How to Fit Kids’ Ski Equipment

For our first blog post, We wanted to go over a question often asked throughout the ski season. How do I know what size ski is right for my child? When figuring out ski length there are a few factors that come into play. Generally, the ski tip should be between the chin and the top of the head. If the child is just starting out, it is fine for the ski to be a few inches under the chin. A shorter ski will take less effort to maneuver and allow for easier control. As the child progresses in ability, the ski length should increase. An intermediate skier’s ski will come up to about nose level while an advanced skier’s will come up to eyebrow level.  A longer ski allows for greater stability at higher speeds and decreases chatter (when a ski slaps up and down against the snow). The trick with kids is to keep it fun. With the proper fitting equipment and run selection, your kid(s) will have a blast on the slopes.

Boots and poles are next on the list when getting your kid(s) ready for skiing. With boots the child’s toes should come to the front of the boot. You don’t want them crammed but close to the end because when he/she bends their knees to ski the heel will drive further back into the boot and bring the toes back with it. Kid often say the boot is too tight. A trick we use here (besides measuring the size of the foot) is to flip the boot upside down and place the foot on the bottom of the boot. If you child it just learning how to ski, then you don’t need poles. It’s just one more thing to lose and overwhelm your little one. If you do end up getting poles, the rule is to flip the poles upside down and have your child grab the poles beneath the basket. You want their elbows at 90 degrees.

Another question we get a lot is about how to fit a helmet to a child. the process of fitting a helmet is the same whether it’s an adult or a child, Most helmets these days have dials on the back which are used to adjust a helmet. People often buy helmets that are too big and use the dial to make the helmet as small as possible. A good rule of thumb is if you can easily fit your fingers between the helmet and the dial, go to the next size down. A helmet should fit snugly on  the head before the chin strap is secured. You don’t want a helmet that slides up and down on the forehead.

When I was starting out skiing my dad would take me to the bunny slope and we would do a few runs. We would quit before I got tired or frustrated. This left me with a desire to go out and ski more the next day. With kids the key is to not over do it and make fun. Also, candy helps.

PS: Don’t forget hand warmers and neck gaiters