Get ready for a family ski holiday

The ski holiday is booked – and the countdown to a week or two away on the white stuff is on. So now you just need to make sure your family is kitted out in ski clothing and equipment and ready for the off. We bring you a guide to everything your family will need for a ski holiday   Ski and snowboard clothing: You do not need to go mad (unless you have a bottomless wallet), especially as kids have a tendency to grow out of the clothes from one year to the next. If you have a number of children you could buy clothes for the older children with the view to handing them down to the younger kids. One cost-saving tip is to buy a ski jacket that doubles as a school jacket. The same goes for hats and gloves. Or buy children snazzy ski jackets for a Christmas or birthday present. If you are on a budget, remember to keep an eye on ski clothing websites in the spring when they will be selling off last season’s stock. All in the detail: Children get cold on the ski slopes far quicker than adults. It’s worth investing in ski pants with bibs or higher waist and braces to keep them extra warm while on holiday. Add a decent baselayer and good-quality ski socks. For little ones: An all-in-one ski outfit is the best choice for younger children, and older children who really do suffer with the chills. These keep them extra warm and you know that if they are messing around and throw themselves into a big pile of snow that they will stay dry. Get a service: Skis and snowboards will benefit from being edged and waxed. While you’re in the shop ask for your kit to be checked over, especially the bindings to ensure there are no loose bolts. Small adjustments: If you’re a family that owns their own boots but hires skis make sure all the boots fit before heading off overseas. It could be a pricey mistake to arrive in a ski resort to find one or two children have grown a shoe size. If you also own skis, make sure the bindings are adjusted to fit your ski boots, especially if the kids have been lucky enough to receive new boots as a gift. Helmets: Hire or buy but ensure they children have ski or snowboard helmets. If they are attending ski lessons they will definitely require to wear a ski or snowboard helmet. If they’re off skiing with you it’s a good idea to protect their heads with a good helmet. And you might want to set them a good example by buying a helmet for yourself, too?! Learning curve: Ski lessons before you head off on holiday are a great idea for beginners and a good idea for skiing improvers. Once in the ski resort you will most likely be keen for your children to attend lessons, too. It’s worth booking these ahead in busy school holiday times. Ask you ski booking agent or go online and check out the lessons on offer at the resort itself.