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If you’re ready to start your toddler out on skis, I’m ready to be your biggest cheerleader! Skiing babies and toddlers are my absolute favorite and I’m convinced there’s nothing cuter. I started teaching babies and toddlers to ski in my job as a ski instructor and most of my own kids were on skis at 18 months. Ski gear has come a LONG WAY in the last 2 decades and I’m thrilled to see performance winter gear for little kids showing up more and more. After all, kids who are comfortable and warm outside from a young age are so much more likely to want to keep doing that for the rest of their life.
Before you head out for your first ski day with your toddler or baby, I just want to remind you how INCREDIBLE you are! There might be people who say you’re crazy for bringing such a little one to the slopes, but don’t let that get to you. Sharing your passions with your kids is one of the greatest gifts you can give as a parent—so embrace it wholeheartedly. No, you’re not raising an Olympic skier right now, but you are helping to build their confidence and showing them how deeply they are loved. Keep your expectations low, pack plenty of treats, enjoy all the hot chocolate, and remind both your little one (and yourself) how amazing you’re doing!
Make sure you read:
Skiing with a Baby in Tow
Our Secret Way for Teaching Toddlers to Ski (It’s SO GOOD)
Should Kids Use an Edgie Wedgie?
How to Use a Ski Harness the Right Way
Best Age to Teach Kids to Ski
A Note About Getting Ski Gear for Toddlers
Finding ski gear for toddlers can be HARD! Companies simply don’t make a lot of tiny ski gear, so it often sells out QUICKLY! If you see something that’s in your budget, it’s wise to grab it fast. Not everything will fit perfectly, but that’s okay – just do your best to find something that works. The one piece of gear that I think needs to fit well is a ski helmet, so chose that one wisely. For the rest of the gear, you can get away with something a little big until they grow into an easier-to-find size.
Best Ski Helmets for Toddlers
We always encourage parents to put helmets on their kids whenever possible. When our teens were babies, having kids wear helmets wasn’t as common, but we’re so thankful it’s become mainstream and easy to find toddler ski helmets. This is the one piece of ski gear that you need to fit correctly. Sadly, most stores don’t carry much variety for little kids helmets. I recommend ordering a good one online, but also knowing that it might be easier to order a couple and then return the ones that don’t fit as well.
To ensure a toddler’s ski helmet fits properly, start by checking its position on their forehead. The helmet should sit no more than 1-2 finger widths above their eyebrows. If it’s higher, the helmet is too small. Next, have them shake their head from side to side. The helmet should stay snug and not move around. If it stays secure without wobbling, you’ve found the right fit!
Our top recommended ski helmets for toddlers and babies are the Giro helmets (we’ve tried several and love them all). There are a few variations of them, but for all 5 of my kids (with a variety of head shapes), and most of our friends, these are the best little ski helmets you can find.
Best Ski Goggles for Toddlers and Babies
Finding good ski goggles for toddlers can be a challenge, but the Outdoor Master Happy Valley goggles are an excellent option for young kids. They’re affordable, and fit smaller faces well. They’re some of the smallest baby ski goggles that don’t restrict vision (which most of the really tiny pairs do). They’re also a good enough size that they can still work for kids up until about age 7. Our 4-year-old loves his dinosaur-themed goggles, and with a wide variety of designs for boys and girls, they cater to kids with strong opinions. These are some of the best budget-friendly ski goggles for toddlers, and we highly recommend them!
Best Toddler Skis
When choosing skis for a 1- or 2-year-old, it’s important to find the right size, though options for very small toddlers can be limited. The smallest skis are typically 67 cm, with occasional 70 cm options, and more commonly 80 cm. If you find toddler skis, grab them—they’ve been selling out quickly and restocks are rare until the next season. Ideally, the skis should reach between your child’s chest and chin, but shorter skis are easier for toddlers to manage, so smaller is almost always better in this case.
I’ll list some good online options, but checking your local FB marketplace or used gear shops is also a great option. We’ve always been able to resell our used kids skis for close to what we buy them for, so it’s been a great investment for our family. While older kids often need a new pair of skis each season, toddlers can usually use the same pair for a couple of years (until they’re getting really good or their skis come much below their upper chest).
If you’re looking for a new pair of toddler skis, Evo is where you want to look. They have the best online selection for toddler skis and carry more inventory than other stores!
Ski Training Tools for Toddlers
Do you need lots of fancy training tools to teach a toddler to ski? Nope? But spending a little bit of money on two, is one of the best investments you’ll make into skiing with kids.
The first is an edgie wedgie. It’s a small elasticized connector that holds kids ski tips together, to help them make a wedge to stop. I’ve never met a tiny skier who has not significantly benefited from using one of these. They’re only about $10-15, and so helpful and simple to use. Read all of our best tips for using an edgie wedgie here.
