While every Australian holiday presents its own type of challenges, a winter trip into Australia's high country takes a bit more planning and packing.

Ski boots should be snug and comfortable.

Insist that children wear helmets. Ski hills won't let anyone on certain runs without it. To help keep ears and necks warm, add ear bands and a neck warmer. The neck warmer can be slipped up over the face right up to the goggles.

Everyone should have a pair of goggles. They keep the sun, wind and snow out of the eyes (which can be a problem for little children) and help with sun safety.

Equipment checklist:

• Skis with bindings/snowboard... Ensure adjustment of ski bindings is undertaken by a professional. Properly adjusted ski bindings have the potential to prevent lower limb injuries.
  
  
• Ski poles (children under 5 don't need poles)
  
  
• Ski boots/snowboard boots... Boot characteristics such as individualized fit and comfort, temperature isolation and lack of pressure areas will help prevent injury.
  
  
• Helmets - See
  
  
• Snowboarders should have wristguards
  
  
• A lock (or one for each person) to lock up equipment outside the Lodge.
  
  
• Gloves (1 pair each)
  
  
• Ski hats/ear bands and neck warmers
  
  
• Goggles/sunglasses
  
  
• Ski suit
  
  
• Consider a harness for young children.
  
  

With the equipment out of the way, focus shifts to what to wear. Winter clothes can be quite bulky so layered coats and sweaters will serve better than one large coat for different weather types.

Buy snowsuits that are bright and easily visible, water and wind resistant. Wind Flaps on zippers, snug cuffs at wrists and ankles keep the wind and snow out. No drawstrings on coat hoods... see Danger of Drawstrings.

Most children's coats do not have drawstrings anymore as manufacturers have stopped putting them on. Check to ensure that these are removed. They can get caught on equipment and pose a strangulation risk.

Dress in layers - three layers plus a jacket. You can always remove a sweater and store it in the locker if you are getting too hot. Polypropylene underwear or long johns (recommended as these will keep the back warmer) feel nice next to skin, dry quickly and absorbs sweat. Turtle necks will help keep necks warm (have some extra ones) and a wool sweater with help keep warmth in and take moisture away from the body.

Name tags - sewn inside the coat - not visible to strangers but available if children get lost on the hill. Children should also have a ski map and a brochure from your hotel or resort inside their coat pockets just in case they get lost.

Mittens are best for younger children as they keep the fingers warmer by keeping fingers together. This is especially important if children aren't using poles.

Gloves or mittens that are water resistant (they have a plastic layer inside) are best. Consider taking an extra pair with you to leave in the locker or car for young children.

Snow boots for Apres Ski and running shoes for the kids.

Packing for a winter or ski vacation requires a knack for taking only what is necessary while making sure you have everything you need.

Pack what you need first and see how much room you have left over. As ski jackets can be quite bulky, we suggest you don't pack your ski jackets but wear them instead.

Winter boots are a must - boots with liners and extra insoles will keep feet warm for outdoor activities. Wear your winter boots while you travel. You can take them off in the airplane or car during travel... Don't forget to take some running shoes for the kids and shoes for a nice dinner out for the parents. ..Running shoes for kids will be needed for indoor activities if your ski resort offers indoor children's programs.

Make sure you take lots of warm socks and don't forget the sweaters.

Take at least one nice outfit for each family member - a nice dinner out adds to that holiday feeling... Track suits or leisure wear should form the bulk of your clothing. Warm pyjamas for at least the children are a must.

Bathing suits, skates, hockey sticks and other accessories are optional and depend on the facilities at your lodging/resort and whether you are driving or flying. to record those holiday memories.

Sunscreen is a must on any winter holiday.

Research your destination - some ski resorts have child care available for non-skiing children as well as multi-day discount passes and early/late season discounts... If you need more information, contact us.

Plan skiing trips for mid week or non-holiday times if you want to avoid the major crowds.

If you are taking equipment, check it over before you leave... Have skis or snowboards waxed, sharpened and inspected to ensure bindings are secured before packing and make sure all the equipment fits. Special bags designed for your ski/snowboard equipment make travel a lot easier. If you are renting equipment, you'll just need to worry about the accessories....

Make sure everyone is familiar with and understands the Alpine Responsibility Code. Be safety conscious and respect other people using the hills.

Go over general family safety tips for tips about winter holidays including frost bite and hypothermia.

Protective headgear may prevent head injuries and is recommended for children. Ensure helmets are a modern variety with perforations or ear holes to assist with hearing... see www.lidsonkids.org an American site containing useful information about helmets.

To help keep ears and necks warm, add ear bands and a neck warmer. The neck warmer can be slipped up over the face right up to the goggles.

Everyone should have a pair of goggles. They keep the sun, wind and snow out of the eyes (which can be a problem for little children) and help with sun safety.

Eyewear that gives ultra-violet protection and a sunscreen with a high SPF should be worn, even on cloudy days... The sun reflects off the snow and is stronger than it appears.

Before heading out to the ski hill, make sure all family members are properly dressed and equipped. Make sure all children wear a helmet. Consider taking extra turtle necks and putting them in the locker to change at lunch time.

