Planning a day trip skiing with kids can feel like a lot. Between early mornings, cold weather gear, and hungry little skiers, even a simple ski day takes some strategy.
Over the years we’ve learned a few small tricks that make our family ski days much easier. Whether you're skiing with toddlers, big kids, or even bringing a baby along for the day, these simple hacks can help your morning run smoother so you can spend more time enjoying the slopes.
Let Kids Sleep in Their Base Layers
The night before your ski day, let your kids sleep in their long underwear. Most kids think this is pretty fun, and it saves you from having to change them early in the morning.
In the morning you can simply get them out of bed, wrap them in a blanket, and put them straight into the car.
One small tip: put regular socks on them for the car ride, not ski socks. Switch to ski socks when you arrive at the mountain so they stay dry and comfortable before you hit the slopes.
Pack an Easy Breakfast for the Car
We usually have our kids help pack breakfast the night before. Keeping it simple makes the morning much easier.
Some of our favorites include:
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Yogurt pouches
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Apples or oranges
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Dry cereal
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A toasted bagel
Snack cups work great for dry cereal or small pieces of bagel, and water bottles make drinks easy for the car ride. If your kids prefer something warm, you can also pack juice, tea, or hot cocoa in a cup with a lid.
Make Everyone Go to the Bathroom Before You Leave
Even if your kids are still half asleep, take a few extra minutes to have everyone use the bathroom before leaving the house.
It doesn’t always work perfectly, but it often helps you make the entire drive without needing to stop. When you're trying to get to the mountain early, skipping a bathroom stop can save a surprising amount of time.
Don’t Forget Regular Shoes
One downside to putting kids directly into the car in their base layers is that it's easy to forget their regular shoes.
More than once we’ve arrived somewhere and realized we only had ski boots or socks. Trying to take a kid into a gas station bathroom in socks is not fun.
Slip-on shoes like Crocs or easy sneakers are perfect for quick stops along the way.
Bring Blankets for the Car Ride
Kids are much more comfortable if they can cuddle up with a blanket during the drive. It also helps make sure they start the day warm.
Nobody enjoys a ski day that begins with everyone feeling cold.
Just make sure children are properly buckled into their car seats first, and then place blankets on top for safety.
Pack a Ski Day Car Bag with Entertainment
Having a dedicated car bag for the ski season can make a huge difference.
Pack it with simple entertainment items like:
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A clipboard or notebook
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Drawing books
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Stickers
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Books to read
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Headphones
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A tablet or iPad if you use one for longer drives
Have your kids help pack the bag the night before so they can include their favorite activities. We usually keep our bag packed all season and just replenish paper, crayons, or other supplies as needed.
Bring Extra Snacks and Water for the Ride Home
One thing we learned the hard way is to always pack extra food and water for the drive home.
Last weekend we were stuck in traffic for more than two hours due to an accident. The road wasn’t moving at all, and we quickly realized we didn’t have enough snacks or water in the car.
Now I plan to keep a small bin of non-perishable snacks and extra drinks in the car just in case. It’s a simple thing that can make a big difference when travel plans don’t go as expected.
Skiing with a Baby: What to Do at the Lodge
You don’t need to ski with your baby to enjoy a family ski day.
Many families take turns skiing while one parent relaxes in the lodge with the baby. It can actually be a really nice way to enjoy the mountain without rushing the day.
A few things help make this easier:
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Bring a comfortable place for your baby to stretch out and play
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Pack a few small toys or books
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Bring extra snacks and warm layers
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Plan breaks where everyone can warm up together
Ski lodges can be busy and the floors aren’t always the cleanest, so having a small portable play space for your baby makes a big difference.
A Clean Place for Your Baby to Play at the Ski Lodge
If you plan to spend time in the ski lodge with your baby, it helps to have a clean place where they can stretch out and play instead of sitting on your lap the whole time.
Our Lay and Play Adventure Mat creates a clean, comfortable play space for babies anywhere, including ski lodges, airports, parks, and campsites.
It keeps your baby off the often messy lodge floor, gives them space for tummy time or play, and gives you some hands-free time while you warm up.
It also doubles as a changing mat, so you don’t have to pack extra gear.
