It’s never too early to get your children on the ski slopes. But every little girl and boy needs to have a good pair of gloves or mittens to keep them warm and comfortable when they set out on the snow.
I have many fond skiing memories from my youth, which have kept me passionate about the sport for my entire life. I’ve researched all the models here to provide you with options for your kids that are reliable and of good value.
The Dakine Tracker is my pick for the best kids’ ski gloves and mittens of the year. These will give your children excellent warmth and comfort. They also come available in several fun colors to provide a little youth-inspired style.
In this post, I’ll give you every top option for gloves and mittens built for kids. My goal is to make sure every boy and girl out there has the best possible equipment so they don’t get cold and can learn to ski.
Let’s get to it.
Contents
Who Should Get This
If you take your kids skiing, snowboarding, or any other outdoor winter activity, then you probably know the importance of keeping their hands and fingers warm and comfortable.
Keeping the little ones from getting frostbite is the number one priority, but a cold, uncomfortable child can end a fun winter outing rather quickly.
Kids have much smaller hands and fingers than we adults have, and they can get cold quickly. It is essential to understand this and listen to them when they are telling you they are cold.
It’s tough for a young kid to learn how to ski or snowboard when the stress of frosty fingers is the main thing on their mind. This is especially true for toddlers.
The problem can often be prevented by buying them good-quality gloves or mittens. If you want to give the youth in your life a chance to develop a lifelong passion for skiing, you want to make sure they stay warm at all times.
Should kids ski with mittens or gloves?
If your child struggles with cold fingers, getting mittens is a good idea. Gloves offer a little more dexterity for them to hang on to things while they ski. I recommend getting a pair of each so that you can adjust to the conditions or situation.
How do you keep snow gloves on kids?
Look for gloves or mittens that come with a cinch cord or strap to help keep snow gloves on kids. This will allow you to tighten the glove around their wrist, limiting the chance that it will slip off when they are skiing.
How do I keep my kid’s gloves dry?
This starts by getting high-quality gloves made out of waterproof materials. Look for synthetic materials such as Gore-Tex or polyester. A durable water repellent, or DWR, treatment can also help keep gloves dry.
Best Kids’ Ski Gloves & Mittens: Top Picks
Here are my picks for the best kid’s ski gloves and mittens. Each model you see here will provide exceptional warmth for any child on the mountain.
1. Dakine Tracker
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Warm, comfortable, affordable, insulated, waterproof, cuff closure
- Style: Gloves
- Insulation: High Loft Synthetic
- Cost: $
The Dakine Tracker earns my pick for the best ski gloves or mittens for kids this year.
This model comes packed with 110 grams of High Loft synthetic insulation to ensure every boy or girl wearing them stays warm.
A DK Dry waterproof insert alongside a polyester shell with a DWR treatment also provides plenty of waterproofing.
The Tracker is a little bulky, but that gives you extra warmth and padding.
==> You can also get it on Evo.
2. Burton Profile
- Best for: Mittens
- Key features: Warm, durable, waterproof, lightweight, adjustable closure
- Style: Mittens
- Insulation: Thermacore
- Cost: $$
The Burton Profile is the best mitten model for kids you can find. This is a warm and comfortable option that is built with the youth in mind.
They come with a durable construction that can take a beating and keep on rolling. A Toughgrip PU palm provides plenty of grip as well.
The mittens are also very waterproof for reliable performance in all sorts of snowy conditions.
The Profile is on the expensive side for a kids model but still relatively affordable.
==> You can also get it on Burton or Curated or Buckman’s.
3. MCTi Kids Sherpa
- Best for: Budget Option
- Key features: Affordable, warm, waterproof, non-slip palm, multiple colors
- Style: Mittens
- Insulation: Sherpa fleece
- Cost: $
If you are looking for a very affordable option that will still provide reliable performance, the MCTi Kids Sherpa mittens are recommended.
These are lined with very warm Sherpa fleece to give kids a soft and comfortable fit that is easy to wear.
A durable water repellent nylon fabric adds waterproofing capabilities, and a non-slip PU palm adds extra grip.
These mittens are more water-resistant than waterproof, so be careful using them in very wet snow conditions.
4. Obermeyer Kids Gauntlet
- Best for: Fit
- Key features: Easy fit, warm, comfortable, adjustable cuffs, waterproof, breathable
- Style: Mittens
- Insulation: Fleece
- Cost: $
The Obermeyer Kids Gauntlet will provide your kids with an easy fit that gives them the ability to enjoy every second they have in the snow.
This model has a polyester and nylon construction that provides a pretty impressive waterproof rating of 15k.
They are also lightweight and not very bulky, thanks to a fleece-lined layer of insulation. This provides plenty of warmth as well.
This isn’t a super-durable option, and they have a slightly shorter design than other gauntlet-style gloves or mittens.
==> You can also get it on Moosejaw or Zappos or Saint Bernard.
