First family holiday – to ski school or not to ski school?

If you have young children and are going on your first skiing holiday as a family, it is often a tricky decision as to whether to put them into ski school or not, especially if they are very young or shy.  Ski school can be daunting to little ones and they can tire very quickly in a week-long ski school.  My little boy found the first week over-whelming, full of strangers in a strange place he became quite tearful mid week and we had to take him out.  With my daughter, we decided to hold off the first year and just teach her the basics so when she was school age she went into ski school more confident and has been whizzing through the stages each holiday.

I would always recommend putting children into ski school, (unless you are an expert skier), but it can be a good idea to spend the first family ski holiday together on the slopes teaching your child some basic skills before they start ski school, especially if you have young children.  Ski school can be daunting for some children and if they start after having a weeks skiing with their parents then they will be more confident and likely to understand the Instructor.  The majority of children start ski school at school age (as a minimum) and this makes sense, they’re accustomed to listening and following instructions.  So if your child is 3 or more and you feel they are ready, then having a week with you before formal ski school, could be an excellent grounding.

Tips on teaching your child:
Remember, the end goal is about your children learning to love skiing, keep it fun and avoid getting frustrated. If they’re not enjoying it or are struggling one afternoon, stop.  Go off together to the top of the mountain, buy a hot chocolate and enjoy the view, make snow angels and forget about teaching till the next time.

It is wise to avoid days when there is bad weather or very cold, it’s uncomfortable and not fun.   The key is to talk less and ski more; children are visual learners and will switch off after a few seconds of you over-explaining the snowplough.

Start on a gentle slope, ideally a green run or use the bottom of a blue or slopes around hotels.   You are just trying to get them to balance on the skis, just go up and down a few times.  You can try this with even younger children using plastic toddler skis (2-5yrs).  These are great for little ones getting used to having skis on their feet and to balance.  As these are not waxed they do not speed off and are easy to control when they wobble and they eventually start to ski down little bumps with straight skis.  These strap onto normal snow boots so when they get bored it’s easy to take them off and do something else.

The next stage, is teaching how to control speed using the snowplough.  This isn’t for plastic skis and you need to be higher up the slope to get some speed up.  Having a ski tip connector or “edgie wedgie” coupled with a ski harness is great to start off with.   Attach to the tips of the skis and then show them you skiing a snowplough and how you hold the position.   With a ski harness you can ski behind them, control their speed and just let them get used to holding the snowplough position.  Don’t hold the reins too tight; you need some slack and only pull in an emergency to stop them.   Just repeat this over and over again and let them feel for themselves how to go in and out of the plough position.  Eventually when they naturally hold the plough position, remove the ski tip connector and carry on practicing on lots of different slopes with just the harness.  This will teach them how to control speed on a slope, how to stop and gain confidence all while you are still in control and keeping them safe in an emergency.  If you just do this in the first week on all different slopes and practise chair lifts with them (most harnesses have a handle to help you lift them onto chairlift) then you have given them the best preparation possible for ski school. 

If you whizz through this part or have older children and they can hold the wedge position, you can start practicing turning. I just showed mine how I shifted my weight between the skis.  Skiing in front and talking through how you do a plough turn is the easiest – but go back to basic slopes, when starting this or they’ll whizz off!  They very quickly pick up the weight changes by just doing it and following you, play games like “follow my leader” are perfect.  As they pick this up, put the harness back and head up to slightly steeper slopes so they can gain some speed and practise, practise, practise.  You can even assist turns by tightening up the slack on the reins if needed.

Remember though, if you need the harness to heavily control your child's skiing speed and turns, they are not quite yet ready to be on the terrain on which you are skiing so go back to the easier slopes.  The harness should only be a safety measure.

There are some useful books that are helpful in checking that your skiing technique is correct as you don’t want to be teaching your children bad habits and they can be useful for reminding you about the basics.  “The Essentials of Skiing” by Harald Harb is a good place to start and if you are organising your own ski holiday, “Where to Ski and snowboard 2013” by Chris Gill is great for checking that your resort is family friendly and has the right pistes for your child’s level of skiing.

By Tess Bradshaw, Owner LittleSkiers.co.uk, the on-line shop for children’s skiwear, accessories and ski training aids.



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Why Choose a Sorel Boot?

I first discovered Sorel boots by accident at a Ski show back in 2008 and was so immediately impressed by the quality of the boot, I put an order in then and there.  As soon as the boots arrived, I tried them out on my children and we have never looked back.  They both live in their Sorel’s as soon as the weather starts to turn, being fully waterproof, they wear them outside constantly; when cycling, playing football, collecting conkers, climbing trees as well as walking to school in the snow.  They are very robust as each pair they have grown out of them rather than the boot wearing out!

Year on year they have been best sellers within Little Skiers and I wanted to find out a little bit more about the technical side and what make Sorel’s stand apart from the competition.

