8 Essential Items for First-Time Kid Skiers

Teach your kids the right way to carry their skis with the Bowtie Ski and Pole Carrier Sling. Heavy-duty, flexible Nylon straps adjust with Velcro to hold all types of skis. The strap is lightweight and will fit around skis ranging from 2.4 to 4.3 inches in width. Choose from black, blue or red.


Approximate Price: $17

Your kids will feel cool -- and you'll easily spot them on the slopes -- with Mental Helmet Covers, the most fun kids' ski clothes you'll buy all year. With more than 50 designs, from Mohawks to monkeys and princess crowns to ladybugs, your child can pick out a helmet cover that suits them best. The elastic band stretches over most helmet sizes, staying in place while little ones ski and snowboard down the mountain.


Approximate Price: $30

Ski poles are an essential piece of kids' ski gear -- but how do you know what height to buy for your growing youngsters? Solution: rather than buying a new set of ski poles each season for your child, pick up the K2 Kids Sprout Adjustable Ski Poles -- they'll grow with them! The aluminum poles are easy to adjust -- simply twist the upper and lower poles in opposite directions, slide the poles to the length your child needs, and then twist back in opposite directions to tighten. Poles adjust from 30 inches to 42 inches in length and come in different colors for both boys and girls.


Approximate Price: $45

Protecting your eyes from the harsh conditions like the snow, wind and sun on the mountain is an important factor that is often overlooked by beginners. Get the whole family wearing goggles with designs from Giro. The brand offers sizes for all ages with a comfortable micro-fleece backing and an anti-fog coating. Goggles are compatible with most helmets, too. Giro has three styles for kids -- Grade, Rev and Chico -- and a plethora of color options, from white and grey to green and pink and every color in between.


Approximate Price: $30

After taking the lift to the top, skiers and snowboarders often realize it is colder than they expected on the mountain. Keep your family warm with Therm-ic BasicKids Classic Boot Heaters. The clip-on boot warmers will attach to any style and size -- so they're not just for kids! -- and are simply powered by AAA batteries. Once on, the temperature can be adjusted to one of three heat settings for maximum comfort. The small boot heaters also help circulate blood flow in feet and ankles, which keeps feet warm and dry.


Approximate Price: $85

Help your little one feel more confident on the slopes this season with the Lucky Bums Kids Tip Clip. The easy-to-secure hook and loop fasten to the tips of each ski and are connected by a buckle in the middle, which can be undone for more mobility. Kids will be able to handle sharper turns with ease, as well as control their speed down the hills. The clip fits all types of skis, too.


Approximate Price: $10

Whether you've been snowboarding for years, or your little one is just learning, pick up snowboard stomp pads for extra grip on your board. Stomp pads are inexpensive and easily stick to the middle of the snowboard between the two bindings.


The pads come in all shapes and sizes so they also add a little decoration your board -- choose from Burton's black mountain shape or DAKINE's snowflake shape, and everything in between. Stomp pads work best when getting on and off lifts as they offer a grip for the boot that isn't attached to the board.


Approximate Price: $18

Getting on and off the ski lift can be a scary thing for a young skier. Help them feel safe with the Lucky Bums Ski Trainer. Not only does it offer a harness with a handle for parents to lift and catch their little skiers, but detachable leashes allow for even more control on the slopes. Kids will have mobility and parents will feel secure helping their new skiers over the hills and through the turns. Plus, the small backpack lets kids and parents care other essentials. Choose from pink or blue, both of which have cool neon green accents.


Approximate Price: $42