First the under layer. Buy synthetic. No cotton. You want something sport/ski specific that wicks. Get a top with a collar. I like the ones with a neck zipper. |
Add thin fleece pants and top if it is a cold day. |
Next a fleece jacket. On the bottom, put on thin wind-resistant pants (not baggy) or synthetic warm-up pants like soccer pants with zips on the ankles. The latter are about 1/8th inch thick and standard issue for soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, etc. Use water-resistant pants if it’s raining or you expect a lot of snow burrowing by your child. You can find all this online or at thrift shops. You can find it at outdoor shops like REI too, but it is not necessary to buy nordic specific gear at this age. |
Next a coat. Should be water-resistant but not too hot. This one is a gortex shell. Add mitts or gloves and a hat. I recommend thicker gloves for Little Nords as cold hands make young kids very unhappy. However, if you kid routinely removes their thick gloves and skis gloveless (some do), then get them thin gloves to use instead. Once they are Freeheelers (age 11+), switch to the thinner nordic gloves except for cold days. If it’s sunny, add shades. You’re done. |
A thin neck gaitor for cold days. The thick fleece one's are usually too thick for nordic skiing. You can get thin polyestor/micro-fiber ones for about $10 which work better for nordic skiing. |
Little Nords who are skiing over lunch on Cold Creek or up top will need a small backpack. Big backpacks are not needed; a small hydration pack works especially well. You can get a decent hydration pack online for about $20 (sometimes cheaper). Camelback will charge 2-3x times that, but you don't need that brand. These are great for summer hiking and biking too. |
A look inside a Little Nord ski bag. I keep everything I need for dressing my Little Nord for 2 days of skiing in the red bag.
Top row: wind-resistant pants, fleece pants, 2 pair of thin underlayer bottoms, gaitors.
Middle top row: fleece jacket, fleece top, 2 thin underlayer tops, fleece vest
Middle bottom row: Gortex shell, sunglasses and googles, 2 pair of gloves
Bottom: 2 hats, neck fleece, 2 pairs of socks, sunscreen
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