Buying guide for Best kids’ snow skis
If you love skiing and want your kids to enjoy it, too, you need to get them some skis. Buying skis is an investment that requires care, especially if you’re buying for a young person who may be somewhat picky about fit and needs something that can be easily put on and taken off.
The length of skis in relation to your child’s size, both height and weight, is one of the most important points to take into consideration. Size also relates to skill level; shorter skis are easier to maneuver and turn, so a beginner would need something shorter than an advanced skier.
Key considerations
Experience and size
The right ski length for a child varies depending on their skill level. As mentioned, shorter skis are easier to maneuver and turn, so you’ll want to start with skis that are approximately chin height if you’re outfitting a beginner.
If your child has already been on the slopes a few times and is confident in their abilities, a longer set of skis is recommended. Start with skis that come up their eyebrows, adding or subtracting a bit of length according to their weight and/or height.
Weight and height
Skis are often measured using the metric system. There is some wiggle room here, but if your child is 135 centimeters tall (4 feet, 5 inches), they need skis that are around 119 centimeters long, which would be just about chin height. If your child is 4 feet, 6 inches tall, they need skis that are 125 centimeters long.
Another way skis can be fitted is based on weight. If your child weighs 40 to 50 pounds, they’ll use skis that are approximately 90 centimeters long. If they weigh 50 to 60 pounds, they’ll use skis that are approximately100 centimeters long.
You can easily find this information by searching online, though it varies somewhat from source to source. Sometimes, the ski manufacturer will provide a chart that helps you determine what’s best.
Cross country vs. downhill
Children’s skis aren’t intended to be used on downhill slopes the way adult skies are. They can be used on the bunny slope or beginner slope, but the bottom of the skis aren’t meant to be waxed for speed. These are more akin to cross country skis than anything else.
Features
Material
Children’s skis are almost always made from plastic. Many times, the inner core is softer and more flexible than the rest of the ski. This makes them soft and forgiving; the skis flex and bend without the child exerting extra effort.
Ease of use
The more flexible skis are, the easier it will be for a child to learn to use them. They usually don’t have metal edges, but they do come with uplifted tips, called rockers, to prevent snow plowing with the skis.
Bindings
The bindings on children’s skis are different than the bindings on adult skis. They are adjustable straps of one variety or another, sometimes touted as “universal” bindings. That means the skis won’t pop off during an accident or fall.
The bindings on kids’ snow skis don’t use Velcro. Rather, they use web straps through a cinch that have three-pronged quick releases, so you can still get the child out of the skis in a hurry if you need to.
Ski poles
For beginners, ski poles can be a hindrance rather than a help. Youngsters who are new to skiing won’t be making any sharp turns where poles would be helpful, and if you’re supervising closely, they may not even need them to stay upright. Until your child is comfortable enough on the slopes to use them in stride, some suggest that it’s better to go without poles.
Of course, some kid’s skis come with poles. If your purchase includes poles, you could always confiscate them until the appropriate time.
Accessories
Kids’ snowsuit: Bluemagic Big Kid's One Piece Snowsuits
Available in seven bright colors for the little princess in your family, these one-piece snowsuits from Bluemagic are machine washable and cold-resistant down to -30°F.
Snow gloves: YR.Lover Children Ski Gloves (2-4Y)
These warm, snowproof winter gloves from YR. Lover come in 16 brilliant colors to suit the most discriminating child. Keep their little hands warm while they frolic in the snow.
Goggles: Yidomto Ski Goggles, Pack of 3
These ski goggles from Yidomto have wrap-around UV protection and anti-glare protection to keep your children safe on bright days when the snow glares in their faces. This package of three pairs is highly affordable for a multi-child family.
Ski cap: YING LAN Kids Faux Fur Winter Ski Cap
These lined caps from YING LAN have ear flaps along with a lined face guard that can be pulled around to protect everything under the eyes. Choose from 11 eye-catching colors.
Kids’ snow ski prices
There isn’t a huge variation in price among kid’s skis, but you could spend closer to $40 or closer to $100. The choice is yours. Quality is sometimes, but not always, reflected by price. If you opt for a cheaper pair of skis, durability may suffer somewhat. However, if you’re buying for a child who is still growing, you may not mind if the skis only last a winter or two.
Tips
- Don’t polish or wax your child’s skis. Children’s skis are intended to be slow while they’re learning to ski.
- If you connect the front end of your children’s skis with a short bungee cord, it will force them to ski with the tips pointed toward each other. This increases their control and stability.
- Ski poles shouldn’t be used by toddlers and children under four, even though many of them come with the poles. Wait until they’re a little older before adding that complication to the activity.
FAQ
Q. How long will it take to put the skis on my kids?
A. If you put their boots and skis on at the house to adjust the straps, then use the three-pronged release catch, it shouldn’t take long at all to put them back on — just a few minutes.
Q. How strong are the included ski poles?
A. Not very strong at all. They are just plastic poles with a lot of flexibility in them.
Q. How long can my kids use these skis?
A. Your children will probably outgrow them in a year or so. Two skiing seasons of use is the most you can reasonably expect.
