Kids ski gear

[courtdizzle]

any reccomendations for ski gear? We will be skiing some this year for the first time and I don't know where to start.  Basically coat, snow pants, mittens for my son who will be 4 and me. What brands are good? Bibs or pants? Do you need special socks? I'm hoping he can wear his bike helmet (nutcase). Anything else?
thanks!

[dizzycooks]

No bike helmet! Ski helmets cover much more and help keep his head warm. I like bibs for kids because they don't snow down their pants warm socks - wool is good and ski socks have padding around the shins so the boots are more comfortable.

[courtdizzle]

This is the bike helmet he has. He would need some sort of ear warmth but it seems like it could work?
store.nutcasehelmets.com/collections/bike/products/atlantic-blue-matte

[dizzycooks]

Search bike helmets for skiing. There are plenty of sites that explain why it's a bad idea or insufficient. I really wouldn't do it. My H teaches skiing and they aren't allowed on the hill he works at. Id link but mobile sucks

[4speedy]

I really think you are going to want a ski helmet. They fit differently because they are made to fit over a fleece liner or skull cap. I think you will want that for your son. You can buy a decent ski helmet on sale for 40 bucks. Without something warm and comfortable you run the risk of your son being miserable and hating his first ski experience.

[gastro]

A proper ski helmet will probably be one of the cheapest parts of skiing so definitely get one. DS has a nutcase helmet too and it would not work on the slopes.
DS has REI brand and Patagonia for ski bib and jacket. My mom found an awesome Columbia brand ski bib and jacket at Ross when he was younger.
Get all the gear to make sure he stays warm and dry. Once he is wet or cold he will hate skiing.

Edit: can you borrow gear from a friend if you don't want to buy? We ski a few weekends out of the year as do many of our friends. Last year two of my friends borrowed DS's snow boots and bib/jacket when they went up on weekends we did not.

[InBetweenDays]

As others have said, you'll want an actual ski helmet. Depending on how cold it is where you ski, I'd also recommend a balaclava. Keeps their ears and neck covered and warm. You'll also want to get him goggles.

For clothing our kids wear synthetic long underwear, a 3/4 zip fleece top, and insulated ski pants and jackets. I'd invest in some decent socks - if his feet are cold he'll be miserable.

[chatterbox]

Are you renting the actual skis? The helmet should come with the rental for free.

[courtdizzle]

We are renting skis this year so good idea about renting a helmet.
We are only skiing twice but we live in snow country so a snowsuit will get tons of use. I just wasn't sure if there was a reason for or against pants vs bibs. I think I'll get bibs because of the added coverage.
Any thought on coats with hoods? I'm looking at a lands end coat but the hood doesn't detatch. Also there are two lengths of coat. One that ends at the hip and one at the waist. Any benefit to one above the other?
What do you like to wear as an adult? Bibs or pants?
I know I'm probably over thinking all this but it's expensive and I want to buy the right stuff. Thanks!

[dizzycooks]

As an adult I have pants, not bibs and my coat is right at my hips, not long, but definitely to my pants pockets. I still think bibs are probably a better plan, given more coverage, but I prefer the ease of pants.

[InBetweenDays]

As an adult I much prefer pants to bibs. I don't want to have to take off my jacket to take off my bibs to pee.