When it comes to buying skis for your children, there's good news and bad. The good news is that current ski technology offers all of the same advantages of adult skis for younger skiers. The bad news is that kids grow like weeds. What you buy this season will probably be too small for your kids next year. But there's hope. If your child is just learning how to ski, it's a good idea to rent their skis until they decide whether or not they like the sport and are likely to continue. If it turns out that they do enjoy skiing and want to stick with it, ask yourself, "How many times are my kids likely to ski this year?" If the answer is fewer than 10 times, you may want to continue renting skis. Kids' equipment is tough to lug around on long winter ski trips, so it's easier if you just rent it at the resort. On the other hand, if they're likely to ski more than 10 times a year, then owning ski equipment is more economical than renting.
What to Look for
Like adult ski equipment, kids' equipment has changed a lot over the years. Skis tend to be shorter, lighter and easier to ski on than older designs. While there is no hard and fast rule about choosing the proper ski length for your child, most experts recommend choosing a ski that comes between their shoulders and their nose when the tails are placed on the floor. If your child is just beginning, don't be afraid to buy a shorter ski for them. Shorter skis tend to track slower when skiing straight (which is a good thing) and turn easier (an even better thing). While almost all modern skis are made with "sidecut" to help them carve turns, unless your child is over 50 pounds, it's not likely that they'll use it. It takes that much weight to flex a ski. As they get older and start growing into longer, higher performance skis, you'll want to pay more attention to the same things in a ski that you look for in your own.
Common Pitfalls
One of the biggest mistakes that parents make when outfitting their kids with ski equipment is buying cheap skis. The rationale makes sense. Why should you buy your child good skis when 1) you don't know if they'll like the sport and 2) they're just going to outgrow them by next year, anyway? Don't do it. Buying cheap ski gear is an invitation for disaster. Not only will they not perform well (resulting in a negative experience for your child), but if they break during the middle of your vacation, you'll spend half a day standing in the repair shop instead of having fun on the slopes. Another common mistake that parents make is to buy skis that are too long for their child, hoping that they'll grow into them next year. Nothing makes skiing more difficult to learn than skis that are not appropriately matched to the child's height and weight. Instead, look for ski sales every spring when dealers sell off their remaining stock. You can save big on their skis and all of their other clothing and equipment needs, as well. If your child grows out of their skis this year, hold onto them. You'll always be able to find someone who would love to inherit them.
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