The other tool that we recommend is a ski harness, however, it’s one you need to be careful with. Most parents use them incorrectly, which resluts in lots of bad habits and bigger problems for their little skiers. If you’re going to use a ski harness (which I highly recommend), read this ski harness use article first!
Best Toddler Ski Boots
When it comes to toddler ski boots, there aren’t a lot of options and even less that are great. Most toddler ski boots are just small versions of adult boots, with the exception of the Fischer One. It’s also important to keep in mind that most companies don’t make kids ski boots smaller than a mondo size 14.5 or 15.5 (US size 7-8), so depending on how young you start skiing with your kids, they’ll likely be using boots that are a little big for them.
While we really encourage parents to make sure that their kids ski boots have a great fit, it’s just not possible for most toddlers. Do your best to find a good fit that’s in your budget and also keep in mind that toddlers aren’t doing too much on skis, so it’s okay to save getting them amazing ski boots until they’re a little bit older.
The Fischer One is a game-changer for beginner skiers, and it’s easily the most innovative toddler ski boot we’ve seen in over a decade. Designed for a child’s first time on snow, it offers a secure, comfortable fit with minimal weight and just the right stiffness for little skiers. We love the soft, wide entry, which makes getting tiny feet in and out of the boots a breeze. Plus, the waterproof two-layer gaiter keeps feet warm and dry all day long. If these boots live up to their promises, they might just be the best toddler ski boots on the market! We’ll update this review once we’ve had a chance to test them.
Other good options for toddler ski boots:
Salomon T1 Ski Boots 14.5, 15, 16
These are the smallest kids ski boots on the market and the best toddler ski boots for really little feet. The one buckle design makes them really easy to get on and off. I recommend buying them FAST, as these often sell out quickly!
Dalbello Menace 1.0 Size 14.5, 15.5 and 16.5
These are great toddler ski boots if your kids have slightly smaller feet. We also love that they’re an affordable kids ski boot as well. As with the other kids boots above, these kids ski boots will likely sell out FAST!
How to Dress Babies and Toddlers for Skiing
What your little one wears out on the ski hill can make the difference between a great day, and one that’s filled with tears. Mostly it comes down to keeping them warm and comfortable, especially since little kids usually can’t communicate very well if they’re cold or uncomfortable.
As a general rule of thumb, you want to dress your kids in layers according to how cold it is. We avoid cotton as much as possible (keeps kids super cold if it gets wet), and love wool or synthetics to pull moisture away from the body while still keeping kids warm. We’ve tried more ski gear than I can even list in the last 16 years, and these are the pieces of clothing that we’ve found to work the best for skiing babies and toddlers.
Best Toddler and Baby Snowsuits
For toddlers and babies, we always recommend kids wear snowsuits for ski days. We love that snowsuits are easy to get on and off, can be layered underneath easily, and they keep kids warmer than a coat and snow pants. Our kids have gone through TONS of snowsuits, but in the end, we keep coming back to Reimas snowsuits, which are the gold standard for kids outerwear. Here are our favorite snowsuits for babies and toddlers.
Reima Stavanger
Sizes 2T-10 (runs large, so you’ll get multiple years of use from it)
The Reima Stavanger is hands down our favorite snowsuit for kids. After three years of heavy use, we passed it down to our cousin, and they thought it wasn’t brand new! This snowsuit is practically indestructible with abrasion resistant fabric and always keep my kids warm and cozy from morning until night. This snowsuit has been a total game-changer.
The kids love it so much that they don’t even want to come inside for lunch—they just don’t get cold in their Reima snowsuits!
Even after muddy or slushy adventures, most of the mess just brushes right off. The bootstraps are a nice touch too, keeping snow from sneaking in at the ankles, which is super nice with tiny little kids. All in all, this snowsuit keeps them warm, dry, and happy, no matter how much they play.
Reima Lappi
Sizes 9 months – 3T
The Reima Lappi is another top pick for toddler snowsuits, and the quality and cuteness are unbeatable. While it shares many similarities with the Reima Stavanger, the Lappi is made with a slightly lighter-weight material that offers more flexibility and comfort for younger kids, even though it’s not as abrasion-resistant. It’s one of our go-to choices for keeping toddlers extra warm in cold weather.
The designs are absolutely adorable, with bold colors and patterns and a cozy fur-lined hood that’s hard to resist. Made in Finland, this snowsuit is built for long days outside, even when the weather takes a turn. It also runs a little large, which means you can likely get 2 to 3 seasons of use out of it. We suggest ordering your child’s usual size for the best fit.
Best Mittens for Toddlers
For toddlers, we always recommend that they wear mittens instead of gloves. Not only are mittens warmer, but they are su much easier for little kids to put on. Here are our favorite toddler and baby mittens.
Chopper Mill Mittens
If I could design the perfect mitten, it would be exactly what Chopper Mill has created. These mittens are truly my dream mittens, and they come in sizes from toddler to adult! Made by an outdoor-loving mom in chilly Minnesota, the construction and quality are outstanding. She was frustrated with mittens that didn’t keep her kids’ hands warm enough, so she decided to make her own—and we’re so glad she did!
