For a ski trip with kids, pack the layers and rent the hardware. Bring two sets of base layers per child, one warm mid layer, a waterproof jacket and bibs, mittens with a spare pair, a neck gaiter, thin ski socks, a helmet and goggles. Rent skis, boots and poles at the resort, because children outgrow them in a season. Then add the small things that matter most on a cold day: hand warmers, sunscreen, lip balm and snacks in every pocket.
Kids skiing Snowmass Mountain
A ski day with children goes well or badly for reasons that have nothing to do with skiing. Cold hands. A wet glove at ten in the morning. Socks bunched inside a boot. Nobody ate breakfast. Get those right and a six-year-old will ski happily until the lifts close. Get them wrong and you're in the lodge by eleven.
Our kids are six and nine, and ski at least 50 days every year. This is what they use to ski. We've stopped packing for every possibility and started packing for the three things that end a day early, which are cold, wet and hungry.
Every pick on The Boujist is independent. No brand or hotel has paid for placement.
The one thing to pack twice: Hestra Mittens
The thing everyone forgets: Glowstick Sunscreen
The best thing to rent: Skis and boots
The thing that saves the day: Hand warmers. We love these cute rechargable ones.
What to Rent, Not Pack
Skis, boots and poles. Children grow out of boots in a season and out of skis in two. Renting at the resort means the gear fits this week, it's tuned, and you're not hauling a ski bag through an airport with a tired child. Most resorts discount rentals if you book ahead. At Aspen Snowmass it's 20% off when you reserve 30 days out and 10% at seven days.
Helmets, sometimes. Rental shops have them, and they're fine. We bring our own because a helmet that fits well and that your kid has chosen is one they'll keep on without a fight. If you rent, try it with their goggles to check there's no gap at the forehead.
What They Wear on the Mountain
Base layers, two sets each. Top and bottom, snug, in merino wool or a synthetic. Never cotton. Cotton holds sweat and gets cold, and a cold child is done for the day. Two sets means one is always dry. We love this set that’s under $20.
One mid layer. A fleece or a light insulated jacket that goes between the base layer and the shell. On warm spring days it comes off and goes in a backpack. This is one of our favorite options.
A waterproof jacket and bibs. For kids under about ten, bibs beat ski pants every time. They keep snow out when your child sits down in it, which they will, and they stay up without a belt. Check that the jacket has a pass pocket on the sleeve. We love the Aspen-based brand, Obermeyer for their cute prints and durability. Their one-piece suits ensure no snow gets into their core.
Mittens, and a spare pair. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers share heat. They're also easier to get onto small hands. Pack a second pair for each child, because the first pair will be wet by lunch.
A balclava. We like the ones that go over the head for more coverage, but still fit under a helmet.
Ski socks, one thin pair at a time. This is the mistake nearly everyone makes. Two pairs of thick socks cut off circulation and make feet colder. One thin, tall ski sock, pulled up smooth with nothing tucked into the boot, is warmer. Pack a fresh pair for each ski day.
Goggles. One pair with an all-purpose lens is enough. We like the Anon goggles that connect to a facemask with a magnet.
What Goes in Their Pockets
Hand warmers. The disposable kind. One in each mitten on a cold morning buys you two more hours of skiing. Bring more than you think you need.
Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF. The sun is far stronger at altitude, and snow bounces it back up under chins and noses. A stick sunscreen is easiest to reapply on a chairlift.
Snacks. Something in every jacket pocket. A granola bar on the lift fixes most problems before they start. Our kids also love to lick gummy bears and stick them to their helmets to eat on the chairlift.
A card with your phone number. Tucked in a zipped pocket, for younger kids. Ski schools usually tag children, but a backup costs nothing.
What They Wear Off the Mountain
Snow boots. Waterproof, warm and easy to pull on. They'll live in these whenever they're not in ski boots. You can’t go wrong with a classic Sorel or Uggs.
A swimsuit. Nearly every ski hotel has a heated pool or a hot tub, and for kids that's the best part of the day. It's the item most often left at home.
Something comfortable for dinner. Ski towns are relaxed. Even in Aspen, jeans and a sweater are fine almost everywhere.
A warm hat and a second pair of mittens or gloves. For walking around town at night and your ski gloves are still drying out.
What We Bring for the Room
Moisturizer and saline spray. Mountain air is very dry, and nosebleeds and cracked lips are common in the first few days. Many hotels will lend you a humidifier if you ask.
A big waterproof tote. For carrying helmets, goggles, mittens and spare layers to and from the slopes. It keeps the small things together, which is half the battle. We use this one as it’s large enough to carry most of our gear.
How to Pack It
Wear the bulkiest things on the plane: snow boots, ski jacket, a fleece. That alone frees up half a suitcase. Pack each child's ski-day outfit together, base layers, socks and mid layer rolled as one bundle, so mornings are a matter of handing over a bundle. Put one full set of ski clothes per person in your carry-on, along with helmets and goggles. If a checked bag goes missing, you can rent skis and boots in ten minutes, but you can't easily replace a jacket and bibs that fit.
Label everything, especially if they’re going to ski school.
Where to Stay to Make It Easier
The single best thing you can do for a family ski trip isn't in the suitcase. It's booking somewhere ski-in, ski-out, so nobody is carrying skis across a parking lot. In the Aspen area that means Snowmass.
Limelight Snowmass is our top pick for families in Base Village, with the ice rink right outside. Check rates at Limelight Hotel Snowmass—>
Viceroy Snowmass has true ski-in, ski-out access and suits families who want more space. Check rates at Viceroy Snowmass—>
Ski-in, ski-out rooms in Snowmass cost more than a room in town, often by a few hundred dollars a night in peak weeks, and with small children it's worth it. Our guides to the best hotels in Snowmass Village and the best ski-in, ski-out hotels in Colorado have more options.
When to Book, and When to Go
Book ski school before anything else. It sells out for Christmas, Presidents' week and spring break. Reserve rentals a month ahead for the best discount. At Aspen Snowmass, kids six and under ski free all season.
March is the easiest month to ski with children. It's warmer, the days are longer, and you can pack lighter. January is the coldest, so that's when the spare mittens and hand warmers earn their place.
How The Boujist Makes Money
We pay for our own stays. We never take comps, hosted trips or paid placements. When you book through some of the hotel links on this page, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and we also run display ads. Neither one decides what we recommend. You can read more on our about page.
FAQ
What should kids wear skiing? A snug base layer, a fleece mid layer, a waterproof jacket and bibs, mittens, a neck gaiter, one pair of thin ski socks, a helmet and goggles.
Should I buy or rent ski gear for kids? Rent skis, boots and poles. Children outgrow them quickly. Buy the clothing, since it has to fit well and you'll use it off the mountain too.
Are mittens or gloves better for kids skiing? Mittens. They're warmer because fingers share heat, and they're easier to put on small hands.
How many layers do kids need for skiing? Three: a base layer, a mid layer and a waterproof outer layer. Take the mid layer off on warm days.
How many pairs of ski socks should kids wear? One thin pair. Two pairs or thick socks restrict circulation and make feet colder.
Do kids need sunscreen for skiing? Yes, even in midwinter. The sun is stronger at altitude and reflects off the snow.
What should I pack in my carry-on for a ski trip? One full set of ski clothing per person, plus helmets and goggles, in case checked bags are delayed.
Do kids ski free at Aspen Snowmass? Children six and under ski free at all four mountains.