Guide • Stramus Bear's World
Clothing and equipment
A child who is cold will not learn to ski — they will be counting the minutes until the lesson ends. Warm, comfortable clothing is the first step to a successful lesson.
Three layers
Helmet compulsory
No cotton
The three-layer rule
1
First layera thermal base layer that wicks sweat away from the skin. Give up cotton: it soaks up moisture and sticks to the body, and a wet child gets cold within minutes
2
Second layera fleece or a thin sweatshirt that holds the warmth in. In frost below minus ten degrees, two thin layers keep you warmer than one thick one
3
Third layera jacket and trousers with a membrane, protecting against wind and snow. They must let vapour through, otherwise the child will get wet from the inside
How to get ready for a lesson
- Helmet because safety comes first
- Goggles we recommend them especially in sunshine or falling snow
- Ski gloves plus a spare pair in the rucksack
- Thermal base layer top and bottom
- Ski socks one pair, long, not two ordinary pairs
- Jacket and trousers with a membrane ideally with detachable braces
- Sun cream snow reflects the rays in winter too
- A small snack and water a child uses more energy in the cold
The most common mistakes
Avoid
- Two pairs of ordinary socks — they press on the foot inside the boot, restrict circulation and speed up chilling.
- A cotton sweatshirt under the jacket — it holds moisture against the body, so the child gets cold quickly.
- A hat under the helmet — it spoils the fit of the helmet and reduces protection (we recommend a balaclava).
- An oversized jacket — it limits freedom, restricts movement and lets in cold air.
Rent or buy
When a child first tries skiing, renting is the most economical solution. Children grow extremely fast, and the equipment has to match their current height and weight, which means replacing it every year. A complete ski or snowboard set — including a helmet and goggles — can be rented on site, at the foot of Nosal.
