Family Ski Holidays: Best Family Ski Products

by Angelina Villa-Clarke

If you’re planning a family skiing trip this winter, you’ve probably researched the best resort to suit your family, bought the latest ski-suits for the kids and thought about how to keep warm on the slopes.

But while an active getaway such as skiing is great for the soul AND the fitness levels, bear in mind that high altitudes, exposure to cold temperatures and intense sun can cause irreparable damage to your skin and hair. We’d tried and tested items that will help keep all the family in peak condition for this year’s ski holiday – what follows are the crème de la creams and of other hair, skin and body products.

Sun Protection
High altitudes leave skiers exposed to harmful UV rays, which are magnified by the wide expanse of snow. Eco-Bloc (£8.99) is a portable, transparent, organic sunscreen providing SPF30 for lips, nose and face, in a compact tube with a carabineer clip to attach it to your backpack or clothes. The solid formula makes it ideal if you’re running after little ones.

Sisley’s Facial Sunscreen has one of the highest protections around – SPF50+ – making it perfect for the strong sun exposure found high up in the mountains. Sisley is a leading suncare brand incorporating the latest scientific know-how plus active ingredients such as shea butter, cucumber extract and essential oils – as the price (£96) confirms.

If you do overdo it in the sun, Payot’s SOS Sunburn Mask (£24) is a lifesaver – apply a thick layer to affected areas and within minutes it eases any burnt or sore patches.

Face
You may be in a wintery setting but a great product for little ones that will instantly transport you to the tropics is Weleda Baby Calendula Weather Protection Cream (£5.50), which acts as a gentle barrier protection on children’s exposed cheeks, lips and hands.

Being out in the elements all day has a dehydrating effect on the face in particular. Mums should pack an intense moisturiser, such as Bliss’s Best of Skintentions (£25), which has SPF15 and vitamins A, C and E, to use under your sunscreen or for après-ski to keep the wrinkles at bay.  Don’t forget a good night cream, which will work wonders while you sleep: Swiss skincare expert Mavalia’s Restoring Night Cream (£19.95; call 01732 459412 for stockists) helps recoup skin after exposure to the great outdoors with a surge of moisture and anti-ageing properties.

For dry patches or chapped skin, you can’t beat Liz Earle’s cult Superbalm  (£15), which contains plant oils and is safe for the whole family to use – rub on lips, elbows, heels and even nails for an intense moisture boost. New brand Connock London has also launched a multi-purpose balm, the Kukui Wonder Balm (£18.50), which instantly soothes when applied to minor skin irritations. Kukui has been used by Hawaiians for centuries to keep skin soft and contains essential fatty acids that can help with eczema, psoriasis and dry skin.

Hands
Despite being covered in gloves for most of the day, your hands can become dry and chapped in cold weather, so slather on Olivina Napa Valley Olive Hand Crème (£13.95), which contains sea algae, avocado, aloe vera and olives sourced from California for super-soft skin, or L’Occitane’s Organic Shea Butter (£24), which is super-hydrating, can be used on hands and body, and comes in a practical, slim tin.

Lips
Lips are most vulnerable when you’re out in cold weather, so stop them getting dry and sore by liberally applying a lip balm throughout the day, especially on kids. Perfect for all to use is the faithful Medicated Chapstick (£1.79), which prevents cracking and keeps lips supple.  Good for dads is the Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturiser (£9), which hydrates for hours at a time.

Aches and Strains
After a long day spent exerting muscles you didn’t know existed, Friction de Foucard (£16.50) uses camphor, menthol, lavender and rosemary to restore tired and sore limbs. (If it’s good enough for the the French Foreign Legion…)

Barefoot Botanicals Foot Soldier (£13.95) refreshes tired feet and softens hard heels, while Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel (£19.50) helps release tension in aching muscles and joints, with a localised warming effect for instant relief.

Hair and Cleansing Products
Tucked under hats or blown by icy gales, hair can become dry and brittle. Happy Hair Days Pomegranate and Ginger Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner (£3.99 each) are paraben- and sulphate-free and contain natural ingredients, so are ideal for even the most sensitive members of the family. The gentle formula restores shine and body.

For a kick-start to the day, use Get Fresh Naked Minty Menthol Body Wash (£3.99) – guaranteed to get even the sulkiest teenager up and about on a cold morning. For younger members of the family, Jurlique’s Baby Gentle Shampoo and Body Wash (£12) gently cleans and moisturises tender skin.

Good Things Total Wipe Out Cleansing Wipes (£3.49 for 25 wipes), aimed at young and sensitive skins, are a pretty and practical choice for keeping complexions clean and clear on hols.

First Aides and All-rounders
Perfect for minor emergencies while away, Lanolips 101 Ointment (£11) is a multipurpose ointment that be used for all manner of things, including sunburn, skin abrasions, cracked heels and noses turned sore from the cold, and even on babies (for nappy rash or sore skin). It’s made from 100% pure clean medical-grade lanolin, which melts into a clear emulsion and is fragrance free. 

Good to have on hand while travelling with kids are EO’s Sanitising Wipes  (£3.50) – organic bamboo wipes containing aloe vera and French lavender to clean and sanitise hands.

And if the thought of watching your loved ones career down a black run unaided leaves you rather stressed, you might like to pack Tisserand’s Head Clear (£4.95) – a pocket-sized rollerball containing a 100% natural essential oil remedy that you roll onto temples to ease headaches!

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