I have spoken at length to Sorel and have discovered really what goes into making a Sorel Snow Boot.  But first, a short background to who Sorel are:

Founded in 1962 on the frozen plains of Canada, Sorel is well regarded in the USA and Canada for their heritage of expert craftsmanship in producing high quality boots that function in extreme weather conditions. Sorel combines felt, wool, premium leather, and flawless construction with people who aren’t afraid to get their boots dirty!  Sorel is relatively new over here in Great Britain, especially the children’s ranges but due to the fact that once you try these boots, you never try anything else; they are growing in popularity and have introduced a fashion line alongside the traditional snow boots.

Sorel boots all have triple stitching and are seam sealed by applying a rubber based adhesive sealant to the inside seams of boots and shoes. This secures all stitched seams and ensures no water can get in.  The materials are all waterproofed before construction (cheaper boots are just sprayed with a waterproofing coating after construction) for example the Super Trooper material has a waterproof thin polyurethane film applied / laminated to the outside textile part. This PU layer stops water getting in through any part of the textile boot so it will not lose it waterproofing as it is an integral part of the boot, unlike a waterproof spayed layer which can wear off.

The rubber boot soles have natural rubber compounds that maintain flexibility and traction even in extremely cold conditions.

Boots also have a Felt Frost Plug. This is a 2.5mm thick felt board placed under the foot. The felt frost plug stops the cold from being transmitted from the ground or snow through the rubber and to the foot. 

Insulation is provided in a number of ways, according to the style.  The Snow Commander for toddlers have 200g of insulation within the boot while the Super Trooper has a removable 9mm ThermoPlus felt InnerBoot. Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting (clumping together), condensing and pressing woollen fibers together (by heat, moisture and mechanical pressure). Felt is highly resilient, provides superior thermal insulating properties and good wicking capabilities.

Additional features are the traction soles underneath the boot designed to prevent slipping and this has never worn down on any boots I have seen!  In fact Sorel guarantee all boots for 2years.

You can feel all these technical features in the weight of the boot and they are heavier and more substantial than cheaper alternatives but that is why they can withstand temperatures down to minus 32°C.

We have been advised that for men’s and women’s boots you should allow an extra 1/2 size but children’s Sorel boots you should buy their actual UK size or up to a 1/2 size up.  Full sizing guides can be found on our website including a printout sheet to measure yours and your children’s feet at home.  Visit www.littleskiers.co.ukhttp://www.littleskiers.co.uk/shop/124_Sorel_Boots for toddler, children’s, youth and adult Sorel boots. 
By Tess Bradshaw, Little Skiers

What do you need for Lapland?

If you have booked a holiday to Lapland this year, you will no doubt now be starting to think about what you actually need to be taking.  With temperatures that can go as low as a bone aching -30ºC, the correct clothing is a must.

If your holiday company does not provide outer clothing, look for a good quality childrens ski clothing that will provide a waterproof, windproof yet breathable barrier to protect from the cold, snow and windy conditions.  This outer layer does not need to be thick like a duvet, modern insulation materials means you can get great warmth from a reasonably light weight, thin jacket as the warmth has already been generated by the body and the other layers.  Big, thick jackets tend to be too heavy and restrictive and not allow moisture to wick away which in turns actually chills the body.

Thick ski socks are ideal as they are long and provide extra warmth up the legs and also protects them from rubbing on snow boots.  Waterproof, insulated snow boots are essential so do not scrimp on these as cold toes make miserable children.  Snow boots must be waterproof not just resistant and you will need thick insulated soles to ensure there is a thermal barrier between your feet and the snow and ice.  The boots tend to be bigger and heavier but when you are in thick snow you will be grateful you chose them!  Ideally you want 2.5mm frost plugs with a thermal rating from the manufacturer assuring you they have been tested in arctic conditions.

The next important items are the thermals, base layer (next to the skin) and fleece for added warmth.  The base layer is the thermal that is closest to the skin and should be as tight fitting as possible without being restrictive. The next layer should be fleece, if it is really cold a micro fleece (thinner) and then a thicker 200g fleece jacket (in a slightly bigger size) on top will be enough to really keep the warmth in.  The Kozikidz Micro fleece top & bottom set is our best seller for Lapland as it protects the legs too.  Avoid cotton as it simply soaks up moisture rather than wicking it away from the skin and out through the jacket.

Ideally you will have 2 pairs of skiing mittens (mittens are warmer than gloves) and ensure they are again waterproof.  To protect little hands further, a thermal glove liner with provide the thermal barrier that is essential to prevent heat loss.  Chemical hand warmers are great either in the gap between the liner and mitten or in coat pockets.  These stay warm for up to 8 hours, perfect for when you are queueing or on sleigh rides!

Snow sun tan lotion, lip salves and wrap around sunglasses or goggles are also needed for the glare off the snow can be very strong for eyes and also can cause skin burn.

Finally, as we all know, most of our heat is lost through our heads so a thick hat is obvious but feedback from experienced parents tell us that Ear Flap design hats are the best at protecting ears from the cold icy winds.  Balaclavas and neck warmers are perfect in conjunction with hats as these can easily be pulled up over the chin and the nose to prevent early frost bite.

All items can be bought at Little Skiers and a summary packing list can found here

by Tess Bradshaw
Little Skiers

5 tips for a family skiing holiday

Take a look at my recently published article on ideas for this years skiing holiday at Crystal Ski's blog, ski-buzz!!

