, gaitors.

Middle top row:  fleece jacket, fleece top, 2 capilene tops, fleece vest

Middle bottom row: Gortex shell, sunglasses and googles, 2 pair of gloves

Bottom:  2 hats, neck fleece, 2 pairs of socks, sunscreen

 

Extras not shown:  chemical hot pads

 

Tricks of a seasoned ski parent:

  1. Always have spare mitts or gloves.  Kids will often get their gloves wet in the AM session and need to put on a spare pair in the afternoon.  Make sure to get a decent pair of mitts or gloves.  Kid’s don’t do well with cold hands.  A light spare pair is good for warm days.
  2. Keep a couple pairs of chemical hot pads (Hot Hands) in the ski bag.  On a bitter cold days, stick those in your kid’s gloves and boots.
  3. Don’t throw out that extra Halloween candy.  Tuck a treat into a pocket.  Working hard and cold weather means lots of calories get burned.
  4. Have a pair of googles in the bag.  On a bitter cold windy day, googles can really help little kids endure the weather.  By age 8 or 9 most kids who ski a lot are pretty good at enduring the cold, but younger kids are usually miserable when cold.
  5. If it’s pouring rain, consider leaving off the cotton underwear.  They are going to get wet, and wet cotton is simply cold and clammy.
  6. Is your kid a snow burrower?  Gaitors will really help keep the snow out of boots.