Hello all!

Our family of five will travel from S. Florida to Park City UT at the end of March/beginning of April. Our three girls (11, 13, 15) have never seen snow! We are so excited but don't know what we will need for the trip. What sort of cold weather clothing should we bring? Do we need helmets for skiing, snowmobiling, etc? I am sure you will all have some great ideas. Thanks!!!

Although there could be some late season snowfall, it's more likely that the weather will be warmer than you imagine. The daytime temps could be cool by Florida standards (low 50s), but if skies are clear the sun will be very intense and warm. If it's a winter with less snow, there may not be snowmobiling offered that late in the season.

Helmets are a matter of personal preference. Girls are usually not the reckless type of skier, especially as beginners. Some parents are more worried about other skiers' behavior.

You'll need ski clothes, but ask for spring skiing weights. Do not ski in jeans. Get moisture-wicking long underwear (top and bottom), ski pants, light-weight layers for the top half and jackets. You'll also need hats, gloves, ski socks and quality sunglasses (or goggles). You can wear the same jackets, hats and gloves at night, plus jeans and warm sweaters. If you don't already have the ski clothes, I'd wait another month when sales could start to appear.

Forgot to add sunblock to your shopping list. 30-40SPF.

1. MARVELOUS location!
2. Don't purchase any real winter clothes, at that time it will be warm by winter standards. Try to BORROW from friends/family since you don't really know if the family will enjoy skiing.
3. ABSOLUTELY sign up for ski school, at least 2 days, otherwise it will be a total waste.

Jope you get hooked on skiing!

We are from Florida and leave at the end of the week for Deer Valley. You and your family will love it there!

I think the end of March, ski season will be winding down and as others said the temps are higher (so not as many layers are needed)and snow might be slushier. Some of the other mountains like Alta might be better for snow but not in terms of beginners slopes.

You can rent helmits etc and that might be the way to go until you know if the girls will like skiing. It will become very costly to buy everything and then decide you don't like it.

I know Kohls Dept store was clearancing out all their jackets here in Florida for dirt cheap, so that would be a good place to start. Burlington Coat Factory had pants and jackets for cheap as well. Water/wind proof gloves or better yet mittens (thumb and 4 fingers) are needed on the snow. Check Peter Glenn or Sports Authority.

One place I like to rent ski's from is Destination Sports. They will come fit you and your family at the condo, which is convienient when you have kids that can get antsy. It's slightly more, but for us who has little tots, it's worth it. For you it may be easy just to go to their storefront.

As others said, you wont need many layers but an important one would be the wicking layer (Like Patagonia or Hot Chilis) to wick away the sweat so you don't get cold. You can buy those at the sports store or on the internet.

I hope this helps! Have fun! Report back so we know how the conditions were in late March.

Because it's late in the season and Park City doesn't hold snow like Little Cottonwood, I would recommend to be prepared to head to Alta/Snowbird instead. I skied Apr 14th last year in PC and snow was sparse. So far this year, Snowbird has gotten twice as much snow.

One recommendation I disagree with is renting a helmet. Besides being marginally sanitary...when you fall in a helmet, the interior is meant to crush to absorb the fall. ONce this happens, you should either throw away the helmet and get a new one, or some manufacturers will replace the interior for nominal/no charge. You can't tell by inspection whether the helmet interior has been compromised and when you rent a helmet, you really don't know if it will protect you. TJMaxx sells helmets cheap, maybe not in Florida. In any case, especially for the kids, I'd recommend buying a new helmet. Save money by borrowing clothing if possible.

Loki makes a good point about the helmit (same principle as a car seat).

Since FLorida is already clearancing their ski stuff, you maybe able to find some on sale. I got my daughters at Peter Glenn during a sale but Sports Authority or some place like that maybe a good place to look.

If you decide to buy helmets, I bought my kids helmets that could be used for bikes as well as snowboarding. It came with removeable pads for the cold weather. They work great!

I have learned SO much from reading your posts! I will continue to watch for responses to my question. Thank you all!!

One more question about the helmets -- what sort of helmets would be good for winter sports? Do people wear bike helmets or something specific for the activity?

Again -- thanks and please keep it coming!

XOXO

Alpaca,

A ski helmet looks much more like a motorcycle helmet. Actually, I doubt if your family will progress to the point where helmets are really necessary. You'll be skiing on fairly flat, wide runs at low speeds. You will be much more likely to fall down before hitting a tree. The ski school will teach you how to fall safely - on your butt.

Although, there are always the other skiers/boarders to watch out for too. That type of collision is much more likely for everyone regardless of skill level.

Don't worry overmuch about it though, in all my years and thousands of days skiing, I've only crashed with someone twice. Once my fault, once the other person's.

UT had a very early, very warm spring last season. The snow was melted by mid-March. NOT the norm. Usually spring skiing is great in UT, but always better in the Cottonwoods that in Park City. The Cottonwood Canyons get way more snow and are at a higher elevation, so even April skiing at Snowbird and Alta is really, really good. In fact, April is the second biggest precip month (March is first) in a normal year.

Bring your goggles and bring your sunscreen - you'll need both.

PS - they just gave the snowfall report for December on the news last night. We had 237% of normal for the month of December, and they are predicting another 3 feet this weekend. We're off to a good start!

alpaca,

Please check but I'm pretty sure Deer Valley requires helmets for ski school. Park City maybe the same. You can call and ask.

Dayle is right about Alta and Snowbird having more snow but they are really not for brand newbies. There is one small part of the mountain on Alta (Albion Base) that might be ok but I would recommend getting into a ski school and not trying on their own.

Good luck and get those clearance clothes. They are advertising like crazy here to get rid of the winter stuff.

I agree with Allie about Alta, but I do think that Snowbird is great for kids. My father and my uncle starting bring me and my cousins here as young kids and all learned to ski in their excellent ski program. Snowbird has lots of open blue/green territory, and their kids program is AMAZING. Some of my best childhood memories were in ski school at Snowbird!

You're killing me, Dayle! With that kind of start it ought to be an awesome season.

Ski a run for me and enjoy it.

There are companies that make helmets specifically for skiing, Giro and Bern are among the more popular brands. If you don't need a particular model based on fashion, check backcountryoutlet.com, reioutlet.com and www.sierratradingpost.com for significant discounts on last year's models (not used, new old stock). You might find something in the $40-$75 range.

Also, another thumbs up for the Snowbird ski school. Wife and I took lessons there last year and both had great instructors at different skill levels. Unlike most places I've experienced...they pay close attention to your skill level when creating classes and aren't afraid to break it up so much, that you end up with a private lesson for the price of a group. I eneded up going out solo with an instructor and my wife only had one other student in her "class".

Snowbird has a free guide service every day where you meet at a certain location and a mountain guide will take you up and give you some tips on accessing the terrain so if parents are experienced, the parents can go with the guide while the kids are in ski school and the guide can show you how to access the easier terrain off the tram and chairs.

Hey alpaca3:

The kids will have a ball! One thing to add to all the great information you have been getting is that there is two ways to ski. Regular "two skis" and "snowboarding".

The kids all want to "snowboard" these days! If your kids 'skateboard' now in FLA, that would make the learning curve so much easier!

I am an expert skier (two skiis) and once had a "snowboard" lesson....I got a new respect for the 'Bunny Slope"!!
If I was starting out today in my ski life, "snowboarding" would be my sport!!

John