Australian Bumper Ski Season - so take your kids!

The official start of the Australian snow season started a week early at Perisher in NSW after getting over 30cm of snow. Snow guns were in full force too to ensure the slopes were ready. Perisher donated the ticket sales from the first weekend to charity.

The Acting Manager for Tourism with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Mark Lees, says "the early falls could be an indication of a good season ahead if not one of the best ski seasons on record". Which is great news for the Australian Ski Industry and regional economies. "A very good start, good snow falls and I believe we've had some good overnight temperatures, well below zero, which has enabled Perisher to also top up that cover. The winter season in the Snowy Mountains of course is the major peak season. Without the winter, it would have a major affect on our tourism industry and their ability to collect revenue."

So this ski season could be an ideal time to try skiing for the first time (if you are not already addicted!) and with an abundance of snow it is an ideal time for children to learn to ski. Our first time taking my 3 yr old was when the European resorts had little snow and we were in Austria with green grass either side of the run! Trying to get my son enthusiastic about skiing on ice was not a great experience. However, we have chosen higher resorts since and teaching my daughter to ski in lovely powder is far easier! The only hard thing we had this year was keeping them on the piste as they spent the whole time having fun to the edge of piste, skiing up to their knees in snow - fantastic!

So if you are thinking about trying your children with a bit of skiing - take the opportunity now, you'll never look back and will have fantastic family holidays for years to come.

Tess, Little Skiers, Teen Skiers

Little Skiers regularly sends ski wear and accessories over to Australia, we promise never to charge more than the postage actually costs.

We currently have clothing on sale for babies, children and teenagers as our ski season has ended, so grab some bargains.

We have two set delivery prices which allow you to order on-line according to the weight of the parcel but if the actual cost is less, we will refund the difference. For parcels up to 1kg it costs 56 AUD max and up to 2kg it costs 71 AUD.   For full details please see our international page. If you are ordering a large amount or bulky items, just email us a list (tess@littleskiers.co.uk) and we will give you a quote for shipping.

You will have one named contact that we deal with you throughout the order, they will double check stock, confirm all prices are net of VAT and provide a new price (although all clothing are VAT at 0%, goggles, ski trainers include VAT so you will save 20% on these items even on sale prices) as well as get quotes from all the leading courier companies and either select the cheapest on your behalf or give you the 2 cheapest to choose from. If you are happy with the order we can take payment via telephone or accept on-line and paypal payments. We will book the courier, take care of customs requirements and email you the tracking details.

You will be kept updated throughout the process!

As a recent happy customer said: "i just wanted to say that your products are great and you were so fast for delivery etc, and i would recommend your shop to anyone in AUSTRALIA!!. Thanks heaps, Julie Baker"

Used detergents on your ski jackets - why you shouldn't!

Your ski jackets and other waterproof clothing will be waterproof to a certain level (usually between 2000-5000mm).  The fabric is made waterproof by "Durable Water Repellency (DWR)" which is an invisible water-repellent finish applied to the outer fabric of most outdoor clothing and equipment. It prevents the fabric from absorbing water by making water bead up on the surface and roll off. Maintenance of the DWR is vital to allow the fabric to breathe and ensure the longevity of ski clothing.

Normal detergents will leave a water-attracting residue on your outdoor clothing, therefore we always recommend the use of Nikwax cleaners (Tech Wash) to clean your outdoor wear. Nikwax cleaners gently lift dirt and contaminants without harming the manufacturer's original DWR (Durable Water Repellency).
If your clothing is very dirty, has oil marks (etc) then you can use a detergent to remove the stains but you must then remove the detergent residue on the fabric with Tech Wash and re-waterproof with the appropriate Nikwax waterproofer to add the water-repellency.

If you wash your clothing in normal detergents you will see the following effects:

Condensation: during heavy activity, when relative humidity and temperature are high inside the garment, condensation will form on the inside face of the membrane. This can produce enough water inside the garment to convince the wearer that the membrane or coating is leaking.

Reduced breathability: water in the fabric next to the membrane / coating significantly reduces the rate at which body moisture is able to pass through the membrane to the outside air.

Increased garment weight: saturated outer fabrics adds weight to the garment. Condensation within the garment contributes to a noticeable weight gain, especially in garments that have wicking linings.

Nikwax treatments are highly effective and long lasting. We recommend if you have already washed your gear with detergents that you wash the ski clothing again using the Nixwax Tech Wash then treat with an appropriate Nikwax re-waterproofer (such as Nikwax TX.Direct wash in or spray on).  From then on, the garments will withstand 4 to 6 washes using Tech Wash and then will need re-waterproofing again. For an average use of outdoor clothing we recommend that you wash and re-proof your gear at least once a year.

Both my children wear their ski jackets as school coats and get absolutely filthy as they regulary have mud from football matches and den raids usually on the cuffs and sleeves but with regular use of the Nikwax Tech wash and the reproofing using the Nixwax Tx Spray has meant that the jackets were in tip top condition for skiing and I get my moneys worth from the jackets by using them all year round, not just for skiing.

You can buy Nikwax in our accessories section.  All come with a Nikwax dosing ball.