There is snow in Scotland. There are metres of the white stuff in Europe. If you’re planning a ski trip or holiday in the next few weeks – and especially during the kids’ school half-term break – we reckon you’re going to have an awesome time. One thing to think about, however, is the cold. It mightsound obvious but reports have revealed plummeting temperatures in Europe – and so skiing families should be prepared for the big chill. (It was -30 in the Alps this week!)

Thank goodness then for today’s modern skiing clothes and outdoor clothing fabrics. If you prepare your skiing wardrobe well then if won’t matter what the temperatures are on the outside, because inside your clothing you’ll be toasty warm.

What to wear: Family ski clothing

Remember that children can become colder much faster than adults. While they will look all sweaty and rosy-cheeked one minute, within five minutes their core body temperature can suddenly fall. So, as well as looking after your own ski clothing wardrobe, make sure the youngsters are dressed for the minus figures.

This blog talks about layering a great deal. Whatever your chosen outdoors sports, the layer system will serve you well. Layering requires several thinner layers of clothing, with each creating a layer of warm air in between. The more layers you wear the greater the layering of hot air.

It’s also important to make sure that the layers are made of a sweat-wicking and breathable material. If not, the sweat created by the activity of skiing (or snowboarding) will simply wet through the baselayers and then stay wet and go cold and clammy. If the sweat can disperse from your skin through the layers you core body temperature will stay higher.

A few baselayers, followed by a thin fleece layer and then a ski jacket should do the trick for your torso. Look for outer layers that are also windproof so that on blowy days your core body temperature is not affected by a cold wind whistling through.

Layering is also important on your legs and feet. Follow the same advice as for your torso. Ski leggings or baselayer tights followed by thicker ski pants are the ideal way to keep your legs at a comfortable temperature as you zoom down the slopes. Two pairs of thinner ski socks are better than one thick pair of socks, or go for a thinner baselayer sock and then a thicker ski sock over the top.

And for the skiing accessories

Skiing accessories are also vital. Think about how long you spend on a chairlift or a tow, and how cold you can so easily become. A hat that covers your ears is important although these days most adults and children choose to wear a helmet. If it’s particularly cold, wear a thin beanie style hat underneath your helmet.

A scarf or fleecy neck warmer stops the cold air rushing down the top of your torso. When it comes to ski gloves or mittens it depends on what you prefer. Skiing mittens will tend to keep you whole hand warmer. For really toasty hands wear a baselayer glove made of silk, or similar fabric. Hand warmers can also be a bonus on very cold days, or for later on in the day when you're exhausted from skiing.

Check out the OutdoorLook ski clothing sale, with up to 70% off some great brands.