5. Burton Kids Vent
- Best for: Grip
- Key features: Dryride 2-layer fabric, Toughgrip palm, insulated, heater pocket
- Style: Gloves
- Insulation: Thermacore
- Cost: $$
If you want to make sure your kids have a good grip when they are skiing, the Burton Kids Vent comes with a Toughgrip palm that will give them extra hold on poles or anything else.
These gloves also have Thermacore insulation to provide a lot of warmth that can be used in just about any condition on the mountain. A heater pocket allows a little extra burst of warmth when needed.
A DryRide 2-layer fabric construction provides plenty of waterproofing while also being breathable for easy use on warmer days.
There aren’t many color options available here, but they are solid all around.
==> You can also get it on Buckman’s or Backcountry or DICK’S.
6. Columbia Kids’ Core
- Best for: Style
- Key features: Cool color options, warm, durable, Omni-Heat tech, wrist cinch
- Style: Gloves
- Insulation: Omni-heat
- Cost: $$
The Columbia Kids’ Core gloves will provide a sweet element of style every child will love because of the many fun colors and patterns offered with this model.
They also come with Omni-Heat technology, which keeps everything warm by reflecting body heat and trapping it inside.
A durable palm offers a good grip for kids of all ages, and the built-in wrist cinch makes sure they stay in place when they are skiing.
These have a fairly short design, so snow can sometimes creep inside if kids don’t have a jacket with cuffs.
==> You can also get it on Zappos or DICK’S.
7. Aroma Season Electric Heated Winter Gloves for Kids
- Best for: Toddlers
- Key features: Battery-powered heating, waterproof, breathable, 1-year warranty
- Style: Mittens
- Insulation: Synthetic
- Cost: $$$
Sending a toddler down the slopes can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. If you want to make sure their hands stay warm, the Aroma Season Electric Heater mittens will help you out.
These offer battery-powered heating that keeps tiny hands and fingers super warm and comfortable, no matter how cold outside.
The gloves are also waterproof and durable, so you get reliable protection from the elements if the batteries wear out before the end of the day.
These are a little expensive for a kids’ model, but they are totally worth it if you want added warmth.
How to Choose Ski Gloves or Mittens for Kids
Here are some essential things to keep in mind when choosing ski gloves or mittens for kids. It will pay off to put in a little extra effort to get a quality pair, so pay close attention to all of these considerations.
Warmth
For kids, this is the number one thing to consider. As I have stressed above, it is important to prevent frostbite, and if you want to get the most out of your winter outing, you MUST keep them warm.
Insulation is a crucial aspect of providing good warmth. And mittens will generally be warmer than gloves.
Water-Resistant
You will want to find water-resistant (waterproof is even better) gloves. If not, the snow will melt on them, and they will get wet. This will quickly lead to icy cold fingers. Wet fingers can lead to a miserable experience on the mountain.
Mitten or Glove?
You will need to decide between mittens or gloves. Mittens can sometimes keep their fingers warmer since they can all stay close together. They are also much easier to put on younger kids who need help.
Gloves will give much better grip and control and are often the better choice for older kids. I like to have a pair of each, so you can adjust to changing weather conditions.
Comfort
Comfort is also very important. If the gloves or mittens are uncomfortable, the kids will not keep them on their hands. If they don’t keep them on their hands, then they won’t stay warm.
Ease of Use
You want to get gloves or mittens that are easy to put on and take off. You don’t want to get them all bundled up and then spend another 10 minutes trying to get their gloves on correctly.
You also want to be able to remove them quickly if they need to use the restroom or just need a break from them.
Another ease of use consideration is that you want kids to be able to use their hands for whatever activity they are doing. This can include holding ski poles, a tow line, the chair lift, or even making snowballs.
Value
It is true, you don’t want to be too cheap and buy gloves that are not warm, but you also don’t want to break the bank on kids’ gloves. Every model mentioned here is affordable and a good value.
There’s a great chance that they will lose one of them, so it may be a good idea to find a good glove at a great price and buy more than one pair so that you have a backup. Just make sure you don’t sacrifice too many of the other features for the lower cost.
Extra Features
There are many other features you can find with gloves and mittens, such as ventilation zippers, pockets for heat packs, and the ability to use electronics. These can be great but make sure the other important features listed above are there also.
Useful Tips & Resources
When it’s really cold out, you and your kids may sometimes want to use heat packs or warmers in your gloves. You can also use them in your coats, pants, or boots.
Teaching a child to ski is a gratifying experience. But it can be challenging if you have never done it before. Check out some of the tips in the video below to help your kids pick up some great techniques on the slopes.
Final Verdict
The Dakine Tracker is my pick for the best kid’s ski gloves and mittens of the year. This is a very warm and durable option that will keep boys and girls of all ages comfortable for several seasons as they learn to ski.
If you want your kids to have a good experience on the mountain, you need to make sure they stay warm. All of the gloves and mittens on this list will help you achieve just that.
