Dress in layers. Layering allows you to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature. For example, dress your kids in polypropylene underwear (top and bottoms) which feels good next to the skin, dries quickly, absorbs sweat and keeps you warm. Your kids should also wear a rollneck shirt, possibly a sweater or fleece and of course a jacket.

Be prepared. Mother nature has a mind of her own. Kids should wear a hat or headband, 80 percent of heat-loss is through the head. Kids should also wear gloves or mittens (mittens are usually better for kids who are susceptible to cold hands).

Be sure they wear sun protection, even on cloudy days. The sun reflects off the snow and is stronger than you think!

Have quality sunglasses and goggles with them. Skiing is a lot more fun when you can see. Always wear proper eye protection.

When buying skiwear, Kidski looked for fabric that is water and wind-resistant, storm flaps to shield zippers, snug cuffs at wrists and ankles, collars that can be snuggled up to the chin and drawstrings that can be adjusted for comfort and keep wind out. These are all reflected in the Kidski catalogue.

Kidski  recommends that your child has the name and phone number of your hotel written down on a piece of paper and it's in a secure pocket along with all their other bits and pieces. Although it is very unlikely that your child would get separated from the instructor, be sure your child has a piste map and is able to remember the instructor's name.

When you've decided where to take your ski trip, call the ski resorts in the area and research how each area's children ski school programs are structured. Ask about the number of kids in the class? What if your child gets cold? What if your child wants to stop skiing after one hour?

Put your kids in ski school to get them on the right track. Children's instructors know how to teach kids, it's their business. Then you'll enjoy skiing with your kids and they will be proud to show you their skiing abilities.

An observance from a long-time skier is that when his daughter skied with him, she regressed, as opposed to skiing with her peers in a lesson. "She wanted to ski in-between my legs and fell down more often. We had fun with her being silly, but a lesson allowed her to focus on her skiing and she really excelled."

In 1997, 51 percent of resort visitors began skiing before the age of 17, according to the National Skier/Boarder Opinion Survey.

Starting your kids early, opens a world of adventure, fun, laughter and beautiful scenery unsurpassed, from many other sports and interests. It's a tremendous feeling to learn that your kids' fondest childhood memories were of your family ski holidays and now skiing has become an important element in their lives. Your kids will be forever grateful to you when they become adults!