As we make our way through another winter in OC, many of our Ocean Pediatrics families are planning fun & frosty ski trips! Skiing is a wonderful way to get your little ones to experience the great outdoors, even during the winter. But it’s not without its risks — especially when it comes to younger, less experienced skiers. That’s why we’ve put together a list of practical skiing and snowboarding safety tips that you can use to keep your little ones smiling, and safe, all the way down the mountain. 

Helmets

When it comes to skiing for kids, the single most important piece of equipment you’ll need to purchase is a proper ski helmet. While your local mountain may look like fluffy white peaks of soft snow, there is also rock-hard ice, large trees and even exposed stone that could pose a serious ski risk. So no matter their age or skill level, your entire family needs appropriate gear to protect them from dangerous head injuries. And before you take them up, make sure it’s snug and securely fastened. 

Clothing

Even at some of our local Southern California ski spots, it can get mighty cold up at the top of those runs. That’s why it’s essential to wrap your children in multiple layers of waterproof and warm clothing, including long sleeved undergarments, thick socks and hefty ski gloves or mittens. Try and shop for insulating apparel that still allows for movement, so your child is able to navigate down the mountain safely in it, too. 

Eyewear

No ski outfit for kids and teens is complete without proper eye protection. Strong sunglasses or ski goggles are absolutely necessary when skiing or snowboarding on a sunny day. The sun’s powerful rays often reflect off of the crystalline ski slopes, which potentially can cause temporary ‘snow-blindness.’ This is essentially a sunburn on the eyes caused by prolonged exposure to UV light. This affliction does heal itself in a few days, but trust us, it’s better to just avoid it entirely. 

Hydration

It might be the last thing you’d think of, but dehydration is a major risk factor for kids and teens going skiing. They’re usually wrapped up in so much excitement, competition and all around merriment that they forget to drink enough water. Add to that the fact that skiing and snowboarding are pretty vigorous activities, which means they’ll be sweating out a lot of water, too. Since dehydration could lead to fatigue, impaired judgement and slow reaction times, staying hydrated is crucial. 

Lessons

Whether your kids and teens are looking to glide down the mountain on a pair of skis, or trying to shred their way down on a snowboard, they’d better be prepared with good lessons. Especially for those of us who live in warmer climates and don’t have access to the slopes year round, it’s a great idea to get an introduction or even a refresher course for more experienced family members. You’ll want everyone to have a basic understanding of ‘ski etiquette’, which includes being aware of your surroundings, skiing slowly while you learn, and staying at least 15 feet away from other skiers. 

Homebase

Finally, you’ll want to establish a ‘home base,’ an easy to find meeting place to return to once every hour or so, just to check in, see how everyone’s doing, and make sure nobody gets lost on the mountain. You can also use this time to fill your kids’ bellies with snacks and water, to keep them having fun on all those runs. 

At Ocean Pediatrics, we’re here to be your growing family’s partner in health, for every season of their lives. So, be sure to give us a call or schedule your next appointment to see a warm, caring pediatrician whenever you need. Until next time, happy skiing!