A family ski trip involves a lot of kit, and children outgrow most of it fast. This guide goes through skis, boots, helmets, clothing and goggles, and explains when renting at the resort makes sense and when it's worth bringing your own.
Last reviewed: October 2026. We haven’t tested individual products. Prices and rental terms vary by resort and season, so we don’t quote them.
A family ski trip involves an astonishing amount of kit, and children grow out of most of it in a season or two. So the first question for parents is often: what do we rent at the resort, and what do we bring? The answer depends on your children’s ages, how often you’ll ski, how you’re travelling and what fits. This guide goes through each piece of kit and gives a simple way to decide.
Quick answer
- Rent skis, boots and poles for young children in most cases. They outgrow them fast, and rental shops fit them on the day.
- Bring or buy clothing: a ski suit or jacket and trousers, thermals, gloves and socks. These need to fit well and are rarely rented.
- Helmets: rent or bring, but make sure it fits snugly. A helmet from home that already fits is a good reason to bring it.
- Goggles and sunscreen are essential: the World Health Organization (WHO) says fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation, and UV rises with altitude.
- Book rental in advance in busy weeks, especially for small sizes.
Decision table: rent or bring?
| Item | Rent | Bring or buy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skis | Usually | If your child skis several weeks a year | Children grow fast; rental shops adjust length to height and ability |
| Ski boots | Usually | If your child has a hard-to-fit foot or skis often | Fit matters most; try them on with ski socks |
| Poles | Often not needed for small beginners | Many ski schools start young children without poles | |
| Helmet | Possible | If you already have one that fits | Must fit snugly; check the safety standard |
| Goggles | Rarely | Yes | Should fit with the helmet |
| Ski suit or jacket and salopettes | Sometimes, at specialist shops | Usually | Waterproof and warm; second-hand is common |
| Thermals, ski socks, gloves | No | Yes | Bring spares of gloves and socks |
| Sledge, snowshoes | Often at the resort | Rarely worth carrying |
Why renting usually wins for young children
- Growth: boots and skis that fit this year often won’t next year.
- Fit on the day: rental technicians fit boots, set skis for the child’s size and ability, and can swap them if something hurts.
- Travel: ski bags are bulky. Airlines treat ski equipment as sports equipment, often with a fee and size limits, so check before you book.
- Changing needs: a beginner’s equipment differs from what they’ll need a few weeks later.
When bringing your own makes sense
- You ski several weeks a year, or drive to the resort.
- Your child has boots that fit well and are comfortable; comfortable boots matter more than anything else on the first days.
- You’re going in a very busy week when small sizes can run out.
Boots: the most important fit
Cold, sore feet end more children’s ski days than anything else. Wherever the boots come from:
- Try them on with one pair of proper ski socks, not two pairs of normal socks.
- Toes should just touch the front when standing straight and pull back slightly when the child bends their knees.
- Heels shouldn’t lift when the child leans forward.
- Ask your child to walk around for a few minutes before you leave the shop. Children often don’t say something hurts until they’re on the slope.
Helmets
Many ski schools require children to wear helmets, and many families make them a rule for everyone. A helmet must fit snugly, with no gaps, and should not move when the child shakes their head. Look for a recognised safety standard on the label (for example, EN 1077 in Europe). Replace a helmet after a hard impact. If you bring a helmet from home, check it still fits with a thin hat or balaclava underneath, and that the goggles sit well with it.
Clothing: dress in layers
- Base layer: thermal top and leggings, not cotton, which stays wet.
- Mid layer: fleece or thin insulating layer.
- Outer layer: waterproof ski suit, or jacket and salopettes. All-in-one suits keep snow out for small children.
- Gloves or mittens: mittens are warmer for small hands. Bring a spare pair, because wet gloves are cold gloves.
- Neck warmer and thin hat or balaclava under the helmet.
- Ski socks: one pair, with a spare for each day.
Sun and snow glare
The WHO’s guide to the UV Index says fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation, and that UV levels increase by about 10% with every 1,000 metres of altitude. Children’s skin and eyes need protecting even on cloudy days:
- Goggles or sunglasses with full UV protection
- High-factor sunscreen on the face, ears and neck, reapplied often; the NHS recommends at least SPF 30 with 4-star UVA protection
- Lip balm with SPF
Practical tips
- Book rental and ski school early for school holidays.
- Pick up rental the afternoon before the first ski day, so mornings aren’t rushed.
- Label everything that’s yours, especially gloves and goggles.
- Short days at first: young children tire quickly in the cold. A morning lesson and an afternoon of sledging or swimming is a full day.
- Snacks and drinks: skiing uses a lot of energy.
- Dry everything overnight: boots, gloves and socks. Ask whether your accommodation has a boot room or dryers.
Shopping by category
For the things you’ll bring, these Amazon searches cover the main categories: kids’ ski goggles, kids’ thermal base layers, waterproof ski mittens, kids’ ski socks and kids’ ski helmets. We haven’t tested these products and don’t rank them. Check the safety standard on helmets.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Next steps
For winter clothing for younger children, see our cold-weather packing list for toddlers. For a winter trip without skis, our Lapland with kids guide covers dressing for the Arctic.
Final thoughts
Rent skis and boots for young children in most cases, bring well-fitting clothing, gloves, socks and goggles, make sure helmets fit snugly, and protect faces and eyes from snow glare. Book rental and ski school early in busy weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy or rent skis for my child?
For most young children, rent. They grow fast, and rental shops fit equipment to their size and ability. Buying makes more sense if they ski several weeks a year.
Do children need a ski helmet?
Many ski schools require one, and it's widely recommended. It must fit snugly and carry a recognised safety standard.
Can I rent children's ski clothing?
Sometimes, at specialist shops, but most families bring their own. Thermals, gloves and socks are always brought from home.
How do I protect my child from the sun when skiing?
Goggles or sunglasses with full UV protection, high-factor sunscreen and lip balm. The WHO says fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation.
What age can children start skiing?
It varies by ski school; many offer lessons for young children. Ask the ski school for its minimum age and what it requires.