Review the alpine responsibility code with your children and remind all family members.

Check weather and ski hill conditions and be prepared for changes in the weather.

If your children are old enough to be skiing on their own make sure they ski with a buddy and arrange to meet at certain times during the day at one place - consider providing a watch with an alarm to remind them when to meet... Instruct them on which hills they can ski on and which hills to avoid - give them a map... Teach them to recognise a ski patrol and to approach them for assistance.

Pagers are becoming an option for keeping track of children while skiing, ask the resort before booking if these are available.

Consider arranging lessons for children - this allows them to learn proper techniques, meet other children, learn the hills, by-pass longer lines when in a lesson and allows parents to have some free ski time... You may also want to watch the lesson for a little while. You might learn something too or at least see what is being taught so you can help after the lesson to re-enforce the instructions.

Warm up on the bunny or beginner hill with your children.

Make sure everyone drinks plenty of water... Take breaks often and consider keeping a little snack in your pocket for a little pick me up during the chair ride or at a break.

Take breaks often. Enjoy the view and watch other skiers too.

Always lower the bar on chair lifts and hold small children at all times on chair lifts.

Don't mix alcohol/drugs and skiing with your kids. Set a good example and maintain control when skiing.

Starting your kids early opens an unsurpassed world of adventure, fun, laughter and beautiful scenery. It's a tremendous feeling to learn that your kids' fondest childhood memories were of your family ski holidays and now skiing has become an important element in their lives... Your kids will be forever grateful to you when they become adults!

Make sure young children wear a helmet.

• Be aware of concerns for frost bite and hypothermia see winter safety tips for more information.
  
  
• If you are a confident skier and comfortable on the slopes, young children can be skiing as early as two years of age. Consider looking for a small toboggan hill, strapping on some small plastic skis and enjoying an hour or two on the hill with your little one. This is a cheap way to introduce skiing and you don’t need to worry about your equipment.
  
  
• Start your young child skiing with a harness – This allows you to hold up your child and even steer with the straps on either side. Hold the straps tightly in your hand when using any ski lift to ensure that straps don’t get caught. Harnesses can also add extra support when getting on/off the chair lift and during the ride up.
  
  
• When using a harness, encourage your child to lean forward with their upper body and bend their knees. Use the harness as a means of slowing their progress down the hill.
  
  
• If skiing becomes comfortable with the harness, you can lengthen the straps for greater freedom without losing control of the child.
  
  
• Teach the pizza slice - have children put their ski tips together and spread the backs of their skis (snow plow) to learn how to stop by pushing the backs of the skis out.
  
  
• Once your child is more comfortable, introduce the idea of going across the hill as a means of slowing down.
  
  
• Hold on to child at all times on chair lift and always lower the bar. You can place young children over your lap or hold under your arm when disembarking the chair.
  
  
• On a t-bar or rope tow put young children between your legs and have them loop arms around your legs.
  
  
• Choose easy hills or beginner hills.
  
  
• Take lots of breaks and start out with no more than an hour. Keep a little snack handy and even a little drink in your pocket or backpack.
  
  
• If you are using a harness, avoid taking ski poles.
  
  
• Consider lessons. Some ski resorts offer programs where parents can participate in the lesson and learn to help teach as well.
  
  
• Most of all, make it FUN and skiing can become a winter passtime for the entire family.

When planning a ski or winter holiday, consider lessons as a way for children to meet other children... lessons teach proper skiing techniques and provide parents with time to ski together and progress to more difficult runs... Some programs offer child care with skiing, while others offer programs that parents can join in... a recent survey reported that 51% of resort visitors began skiing before the age of 17.

Research the ski program - questions to ask can include:

• Are the instructors certified?
  
  
• What is the ratio of kids to instructors?
  
  
• How much lesson time is involved and if there is some supervised unstructured ski time?
  
  
• Are children grouped according to age... or age and ability?
  
  
• Does the program include daycare facilities for children who don't ski... or a program of ski lesson and off hill child care?

Before the lesson begins, tell the instructor where you'll be and check in after the first hour if you are not participating in the lesson... Discuss with the instructor what the procedure is if the child gets too cold or doesn't want to ski anymore - is there a location to meet at the end of the lesson?... What happens if your child's abilities don't match that of the group, are there provisions to change groups?

Children's ski instructors are usually trained on how to teach children how to ski... Talk to them before the lesson, introduce your child to the instructor and then let them do their job. Your child will learn skiing safety and because ski instructors want to make it fun, maybe the "pizza slice" will replace the snowplow and "french fries" will double for parallel skiing.

Children also need to learn how to fall down and get back up again.

Watch the beginning of the lesson... Does it look like fun... is the instructor friendly and does your child look comfortable?... Is the rest of the group of similar ability?

Consider providing a private lesson for your child's first lesson. This one on one attention, especially for very young children... it's a great way to start your child.

Although it is very unlikely that your child would get separated from the instructor, be sure your child has a trail map and is able to remember the instructor's name.