These mittens combine leather and performance-waterproof fabric, offering both durability and flexibility with excellent grip. The extra-long cuffs keep snow out, while the cinch-up cuff strap and webbed wrist strap ensure a snug, warm fit. The Chopper Mill Re-Pair Program is a game changer—if your child loses a mitten, they’ll replace it for free! They also come with mini carabiners for easy clipping, and the removable personalized patch feature lets kids keep their custom patches as they grow. These mittens are a must-have for any family!
Stonz Toddler Mittz
I’ve been a fan of Stonz mittens for years, and their toddler mittens are just as impressive as their youth versions. They’re incredibly warm and dry, with extra-long cuffs that do a fantastic job of keeping snow out. These mittens are some of the most waterproof we’ve ever found, so even if your kids likes to grab slush out of a puddle, they’ll still have dry hands. When it comes to warmth, these mittens are top-notch.
Even after hours of playing in the snow, my kids’ hands stay warm, making them an excellent choice for cold-weather adventures. They’re also windproof, which adds to their overall effectiveness in keeping little hands comfortable.At around $50, Stonz mittens offer great value for their high quality. Although they’re a bit stiffer than other options, the waterproof protection and warmth they provide make them the best winter mittens for toddlers in my opinion.
The Stonz Baby Mittz are the best baby snow mittens we’ve ever used. We love the thumbless design because they’re easy to get on and babies fingers can stay in a more natural shape.They’re simple to put on, stay securely in place, and keep little hands super warm. After trying various mittens with my five kids, these are the only thumbless, waterproof baby mittens that truly work. They’re made with high-quality materials and are perfect for babies up to 2 years old. If you’re planning any winter adventures with your baby, these mittens are a must-have to keep their hands toasty and dry!
Best Ski Socks for Toddlers
After much trial and error (and going through plenty of less-than-great socks), we finally discovered the perfect ski socks for toddlers and babies: the Smartwool Wintersport Socks. These wool socks fit tiny toddler feet really well, providing excellent insulation to keep little toes warm. What sets them apart is that they actually stay in place, unlike most other toddler ski socks that tend to slip down. Regardless of whether I put them on one of my kids with skinny legs or their chubby sibling, these are hands down the best ski socks for babies and toddlers. As a great added bonus, they seem to last forever. We have a couple of pairs that have gone through 4 kids before being passed down to their little cousins.
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Our Favorite Base Layers for Babies and Toddlers
People often forget how important base layers are when dressing toddlers for cold weather, but they’re key to keeping kids warm. I’ve found that wool base layers are the best, providing great warmth and a comfortable fit, and they always stretch well so they work great with fast-growing kids. We even use them as pajamas, so they get plenty of use throughout the year. My go-to brands for toddler base layers are Chasing Windmills and Iksplor.
Chasing Windmills wool base layers are incredibly durable and they’re my top pick for kids who are hard on clothes. They have reinforced knees and have been the longest lasting merino wool we’ve ever found. If you’re looking for extra soft base layers, I highly recommend the ribbed merino wool!
Iksplor base layers are also made of Merino wool and they’re the easiest to layer over. The merino wool is so soft and smooth and it’s my favorite brand when kids are still wearing full outfit on top since they’re the perfect combination of warmth and form fitting.
Mid layers for Skiing with Toddler and Babies
A mid-layer is the extra insulating layer that you’ll have your kids wear depending on the weather. On a warmer ski day, they might just wear a base layer and a snowsuit, or on a really cold day, a warm fleece or wool set can keep them super cozy. Here are some of our favorite mid-layers for kids
Iksplor Zippy
The one-piece merino wool zippy from Iksplor is one of the best mid layers for babies. It’s made of a thicker merino wool than a base layer and does a great job of insulating. The softness is great, and the quality is outstanding!
Iksplor Adventure Mid-Layers
Made with the same heavier merino wool as the bay zippy, the Iksplor mid-layers are a great option for kids who are a little bigger. This set has joggers and a hoodie and my kids wear both pieces all throughout the year!
Reima Parvin Wool One Piece Mid Layer
This is another great option for a wool one-pice midlayer. It’s thick and super warm, so your kids will love this on chilly days. We love that it’s generously sized so it’s easy to use as a layering piece on really cold days. This is one of the warmest mid layers you can buy for toddlers!
Reima Haaveilu Fleece Jumpsuit
This fleece jumpsuit for kids is so fantastic. With a cozy knit on the outside and a soft fleece on the inside, you’ll quickly fall in love with this suit. The ribbed cuffs help keep it in place, even if it’s a little big! We use a bigger version of this as a jacket for my tweens and the quality is outstanding (passing a jacket through 3, 10-year-olds is no joke).
