Backpacks and clothing: It's the details that count
When travelling in the mountains with children in summer, you often just pack a large backpack on your own back and save the kids from having to carry their own backpack. For our ski tours together, it was clear to me and fortunately also to my son Emil right from the start that he would have to carry his own safety equipment in his backpack. "Child-friendly backpacks are not just a question of comfort, but also of safety" explains Sebastian. Firstly, comfort - the back length and weight should be suitable. Some of the smaller, compact women's models are definitely suitable for little tall ski tourers. A separate compartment for safety equipment is absolutely essential to ensure that safety is also included in the backpack. "Ski touring backpacks offer numerous practical features designed to make life in the mountains easier. However, the separate compartment for emergency equipment, which includes a shovel and probe, is particularly important" confirms Sebastian's assumption. Although these essential items can also be stowed in the main compartment, this is neither practical nor safe. "An extra compartment for emergency equipment is a must - it allows quick access and prevents important items from getting lost or obstructed in the backpack," explains the Sport Conrad expert. For the first use and to see whether it's fun or not, the school bag is also a good choice, as it also has separate compartments.
I would advise against avalanche backpacks, especially because of their significantly higher weight. As Emil was immediately prepared to carry his own safety equipment with him, I was of course prepared to carry everything else, such as food, drink or additional clothing, in my backpack for the time being. The latter is definitely advisable, as children often get cold more quickly and an extra layer is therefore very helpful, especially for breaks (spoiler alert: the topic of breaks will be covered in the next article).
The right clothing is particularly important for children on ski tours to ensure comfort and protection from the cold. The onion principle has proven its worth here: Several functional layers of clothing make it possible to react flexibly to changing weather conditions. Lightweight and breathable materials are crucial to ensure that freedom of movement is not restricted and that perspiration is quickly wicked away. At the same time, wind and water-repellent outerwear provides reliable protection against the cold and wet. Brands such as Dynafit offer collections especially for young ski tourers that fulfil these requirements and are characterised by their low weight - ideal for long and active days in the snow.
What the manufacturers don't know or can't influence are the idiosyncrasies of children. For example, a highly functional, super-light Gore-Tex jacket can sometimes be perceived as annoying because it rustles too loudly. However, from my point of view, you can't hear the rustling anyway, as children can be quite talkative even on tours. Anyone who has children knows how far you can get with this argument.
What I'm trying to say is that soft evaluation criteria should also be taken into account when choosing clothes. You know your children and their idiosyncrasies.
Save costs: Used and sustainable
As the darn kids grow far too quickly, parents are often faced with the challenge of buying new ski equipment every year. The best way to save costs is to buy second-hand ski sets. Unfortunately, the market for touring skis for children and teenagers is almost non-existent. If you do find touring ski sets for children, they are often only one or two seasons old and therefore in pretty good condition. In addition to online offers on the usual websites, you can also find them at local ski markets. The big advantage of ski exchanges is that you can take a look at the equipment on site and test the functionality of the bindings, for example.
"Alternatively, you can also invest in a new set, as the loss in value of these models is manageable and they can be resold later at a good price" recommends Sebastian from Sport Conrad.
Another approach could be the use of short adult skis, which are already increasingly in circulation. However, caution is advised here: The bindings on such skis are often designed for adults and may be too tight for children. It is important to make sure that the Z-value of the binding can be adjusted easily and appropriately for children to ensure safety and comfort.
Emil and I would like to say a big thank you to Sport Conrad for their professional and, above all, child-orientated advice. With your expertise, you gave us excellent support with all our unanswered questions and formulated the answers in such a way that the children were able to make sense of them.
Many thanks for the great service - we would love to come back!
Outlook: Focus on safety and tour planning
This article marks the start of a short series on ski touring with children. The next part is about how parents can plan tours safely and which strategies help to motivate children for longer ascents. After all, ski touring with children is not only a sporting challenge, but also an opportunity to create unforgettable shared experiences.