First, let me get one thing straight: I don’t recommend taking a newborn skiing per se. Infants are not equipped to handle the cold and wind that inevitably comes with the territory, and their bodies are not developed enough to withstand the bumps and jolts of skiing. If you disagree or found a way around it, please let me know.
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But there is great news for those of us that are unwilling to just sit at home waiting until our child turns 3 years old to hit the slopes again: take your baby to the mountain with you. Does that sound daunting? It might, but below I give you a step-by-step guide. I’ve perfected this approach over time to make it logistically and emotionally as easy as possible. Just remember that daunting is better than bored (or, even worse, anxious) at home!
(1) Plan
First, pick a ski lodge that will be the home base for your little one for the day. Remember that this could be a mid-mountain lodge where you can also often enjoy beautiful views. You can always contact the ski resort directly if in doubt.
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Second, arrange with your partner, friend, baby-sitter or another human being to spend the day with you as you will need to at least trade off.
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Third, make a plan for feeding your baby. If you are breastfeeding, you’ll need to return to the lodge as frequently as needed. If you are pumping of using formula, make sure you have the supplies you need ahead of time. I personally love this baby bottle cooler for its price and portability.
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Finally, make sure you know how to get there. You’ll likely need a car that fits humans, a car seat, a stroller and your ski equipment all at once. Don’t sweat it – use two cars if needed.
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(2) Pack
Do prioritize your baby’s safety and comfort. This will pay dividends for the whole family.
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Keep your baby warm: Infants are more sensitive to cold temperatures than adults, so make sure to dress your baby in warm clothing, including a hat and mittens. Use a warm blanket to cover them while outside, and keep them in a warm and cozy environment inside. I personally also love a good fleece jumpsuit as top layer – easy to take off in a cozy lodge.
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Avoid exposure to the sun: The sun’s rays can be harmful to a newborn’s sensitive skin, so make sure to keep your baby in the shade and use sunscreen if necessary. We have yet to use sunscreen on our baby, but we’ve already stocked up on this mineral sunscreen. Btw, I hope to save you some time by saying that there is no real difference between “adult” and “baby” sunscreen, other than branding and maybe scent.
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Bring necessary supplies: Make sure to bring all the necessary supplies for your baby, including diapers, wipes, formula, and bottles. It’s also a good idea to bring a portable changing pad that can handle any melted snow if you need to change you baby on the floor.
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Get ready for nap time: If you are strict about your baby’s nap times, you will want to make sure to bring your usual stroller that makes the little one feel cozy, a white noise machine and/or these ear muffs. If like me you like when technology makes your life easier, I promise this Rocking baby stroller rocker is worth every single penny – I got it as a gift and can’t say enough great thing. And, when everything else fails, we’ve also had success with a newborn baby sleeping in his Babybjorn carrier.
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Don’t forget the play time: For the price of one beverage, this timeless Winker Rattle toy will buy you a lot of time to regroup. I’ve also relied heavily on various black and white (and, eventually, in color) books like this one called “Hello: My world”.
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⚠️ You are coming, too, so make sure to pack your ski gear and clothes. And if you are feeling up for it, you can give something like this collapsible wagon a try to carry everything at once.
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(3) Go
The only thing I’ll say here is that it’s good to get to the mountain early. That way you can find a spot in your selected lodge that makes you and your baby feel comfortable. For instance, I always look for a larger table in a corner for relative privacy when breastfeeding.
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(4) Enjoy ⛷
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