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Tips for planning winter travel: SnowCast review

February 8, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

This post brought to you by SnowCast. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Pit Stops for Kids.

We love winter trips at Pit Stops for Kids, but traveling during the winter months to and from most North American destinations requires more trip planning and preparation than the average vacation. We recently returned from a long weekend ski trip to Colorado, and used the following tips to have a safer and easier travel day on both ends of the trip.

Predict snowfall with SnowCast:

We recently checked out the SnowCast app, available for iOS, which can show users how many inches of snow may fall in any location. Once the app was downloaded to my phone, I was able to choose the ‘now’ option to see how much snow to expect immediately, or the ‘later’ option to see how much snow was predicted to fall up to 48 hours later. Because I was departing from a wintery location as well as arriving to one, I used the app to see how much snow to expect both at home on our departure day as well as at our destination.

With this information, I knew if I needed to wake up earlier than planned to get to the airport (the answer was no, I would not need to shovel out my car) and if I could expect a longer commute to the ski resort once I landed (the answer was yes, unfortunately!). I found the SnowCast app to be easy to use, with a clean interface, and I love that it gets its predictions from NOAA, which is where I turn for snow forecasts already.

Download the app

Prepare your car for winter trips:

If you’re driving instead of flying for your winter trip, use a weather tool like SnowCast to prepare your car as well as plan your route. We absolutely always have the following items in a tote at the back of our car during winter weather trips:

snow chains (that fit our car…check tire size)
collapsible snow shovel
extra gloves, a head lamp, and a small tarp (fold the tarp to use if you must kneel or lie on the snow to put on chains)
a blanket or two
one case of bottled water

I like that I can use SnowCast mid-trip, checking conditions as I go. We’ll have it at the ready on our next winter road trip, which will be in a few weeks.

Pack carefully for winter trips:

I hate over-packing almost as much as I hate checked luggage fees. However, it’s very hard to pack light for a family trip in winter. Here’s what we do:

On ski trips, bring ski or snowboard boots in a boot bag as your ‘personal item’, and rent skis or boards at your destination.
Wear bulky winter items such as boots or jackets on the plane to save room.
When headed to warm-weather destinations, utilize airport coat checks…you can leave your winter coats at the airport, and retrieve them before heading back out to the cold parking garage!
Roll thinner winter items, such as thermals and wool socks, to save space.
Use packing cubes to store like-items that may only come out once or twice during a trip, such as extra sweaters or winter gloves.

What are your best tips for winter trips?

Travel Gear We Use: Sony Alpha a5000 review

July 11, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

For most family travel situations, I strongly advocate using a quality point-and-shoot camera so you can easily take shots on the fly (in water, on sand, where ever, whenever). However, there is a time and place for a DSLR. For today’s Travel Gear We Use segment, we recommend the Sony Alpha a5000 for those trips during which once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities will present themselves.

The part in which I admit I’m not a photographer:

It’s true. I’m a writer, not a photographer. But I’m complimented frequently on my photos. I attribute my success to two things: 1. taking copious shots from all angles (and deleting most later), 2. using quality gear.

What I love about the Alpha a5000 is, you don’t need to know a lot to use it. Don’t be intimated by this high-end camera (that actually sells for under $500!). Just like on your point-and-shoot, it’s possible to set the Alpha a5000 to one of several automatic shooting modes, and learn to adjust manually as you go. The a5000 comes with tons of scene selection options, plus apps you can add as desired. You can edit as you go (on the camera) and take video, of course.

The a5000 is mirror less, with a 16-50 mm lens. I suggest buying a second lens as well, if possible, to expand your reach, so to speak. I added the E-18-200mm to mine. Find lenses that fit here. I love the flip screen on the a5000, which allows me to find new angles without getting on the ground, and makes for easier video taping. The a5000 does give you the option of using PlayMemories Camera Apps and transferring photos instantly via WiFi, but I personally rarely use these features, preferring to edit on my computer. For fast social media sharing, my phone is still king.

Where I see the difference between my Alpha a5000 and my point-and-shoot:

long distance shots: you just can’t zoom like this with a point-and-shoot!
nighttime shots: you get several scene selections that work at night
portraits: I love, love, love the a5000’s soft skin effect!

