
Hestra
Ages 1-9Baby Zip Long Mitt
What We Love
- Very warm for cold-weather outings
- Long cuff + zipper makes them much easier to get on
- Reinforced palms and fingers improve durability
Worth Knowing
- Expensive for baby mittens

The Lil' Ripper Gripper Kids Ski Trainer is a short-term tool for managing speed while kids are still figuring things out. The retractable leashes are the key feature. They keep tension consistent without slack dragging or tangling, which makes it easier to control speed without constantly yanking on the kid. Where it gets useful is when speed becomes the problem. As Ted Ligety points out in The Ultimate Guide to the Best Kids Ski Gear, that can be on steeper terrain where kids pick up speed faster than they can manage. In that setting, the leash lets you control speed without needing to ski directly in front of them. At the same time, this kind of tool can work against balance if it’s overused. If kids rely on the leash, they don’t learn to control speed with their own movements. The goal is to use it sparingly and phase it out as soon as they can link turns and stop on their own. The rear handle is straightforward and useful. It helps with loading onto lifts, getting kids back on their feet, and giving quick assistance when needed.

Hestra
Ages 1-9What We Love
Worth Knowing

Sweet Protection
Ages 5-13What We Love
Worth Knowing

Columbia
Ages 5-12What We Love
Worth Knowing

Orage
Ages 7-16What We Love
Worth Knowing
Get new guides, gear picks, and honest reviews from real families. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.