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As the days get shorter and the first signs of snow begin to dust the mountain peaks, families across the country start gearing up for ski season. Whether your family is new to skiing or you're seasoned pros, preparation is key to ensuring a smooth, safe, and fun-filled ski season. Here is a family-friendly guide to preparing for your next adventure on the slopes. Get Your Gear Ready Before you hit the mountain, it's time to dust off—or invest in—your ski gear. It is important to check that everything fits properly and is in good condition. Ski Equipment: For growing kids, ski equipment can be a major investment. Be sure that skis and snowboards are the right length and that boots are snug but comfortable. If you’re renting equipment, check the local ski shop or resort for deals on rentals. Clothing Layers: Layering is the key to staying warm and comfortable. Don’t forget waterproof gloves, socks, and neck gaiters! For kids, make sure the gear is flexible enough for easy movement and layering.  Goggles are equally important for protecting little eyes from the sun’s glare and snow. Plan for the Whole Family Ski trips can be a lot of fun, but with kids in tow, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure everyone has a good time, from the first lift ride to the last run of the day. Accommodations and Ski Passes: Many ski resorts offer family-friendly packages that include ski passes, lessons, and even childcare options. Book your accommodation early, especially during peak times, and be sure to check for discounts for families or multi-day ski passes. Plan Family Breaks: Skiing can be exhausting, especially for younger kids. Take time to recharge so you can make the most of your mountain adventure.  Quick tip, toss in a deck of cards to fill some time while resting legs and warming up in the lodge. Snacks: Build in regular breaks for hot cocoa and snacks.  It’s amazing how a special treat of a gummy bear, or favorite snack, can coax a little one to complete one more run on the slopes. Safety Comes First Safety should always be a priority when skiing as a family. A little preparation can help ensure that your family has a safe, enjoyable ski experience. Teach Safety Rules: Before you get on the slopes, review basic ski safety rules with your kids. A great resource we recommend is found on Raising Little Rippers. First Aid and Emergency Kit: Accidents happen, so be prepared. Pack a small first aid kit with bandaids, sunscreen, chapstick, and any personal medications your family might need. Prepare for the Unexpected Skiing is all about embracing the elements and having fun in the great outdoors. But as with any adventure, things don’t always go as planned. Be ready for the unpredictable by packing extras for the day, such as extra mittens, sunscreen, and snacks for the lift rides.  Wrap up So, gather your gear, hit the slopes, and enjoy making memories with your loved ones this ski season!

A cold kid is not a happy kid, and a cold kid makes for a short day on the mountain.  Take it from a mom of 4, how you prepare for your day on the slopes can make and break the entire experience. Here are our Top winter gear items for kids that truly are game changers for the family.  Snowpants  You know the line, you get what you pay for?  It's true.  Especially in unpredictable weather on a mountain.  Keeping your child warm and dry is critical to the day.  If you have a snowboarder who is constantly sitting in the snow to strap in to their board, quality snowpants are a must or you'll have wet bottom within the first 1-2 hours.   We've had great luck with Obermeyer bib snow pants Why? Because kids fall and these snow pants prevent snow from going up the jacket getting clothes wet.   Winter jacket Our favorite snow jackets for kids include an interior powder skirt.  This prevents snow from "riding up" to places you don't want it when you fall.  But, warmth is key again.  3-in-1 jackets have worked well for spring season when the temps warm up and you need to shed a layer without buying another coat. But, they lack the powder skirt and pit zips.    So, here is an example of a jacket that worked well Obermeyer jacket. Gloves We have tried almost every brand of glove out there and every trick of the trade to keep hands warm.  Our best success with gloves resulted in skiing and snowboarding all day (7 hr.s) with no complaints of cold or wet hands.  A true parenting WIN moment. Our current favorite is this Hestra.  (*I know this is a major investment) Others ons that worked well were Burton brand. Helmet You get one head, so you better take care of it.  Last year we had our first on-the-slopes collision that resulted in a 4 week concussion.  Needless to say, we take helmets very seriously.  One word....MIPS.   Here is a helmet similar to what we use with our kids, Giro MIPS  Ski or Snowboard Carrier I have a rule, if my kids carry their own ski/snowboard equipment we can go every weekend.  But I also set them up for success with a Ski Pack and Rider Pack to help carry their equipment to and from the slopes.  We don't miss a weekend very often, and honestly, no one complains.   The packs are all available here.   These are just a few of our favorite things that help keep our kids safe and warm. What about socks, and clothing?  Don't worry, we found a few links that address it well, so we don't need to be redundant.  But it's all personal, so do what works best for you.    A couple article we found that you might like: Best Kids Ski Gear for Warmth & Comfort on the Slopes 13 Amazing ski coats in 2024 Top winter gear for kids Best kids gear of 2024

Ski vacation planning - If you're planning a winter ski adventure and trying to find the right mountain for your family and friends, read the article by CNN titled, 13 of our favorite family ski resorts for all ages and skill levels in 2024.  Your ski and snowboarding adventure extends beyond the mountain and this article highlights all the reasons these resorts are perfect for the everyday family.   Read it if you're looking to learn more about: skiing for people of all abilities (beginners to advanced) lodging family fun  what makes a perfect family ski vacation Our two cents, Beaver Creek hands out FREE cookies everyday at 3 p.m. to kids big and small...you don't want to miss this memory making moment or sweet treat.      

Join us at Snowbound Expo in Boston, MA between November 3-5, 2023. This event brings more than 20,000 ski and snowboard enthusiasts together for 3 days to kick off the ski season.  Stop by our booth, D100, to find the best deals on Ski and Rider Packs.   Stop by our booth, D100, to test out the Ski and Rider Packs, and buy them at the best prices of the season.   You won't want to miss it.

Pure Mountain Fun is excited to announce a partnership with Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI).  PSIA-AASI is the world’s largest organization dedicated to teaching people how to ski and snowboard. Having collaborated with instructors and ski clubs the past couple of years, we believe this an opportunity to support instructors working with skiers and snowboards of all abilities.   Learn more about this organization and partnership here.  

What a colorful season Pure Mountain Fun had with Ski Packs and Rider Packs.  Curious what the top picks are for colors purchased?  Well, wait no further.   The top choices in descending order are: Blue Green Purple Pink  We can't wait to see what this coming season looks like, but for now, enjoy the outdoors and keep on moving. 

Spring break is coming.  Are you ready? On The Snow published a best gift guide for skiers and snowboards this winter.  If you're prepping for an upcoming trip, check it out.   Best Gifts for Skiers and Snowboarders         

Attending Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Salt Lake City, UT next week?  Stop by our booth and learn about existing and new product offerings available.  2023-2024 Ski Packs and Rider Packs will be on display, as well as a new product line being announced on Tuesday.  See you there.

Turns out two, 10-year olds had a pretty great idea in 2020 when they invented The Ski Pack.   So great, that CNN highlighted their invention in a recent article of top products to have when hitting ski resorts this year. Enjoy reading their article,  Warming layers, helmets, goggles and beyond — here’s the ski gear you need for your next trip to the slopes To say we are humbled and honored is an understatement.