Trips where the a5000 rocks:

A cruise
A safari
Any wilderness venture during which you have time to set up shots and are reasonably sure you won’t get wet

Trips on which I was glad to have my point-and-shoot:

River rafting trips
Beach trips
City touring
Backpacking

Pick one up for $449 (on sale!) at Sony, or grab the Sony Alpha a5000 on Amazon for a few bucks less.

Find more gear in the Travel Gear We Use series (click below):

Disclosure: Pit Stops for Kids frequently tests and reviews Sony products, for the purpose of review. This partnership comes with no expectation of a positive review.

Travel Gear We Use: best point and shoot camera for vacation photos

January 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We’re continuing our Travel Gear We Use series with our #1 pick for an all-around best point and shoot camera for taking family vacation photos. We own several cameras, but only one comes with us on each and every family trip.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 is a little (and affordable!) camera that packs a big punch. Certified waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and freeze-proof, the Cyber-Shot fits in your pocket and can take anything your vacation throws at it. We love the touch screen with tons of focus selections, but auto works great, too. The 3.0 screen is big enough to see what you’re doing, and the full HD 1080 records stills and video. You get a 16.2 Exmor R CMOS sensor, which means you’ll get crisp, sharp photos even in odd lighting situations like twilight or underwater. There’s a panorama setting, and sports and action settings.

I have several cameras on-hand for documenting various types of travel, but the Sony Cyber-Shot always comes with us. Why not? It’s small, easy to carry along, and won’t be grounded by sand, dust, water, or cold. It’s safe in the pocket of your ski pants, around your wrist while you’re swimming, and for every situation in-between. In fact, every shot in this video of Riviera Maya Mexico was taken with the Sony Cyber-Shot.

Because it’s so indestructible, it’s also a great pick for kids. We pass the Sony around while on vacation, and I don’t have to worry about it in the hands of the kids. Our boys can navigate the touch screen easily, and love taking underwater pics. (If you’ve bought a disposable underwater camera lately, you know what a hassle it is to develop the film, and how costly those precious few photos available to you are.)

We also love that the Cyber Shot is only 99 at Amazon.

More Travel Gear We Use:
Best carry-on luggage for kids
Best overnight backpacking for kids and youth
Best packing cubes and TSA bags for the family

Photo credit.

Travel gifts for kids: affordable POV action cam picks

December 6, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Do your kids want a POV camera or camcorder for Christmas? Tweens and teens love POV cams, and mine are no exception. However, these rugged, adaptable action video cameras can be expensive! Below are two affordable POV action cam picks that won’t set you back and will keep your kids happy during outdoor travel adventures.

Kids love to challenge themselves and try new skills, and with action cams, they can record their feats, post them on social media sites, and share with friends. My kids bring action cameras to the ski slopes, on mountain biking trails, and even underwater.

Sony Wifi Action Video Camera:

The Sony Action Cam is less expensive than a Go Pro, with all the same bells and whistles. Kids can mount the camera on their helmets, take them on or under water with the waterproof case, strap them to their handlebars, or wrap them around their head with a headband. The Action Cam is small enough to toss into a lightweight backpack or even a jacket pocket, and with only one button for on and off, gloves don’t even have to come off to get the scene rolling. Unlike a Go Pro, the Action Cam does not have a screen, but kids can sync the camera straight to a smart phone. (There are pros and cons of this: see our full Action Cam review for details.) We like the HD quality and the fact that with wifi enabled, we can upload our videos instantly. It can also be used with a USB cable or photo card. Pick it up as a family gift for under $230 on Amazon.

Oregon Scientific ATC Chameleon Action Video Camera:

The Chameleon is unique in that it shoots duel perspectives simultaneously. While capturing the speed of her snowboard on the snow, your daughter can also video the expression on her own face. Both perspectives are displayed together on a split screen view. The Chameleon is more lightweight than the Sony Action Cam, but also a little less rugged. A waterproof case can be bought as an accessory, as well as helmet mounts and pole/handlebar mounts. It fits in the palm of your hand, and captures full HD video. Like the Sony, video is transferred via photo card or USB, but cannot be transferred wirelessly. Grab it for only $199 on Amazon.

Want more travel gifts for kids? Here are some ideas!
Best hydration packs for kids
Nikon Coolpix Giveaway