About Children's Skis
With the increased popularity of family ski trips, parents must either buy or rent skis for their kids. However, the criteria for choosing skis for children is a bit different than choosing skis for adults. Learn more about skis for children so you can pick the best ones.
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Identification
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Consider what materials you want for your children's skis. Most children's skis are made of flexible materials. In general, the core material in a ski can be plastic, foam, wood or wood with titanium. For beginner skiers and children, plastic or foam core skis are lightweight and easier to push. However, for long term use, they may not be as sturdy as other materials. Many ski resorts use wood core skis for rentals, since these skis are quite sturdy but a bit heavier.
Function
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For general alpine skis, the length should be no longer than the length from your child's foot to your child's head. Your child should be able to walk around in the skis without having the tips of the skis cross over each other. Most children start out with all mountain skis. Eventually, if your older child decides to race, you can then purchase specialized junior racing skis for that purpose.
Newer ski designs feature paddle shaped skis, so children can turn with less effort. These type of skis are also shorter in length. When choosing skis for your kids, keep in mind their height, weight, skiing ability and overall aggressiveness. -
Size
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Your children's ski boots should also fit well, with enough space for toes to move, but not too much space. Pull out the inner lining of the ski boot. Then have your child put his foot on it, with his heel pressed against the back of the liner to get a correct measurement. The "toe room" space should be between 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch. Some parents try to save money by buying bigger ski boots, but it is important that the children's ski boots fit correctly. If the ski boots are too big, then the child cannot move properly and may feel frustrated with skiing.
Features
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In addition to ski boots, you may need to purchase bindings, or the set of fasteners that attach the ski boot to the ski itself. The general rule for bindings is the lower the number, the less force you will need to release them. Many children's skis come with integrated bindings, which float on the top of the ski. You can also purchase bindings and skis separately. For kids learning how to ski, the ability to step in or out of skis safely makes them feel more in control. A good ski shop technician can correctly set the bindings based on your child's weight, height, boot size and skiing ability.
Prevention/Solution
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If possible, have your child try a variety of ski so they can find a pair that offers comfort, ease of movement and durability. It may be useful to rent skis for your children, especially if you don't ski very often or if you think your kids will quickly outgrow any skis you buy. If you decide to buy new skis for your kids, consider buying from a ski shop that allows you to trade-in older gear.
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