How to Select Children's Skis

Finding the appropriate ski for your child requires matching the correct ski to your child's ability. Shaped skis make an excellent choice for children.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Skis

1. Choose the correct length of ski by taking into account your child's height, weight and skiing ability. Shorter skis are much easier for a beginner to control; however, a lightweight intermediate skier will also be more comfortable on shorter skis.

2. Pick a shaped ski that's an all-mountain ski. Extra side cut and specialized skis, while available, are not necessary for skiing well.

3. Look for a ski that bends slightly when pressure is applied to the center while holding the tip. A super-stiff ski is not ideal for a child.

4. Check to see that the skis have camber. When you place the ski bases together, the skis should bow out in a convex shape, creating a space between each other, while the tips and tails are touching.

5. Talk to the salesperson, since there are several variables unique to your child.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on how much your child skis, a pair of skis ought to last two seasons.
• The ski resort's rental shops usually have good deals on skis as the season comes to a close.

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on 1/6/2006 Make sure to talk to a skiing expert about specifically your child, as it can vary a lot. Even so, there are a couple of guidelines to follow:

Flex: The way skis used to cave was by flexing as you turned. It's still important today. Make sure (as mentioned above) that with your hand on the tip of the ski, and the tail braced against the ground, you can bend the ski without exerting yourself. It should be neither easy nor hard for children's skis, but just require a little weight. Often, the cool skis that most salesmen will push will be the most expensive, and also the stiffest. Remember, that may not be the best for your child.

Size: Most ski manufactures make their various ski models in 5 or 7cm increments. A good basic judge of correct fit is to take the ski, tails on the floor, and note where it comes up to on the child. If the tip is around the bridge of the child's nose, that's usually a decent fit.

Camber: For Nordic skiers, the camber of the ski is key. For alpine skiers, it's less of an issue. Yes, there should be camber to the ski, but it will not be anything drastic. If you are buying new skis, don't worry about it. If you're buying used - check.

And again, the best way to find good kids equipment is to talk to a professional instructor or skiing expert about your specific situation.