Are ski goggles necessary or will sunglasses suffice?

[Mom0012]

My son is going skiing for the first (and possibly the last) time tomorrow. He wears glasses and has clip-on sunglasses he can put on those. Does he need to have ski goggles, and, if so, do they make them so that they fit over glasses?

 

Thanks so much!

[jenL]

I'm not sure if goggles will fit over glasses (it's been years since I've skied), but sunglasses are fine unless it will be snowing while he skis. I used my goggles when it was really cold or if it was snowing; all other times, I usually wore my sunglasses. Hope he has fun!

[MIch elle]

I would highly recommend ski goggles. If it's very cold, they keep the face warmer; if it's windy, it keeps the blowing snow out; if they are making snow while you are skiing, you can SEE. Also if it's prescription glasses he's wearing, then goggles over his glasses will prevent loss and breakage of those glasses. Yes, they have goggles that go over glasses.

[Cosmos]

Yes, they fit over glasses (more or less).

 

Ski goggles are better because they keep your face much warmer, but if it's first time skiing he probably won't be going very fast. I have skiied without goggles and it's okay. My ds started off without goggles and still enjoyed skiing. He didn't even have sunglasses.

 

I hope it's warmer where you are. My ds was supposed to go skiing tomorrow but it was cancelled due to very cold weather.

[Kim in Appalachia]

I agree with Michelle, and I just want to stress that you don't want to risk the breaking of his glasses. It will be worth the googles. You may want to see if you could borrow them from someone you know.

[Tess in the Burbs]

Is he good at skiing? I would get some goggles. If you fall down you could break glasses and get snow up your nose and face, lol. It does keep the face warmer and the eyes from watering from the wind blowing over your face.

[TravelingChris]

Depends how cold it will be. DD just went skiing for the second time and had sunglasses and they were not a problem. The temperatures were in the 30's and I am sure she wasn't skiing so fast.

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

First time skiing? he probably won't even leave the beginner slope. Sunglasses would be fine. If he ever gets on a chairlift, then I would think twice, depending on temperature.

My son did his first year of skiing without any glasses at all, and he was fine.

[Dandelion]

I would definitely recommend goggles. For me, it's not so much the cold, but the wind. When the wind whips past your glasses into your eyes, it can not only be extremely uncomfortable, but painful. The few times I skied with just sunglasses, my eyes ended up watering much of the day and made things a lot less enjoyable. So I only ski with goggles now.

 

Guess that could vary based on where you're skiing. Up here in the Rockies, it can get extremely windy.

[aggieamy]

I wear glasses and always ski with goggles. It keeps the wind out of your eyes and if he should fall - he's going to lose his glasses possibly and definetly his clip-on sunglasses. Unless he's in desperate need of his glasses to see I'd have him just wear the goggles. I'd also insist on a helmet which fit great with goggles.

[gardenmom5]

what's the weather going to be like?

 

if it's icky, snowing/raining, I wore goggles.

 

If it's sunny - I wore sunglasses.

 

and if it was overcast - sometimes I didn't wear anything (as I never raced down a mt at 60mph either)

 

if this is his first time - he won't be racing down any runs at speeds where the wind will adversely affect his eyes.

 

I would suggest an elastic strap to help keep the glasses on - that way when he falls (and newbie skiers fall), he will keep his glasses with him.

[Mom0012]

Thanks for the info! It will be cold (24 degrees), but not very windy. I think I'll check out the local thrift shop or try to borrow a pair. If I can't find any that way, I'll just have him see how he does with the sunglasses and then he can buy some at the ski shop if he has to.

[jennynd]

Both my kids, (one on black diamond and the other one starts this year) wear googles. It gets windy even it is not on the top of the mountain, so goggle keep their face warm. Also, the mountain we go makes snow every chance they can and you will really want a goggle when you ski through those snow making areas.

[Hikin' Mama]

Personally, I don't like wearing goggles and so I always only wear sunglasses.

[wapiti]

I vote goggles if this is an all-day situation. The only times my kids have gone without goggles is when DH takes a 4 y.o. out for an hour or something. Goggles are helpful both for sun and for snow.

 

And definitely a helmet!

[5of5]

You really need to try out the goggles with your eye glasses. I've had goggles that are OK, but I've also had goggles that are too tight of a fit, and press your eye glasses against your face.

[DianeW88]

I wear goggles. Then I don't care so much if I get a face full of snow...they won't break, where glasses might. Plus, they just protect your eyes better. Windburned eyes are painful!!

[Arcadia]

We went tubing for the whole,day and it was the wind and glare that make googles worth while. We had windburn eyes with just sunglasses. My kids can wear the adult sized ones since they have "big heads". They have googles that fit over spectacles.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I agree with all the reasons above, such as being able to see better and keeping your face warm. Let me add a new reason: goggles may have kept me from breaking my nose when I was about nine. I smacked my face against the snow and the goggles took the force. They broke, but better them than my nose.

[Harriet Vane]

My kids ski in sun glasses all the time.

[Mom28kds]

I prefer goggles. If it might be his only time, maybe you can borrow some. They keep the wind from blowing across your eyes. Plus staying warmer. We haven't skied in a long time and don't tend to spend money on frivolous things and we felt goggles were worth it.