Is this the first time that you’re buying equipment? Consider renting first, especially if you’re getting it for children. This will let you try on the brand and the model and get a feel for comfort, warmth and durability. You’ll also know what size to get.

Once you have a clearer idea of what kind of gear you want, head for the stores to get the actual size, especially for ski lengths and types, boots, and poll. Even if you decide to buy online (where you can get excellent rates) you know what to order to get a good fit.

If you have more than one child, you may save more in the long run by getting brand new equipment which can be passed down from one sibling to another. You can also sell the equipment when the child outgrows it. If you prefer to buy second hand, then look at ski swaps or stores that specialize in used equipment. This is especially true for children’s equipment, since they were probably not used for very long.

Now what do you need to buy? Start with comfortable and snug ski boots and helmets. Children definitely need this to protect their heads from spills and falls, and some places make it mandatory before letting anyone on the slopes. Earbands and neck warmers keep kids warm, while goggles protect the eyes from sun, snow and wind.

Ski boards and ski polls are also crucial, although children who are below five years old will not need the latter. Be sure to get wrist guards for snow boarders, gloves, and a ski suit. If you are going skiing with very young children you may want to invest in a ski harness. Another practical investment is a lock (one for every one in the family!) to protect equipment from theft.

It’s also important to bring warm and bright clothing. It’s advisable to wear several layers of clothes rather than getting one bulky coat. As for snow suits, look for those that are water proof, wind resistant, and very visible against the snow (red always works). You should also check for wind flaps at the wrists and ankles that help keep out the snow. If you’re buying for kids, make sure you don’t get coats that have drawstrings at the hood, which can be strangling hazards if they get caught on equipment. Sew name tags inside the clothes. They shouldn’t be visible to strangers but can help if kids get lost. And always make sure each child has a map and a hotel brochure inside the coat.

The winter season is a great chance for you and your family to have fun in the outdoors, but you need to take the proper safety precautions.

First of all, never go out without listening to the weather report and then taking the necessary safety precautions. Don’t take foolish risks. If they say that there might be a very strong wind chill or extreme cold, then stay inside the inn or hotel rather than heading far out. And take avalanche warnings seriously! Better safe than sorry.

Second of all, you and your family should be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia, snow blindness and frost bite. You should also know how to treat it in cases of emergency, and provide simple rules for even young children to follow in case they get lost or injured.

Third of all, bundle up. Layer your clothes and wear items that are weather-proof. Be sure that you and your kids have the proper safety gear as well, including helmets, neck guards and mittens. The neck guard should also cover the ears and nose. Avoid any children’s jackets that have draw strings around the neck which can accidentally hook to equipment and pose as a strangling hazard.

Also, you should choose clothes that have a comfortable fit, since very tight clothes can cut off circulation, which increase risks of frost bite. Bright colors are also easier to spot in the snow (save that white winter jacket for city wear).

Fourth of all, it’s best to be indoors by dusk. The lower visibility doubles or even triples the risk of getting lost, and as a tourist you aren’t familiar with the area. This is the same reason why you should avoid taking alcohol before venturing outdoors (have your beer at night, in the safety of your resort restaurant). Fifth, teach children safety measures and be extra vigilant about equipping them with the appropriate safety gear (like helmets and mittens). They should know simple rules like “don’t touch metal when it’s cold” or “don’t throw snow at other people”. What may seem like a harmless snowball fight can end up in injury, since snowballs may have stones or ice chunks that can hurt the eyes (a law suit can put quite a damper on your vacation!). They should never go out without an adult.

During the summer, everyone wants to kick back and relax—even for just a few days. But the winter’s a great time to take a vacation, too. After all, at the end of the year, you deserve to unwind and de-stress. And what better way to celebrate Christmas and the New Year than to reconnect as a family?

There are many kinds of winter vacations, and you can choose from a number of tourist destinations and travel packages to suit your preference, needs and budget.

Head for the Beach

It may be December or January, but who says you can’t hit the beach? In places like Spain, the sun shines all year round. You can have your bit of “summer” right now, even if the rest of the world is covered under a blanket of snow. Going to the beach can even lift your spirits. Scientists and doctors have discovered that people do experience depression during the winter months because of the lack of sunlight. If you’ve been listless, bored, unusually weepy, or just feeling drained, book a vacation today and get some sunshine back into your spirit.

Enter a Winter Wonderland

One of the world’s most popular winter destinations is the Ice Hotel in Sweden. Found in the riverside village of Jukkasjarvi, this unique resort is made every winter out of over ten thousand tonnes of ice and thirty thousand tones of snow. There’s nothing like it anywhere else, and the children will get a kick out of saying that they’ve lived in an honest to goodness igloo! (Not only that, an igloo with room service.) One of the key features of the hotel is the Absolut Ice Bar, which has become quite a party destination for the twenty something crowd.

Take a Cruise

During the winter, the seas are calm and perfect for a cruise. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season—the mad shopping crowds, the rush to get things done before the end of the year, the flurry of parties. You can go island hopping on the Mediterranean or visit several European destinations.