Playing in the snow at Camelback, whether you’re skiing, snowboarding or tubing, is fantastic winter fun! Dressing to stay warm is the secret to an enjoyable day at Camelback in the Winter. Read our how to dress guide below:
Dress in Several Thin Layers
The first layer should be a wicking material to keep moisture away from the skin. For colder days, a fleece top or jacket, or a cotton turtleneck make a good second layer. Kids’ feet should stay dry too! Moisture-wicking socks work great for this purpose. Kids should wear one pair of socks, not more. Multiple pairs wrinkle and bunch up in the boot, causing discomfort.
Waterproof Pants & Jacket
Staying dry while playing in the snow is of the utmost importance. Once the clothes are wet, staying warm is virtually impossible. Remember, there is a difference between “water resistant” clothing and “waterproof” clothing. You can’t always tell by looking. The product descriptions will specify what level of water protection the clothing provides. Depending on how cold it is, you might want to have your child’s pants and jacket both waterproof and insulated for warmth. In Spring conditions, insulation might be too warm.
Waterproof Gloves or Mittens
Just like clothing, not all gloves or mittens are waterproof. The product description will specify if they are waterproof. It has been our experience that mittens are better for young kids. Once kids are old enough to have the dexterity to benefit from each finger, gloves may be a better choice. Mittens are always warmer than gloves.
Goggles or Sunglasses with UV400 Protection
Children may not be as interested as adults are in the fashion aspect of “fashion eyewear”. But because kids spend much more time than most adults do outdoors and in direct sunlight, protecting kids’ eyes from ultraviolet light is especially important.
In fact, many experts believe that our eyes get 80 percent of their total lifetime exposure to the sun’s UV rays by age 18. Since excessive lifetime exposure to UV radiation has been linked to the development of cataracts/other eye problems, it’s never too early for kids to begin wearing good quality sunglasses or goggles outdoors. Lenses in kids’ sunglasses should be clearly marked as capable of providing 100 percent UV protection, with UV400 rated lenses. For many people, goggles are a necessity when it’s snowing or windy. In very cold weather they provide added warmth by covering the face. Additionally, since they attach to the helmet, they are less likely to get lost than sunglasses.
Helmet (for Skiing and Snowboarding)
For all the same reasons your children wear bike helmets, ski helmets are essential for winter safety. If your child wears a ski helmet, remember you may have to raise your voice more to get their attention because the helmet may impede their hearing. Make sure the helmet fits correctly. A ski helmet is not an item you buy for your child to grow into. Educate your child about the benefits and limitations of the helmet. Wearing a helmet doesn’t give permission to ski/snowboard faster or recklessly. If you’re unable to buy one, we do rent helmets for kids. Call our Snowsports School to learn more. If you’re not planning on using a helmet be sure to wear a warm hat. Kids should wear a hat or headband; 80 percent of heat-loss is through the head.
Plenty of Sunscreen and/or Face Covering
Be sure kids wear sun protection, even on cloudy days. The sun reflects off the snow and is stronger than you think! A ski vacation with a sun burn is no fun, trust us. Sunscreen also reduces evaporation and therefore helps prevent frostbite on very cold days. A balaclava, face mask or scarf is the best protection against frostbite. Lastly, winter air is very dry which greatly increases the chance of chapped lips. Plenty of lip balm is a necessity to avoid chapped lips!