How to choose skis for a child's height: how to choose the right skis

In this article, we will tell you in detail how to choose skis for a child's height - this question is relevant for parents who are thinking about the physical development of their children. Skiing has absolutely no age limit, which means that you can introduce your child to this useful sport from an early age. The most important thing is to choose equipment for growth, otherwise, it will be difficult for the kid to master the correct riding technique. And also, an unsuitable pair can lead to injury, which can completely discourage a child from studying.

So, how to choose the right skis for a child, what criteria you need to pay attention to:

1. Age;
2. Growth;
3. Ability to ride;
4. Type;
5. Brand;
6. Price.

We propose to analyze in detail how to choose skis according to the child's height, taking into account each of the above key parameters.

How to choose skis by age

• Never try to pick up sports equipment "for growth" - it will be difficult for a child to learn how to ride correctly, and he will never feel real pleasure from the process. Meanwhile, it is this feeling that is the main motivation for further studies.
• Children under 5 years old should choose models whose length will be slightly less than their height.
• After 7 years, you should change the inventory for a product, the length of which will be 15-20 cm higher than the height;
• If the child is not yet 10 years old and is just learning to ride, you can choose a pair with bindings for ordinary shoes, but for older teenagers it is advisable to choose real models with bindings for ski boots.

Advice! If all your family members are avid skiers, buy models with the same bindings. In this case, younger children will be able to use the skis of their older brothers or sisters, but with their own shoes.

How to choose by height

You should know how to choose skis for a child by height - this parameter, by the way, is the most important, so pay special attention to it.

• The length of a pair for preschoolers should be 50-100 cm, this rule is especially important for children who have just begun to master the technique of skiing;
• Starting from 7 years old, when choosing equipment, they are guided by the requirement that the length of the skis should be 20 cm longer than the height of the skier;

• The length of the sticks, on the contrary, should be 20 cm less than the height indicator, they should reach the child's armpits.
• To make sure that you managed to find the right skis and poles for your child, take a ski pair, set it upright and place the young athlete next to it - if he can reach the top edge with his fingertips, the size is suitable.

By skill

Before you go to the store to choose children's skis, you must objectively assess the skills of the kid, that is, what is his current level of skiing - beginner, intermediate or confident. It is not enough to select skis according to the child's height, according to the table of children's sizes - it is equally important to choose the appropriate type of model, material of manufacture, as well as the shape of the structure, bindings and poles.

1. Skis are made of wood and plastic, the former glide less, and therefore are more suitable for beginner skiers. It is more difficult to achieve high speed on them, which means that the risk of injury is reduced. They are easier to maneuver when cornering, easier to brake. When the skier begins to feel more confident, you can switch to plastic models - they are more durable, slippery and lightweight;
2. The wider the pair, the easier it is to stand on it and start learning to ride, but be prepared for the fact that fast driving will not be available to you;
3. Don't buy professional models for a beginner, which, moreover, cost a lot of money - start with amateur equipment. In the future, if the child wants to go skiing professionally, it will be possible to return to this issue. Be prepared for babies to grow up very quickly. Try to choose the length of skis according to the child's height correctly, remember that every 2-3 years (or even more often) the inventory is updated.
4. For initial training, you need to choose a model by height, marked "step" - it means adaptation for children's skating. These skis do not roll backward and do not need to be lubricated.

Remember, to ensure better glide, skis must be lubricated with a special ointment - it is sold in all sports stores.

How to choose equipment by type of riding

In addition to learning the rules for the selection of skis and poles for children by height, age and skill, parents should understand the types of skis themselves. Today the following varieties are found in stores:

• Classic ones with notches develop a low speed, they do not roll back, the child will feel more confident on them. The main disadvantage of this model is that snow can stick to the back surface of the product in the area of ​​the notch, slowing down the run.

• Ridge without notches. If you want to choose skis for a 7 year old child who already has basic skiing skills, feel free to take skate skis. With them, a young athlete will feel the true pleasure of skiing, develop a dizzying speed, and feel the correct technique. There is always a sharp edge along the edges of such devices, which prevents them from sliding sideways. Skate models are shorter than the classic ones.

• Universal models are considered the golden mean between the previous two types. There are no notches here, but they are slightly wider than the ridge ones, and therefore easier to learn to ride on them.
• Mountain models are usually shorter than all others, they are lighter in weight, and their shape is slightly "fitted". The cost of such equipment is the highest, therefore, if you do not plan to ride regularly, and are only going to go to a ski resort once, it is better to rent equipment for the first time. And if you are going to do it seriously, it is better to read our instructions on how to choose alpine skis before buying.

If you can't find skis for your child in height, with the size chart presented above, you can do it without difficulty. Please note that there is also a column with the approximate age.

By the way! And you yourself do not want to get on the track too? Especially for you, we have prepared instructions on how to choose skating skis. Read, buy and go ahead to meet the records!

By brand and price

There are dozens of brands on the market today with a wide variety of price tags. If you want to pick up skis for your child for school for physical education lessons, you should not buy expensive models. If the child has expressed a desire to go in for skiing professionally and signed up for the section, make sure that his intentions are serious and, if they are confirmed, buy him good skis.

Here is a list of the brands that offer the best ski equipment:

• Volki;
• K2;
• ELAN;
• Nordica;
• Scott;
• Head;
• Fischer;
• Blizzard;
• Atomic.

If you decide to choose equipment from one of these brands, focus on the price range from 7 to 40 thousand rubles.

How to choose poles, bindings and boots

So, now you know what length to choose skis for the height of a child 5 years old and older, you understand the types and brands of models, but there are several more factors that affect the final choice.

Sticks

Very young children do not need to buy them - the most important thing is to teach the kids to ski, to give them the opportunity to feel the skill. Skating without sticks will help you learn to maintain balance, keep balance. The tip of children's poles is usually in the shape of a ring - this increases the area of ​​support on the snow surface.

Mountings

To choose the right skis for a 6-year-old child, pay attention to the bindings - their degree of rigidity should be moderate. The best option is a metal base and semi-rigid straps. Such mounts are not too rigid, they do not bind the feet, but they do not fly off either. Make sure that the lock is elastic and not tight - this way the child will be able to remove and put on the equipment on his own.

Ski shoes

Now you know how to choose the right skis and poles for your child, the next item will be the analysis of ski boots - what should they be and how important is their role against the background of the rest of the equipment?

The degree of comfort of the little skier depends on the boots - they should be warm, dry and comfortable. Try to choose shoes that are well insulated. The ideal option is the inner lining of boots with a membrane layer that removes moisture, but does not release heat. In such bots, the baby will not sweat or freeze, and therefore will never get sick. Of course, ski boots have to fit - not for growth, and not small. The clasp should be comfortable and easy - preferably in the form of a clip.

We hope that after reading our article you will be able to choose children's skis by height, age and other criteria. And also, you will not have any difficulties when choosing the rest of the ski equipment. In conclusion, we will give the main advice - do not look at the price tag, reviews or reputation of this or that brand. Always be guided by the child's feelings, interest and desires. If he liked the "blue" skis, they suit him in all respects and suit you at a cost - buy. After a couple of years, you will still replace them with larger ones. And today, support the interest of the child, do not let the sprouts of the desire to learn to ski wither without releasing the first leaves.

Watch the video: Ski SizingWhat Size Skis do I Need? REI (November 2024).