How to Size a Child for Downhill Skis
Downhill skiing is a sport that children as young as three or four years of age can enjoy if they have the right equipment. Whether you are buying or renting downhill skis for your children, you need to make sure that the skis are the right size. When skis are too long, it can be very dangerous for children who are not big enough to control their skis, in addition to making it more difficult for them to learn how to ski.
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Instructions
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Size Children for Downhill Skis
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Put a pair of thick and warm skiing socks on your child's feet and measure each of them, from the back of the heel to the tip of the big toe, in centimeters. Round the larger foot up to the nearest centimeter to find the right boot size, and add a centimeter or two to grow into if you are purchasing ski boots.
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Measure the distance in centimeters between the floor and your child's chin, rounding down to the nearest ten. This the longest ski length children under the age of six should use, and for most young beginners, mid-chest or shoulder height is long enough.
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As children become more experienced with skiing and get better at turning their skis, you can get them longer skis. If your child is comfortable turning on an intermediate-rated slope, she is probably experienced enough for skis that are eye-height.
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Tips & Warnings
Shaped skis are unnecessary at sizes under 130 cm because the shape is not significant enough to make a difference in the ability to turn them. Until children can turn well, they do not need to use poles.
If you are purchasing downhill skis for your child, do not get them too long so he can grow into them. Children should never use skis that are too big for them, as they could have difficulty turning and lose control while skiing. It is far better to ski on a pair of skis that are too short a couple years down the road than skis that are too long now.
For safety reasons, parents should strongly consider purchasing or renting a ski helmet to protect children from head injuries.
