what do we need for snow?

[salsah]

dh and i want to take the girls to see snow. we are hoping to do a weekend trip, hopefully at the end of winter/beginning of spring so that the weather will be warmer and we won't have to deal with snow chains.

so what type of clothes/shoes/accessories will i need for my 6 yr old and 3.5 yr old dd's?

i don't want to spend too much since the stuff will just get used for one weekend. (unless there are things that they can wear for ice skating or rain or any other time during the winter w/o snow.)

[elektra]

We did a single snow weekend last year to mammoth with my then 3yo DD and 1yo DS. I scored some great deals at Lands End and TCP because we also did our trip in late winter/ early spring and so we caught the end of season clearance sales. So my advice would be to wait until closer to your trip. I was not super picky on styles and i was going more for waterproof vs. thickness/ warmth as I figured we could always layer up underneath if needed. I ended up with the TCP 3 in 1 jacket for DS for $12 and a $20 LE coat for DD both were heavily marked down. I also got some snow pants for DS on craigslist. And then i got as many unisex items as i could for DD so i could pass them down not DS.
I got snow pants, snow jacket and snow gloves for both kids. And a pair of really thick socks and snow boots for DD. I felt like we had the right amount of stuff.

[Canna]

I don't even think snow chains are legal here where I live (southern New England)! If your kids were going to be playing in snow on a regular basis, then you'd want snow pants/bibs and a winter jacket, mittens or gloves, a hat, and some kind of waterproof snow boot.

Since you're not, I would go with a warm winter jacket, water-proof rain boots with thick socks on, fleece pants or other warm winter pants, and gloves or mittens with hat.

It also depends on what your snow activity will be - your kids will probably want to play in the snow, but if on a daily basis around here, we just put on winter jackets and warm shoes or winter boots - not necessarily snow boots - for walking to school, trips in the car, etc. We don't suit up in snow pants unless the kids are going to be wallowing in the snow or out for a really long time, like a long hike in really cold weather or something.

[salsah]

the kids are going to be wallowing in the snow or out for a really long time.

this is what i'm expecting. they have never seen snow and we are going on trip especially to see snow. i imagine (hope) we will spend the entire day playing in the snow and tubing/sledding.

[salsah]

We did a single snow weekend last year to mammoth with my then 3yo DD and 1yo DS. I scored some great deals at Lands End and TCP because we also did our trip in late winter/ early spring and so we caught the end of season clearance sales. So my advice would be to wait until closer to your trip.

when are the sales?

[crl]

Try borrowing. A lot of people here go to Tahoe once or twice a year and our neighborhood has regular borrowing of snow gear.

I'd look for sales now. Also try Craigslist now.

If you can't find snow pants to borrow or on sale cheap, you could substitute rain pants over fleece pants.

You really do need the gear though because it is just no fun to play in the snow in wet freezing cold jeans, etc.

Catherine

ETA. Make sure you have the right gear too, or you will be miserable.

[salsah]

Try borrowing. A lot of people here go to Tahoe once or twice a year and our neighborhood has regular borrowing of snow gear.

I'd look for sales now. Also try Craigslist now.

If you can't find snow pants to borrow or on sale cheap, you could substitute rain pants over fleece pants.

You really do need the gear though because it is just no fun to play in the snow in wet freezing cold jeans, etc.

Catherine

ETA. Make sure you have the right gear too, or you will be miserable.

i was trying to think of someone we could borrow stuff from, but i can't think of anyone who would have something dd1's size. I might be able to borrow something for dd2.

[elektra]

We went last year end of feb/ early march and I was able to get those deals in feb. I also tried to borrow stuff too. It didn't end up working out though. I think that TCP jacket is the best kidswear deal I've ever gotten actually!

[salsah]

We went last year end of feb/ early march and I was able to get those deals in feb. I also tried to borrow stuff too. It didn't end up working out though. I think that TCP jacket is the best kidswear deal I've ever gotten actually!

thanks. i'll be sure to check them out at the end of next month.

[August Mom]

thanks. i'll be sure to check them out at the end of next month.

You need to check TCP now for any hope of getting that jacket. My stores only had a handful a couple of weeks ago and mostly just in infant sizes with an occasional toddler size thrown in. Granted, I was not looking in the big girl/big boy section, but winter stuff was pretty picked over. I agree it's a nice winter outfit for the price, though.

I'm not a big used clothes shopper (hardly ever buy anything used, actually) but for a 1 weekend trip, I would consider going to Once Upon a Child, Salvation Army Thrift Shop, Goodwill, etc. to see if you can find your sizes.

Kohls also has good deals on outerwear most of the time too.

I would say you want snow boots, snow bibs/pants, winter coat & waterproof mittens/gloves. If the hood doesn't fit closely, you'll need a hat or earmuffs.

I usually use smartwool socks and some long underwear on my kids as well, but in your situation, I would just layer - maybe 2 pair of socks and 2 layers of pants.

Good luck!

ETA: You are obviously in a warmer climate area than I am since you only need this stuff for 1 weekend, so your TCP may have more inventory of winter items, but I would still check TCP sooner rather than later. At some point this stuff gets shipped to the outlet and I would think that would be even sooner for warm weather climates where people will actually be wearing spring stuff in a month or two.

[BabbyO]

I got boots at LandsEnd on sale for DS just before Christmas and it seemed that all of their boots and winter gear was already on sale then. You may want to call or stop to see when their sales are, too.

I'd say, boots, jackets, snowpants/bibs, waterproof gloves and a hat are musts. Maybe a scarf, too.

[indigo99]

I saw the neighbors playing in the snow outside today. All except one little girl had on snow pants and boots, and I felt bad for her because I just know that she was cold. If you're going to be out in the snow for long then you want waterproof so the kids can enjoy playing without ending up wet and cold. I found a pair of $2 snow pants at a consignment sale for DS. The consignment stores here are already clearing out winter stuff and moving in the spring so you may want to move quickly if they even have stuff like that where you are. If not, you can check ebay.

I know that when I was little we'd use regular knit gloves and layers of regular pants and jeans that ended up caked with snow, and we would be freezing cold.

[salsah]

thanks for the all of the responses. i went shopping today at target. (I went to two locations and they were both totally picked over, hardly anything left at either.) and i talked to a friend to see if we can borrow some stuff.

i found someone who can lend us snow boots for both girls. i hope dd1 doesn't have a growth spurt soon because the boots just barely fit her. if she does, she'll probably end up wearing her rain boots.

I got a hand me down snow suit for dd2. found a snow bib and snow pants for dd1 at target (have to decide which one to use). they are a little big but it will have to do because they didn't have a smaller size. dh is going to check the target by his office to see if they have a smaller size in the bib or snow pants.
if we decide that they are just to big too work, we'll put her in nylon pants with warm layers underneath.

both girls have warm, reasonably waterproof, coats and knit hats and scarves.

i still haven't found waterproof gloves.

[salsah]

okay, i just ordered these:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Girls-Ski-Glove/15228748

no sizing info, i hope that they fit both girls because i just ordered two of them.