How to choose the right skis and ski poles according to the height and weight of a child or adult: table. How to choose cross-country, skating and classic skis and poles for them? Selection of skis and ski poles by height

The main type of equipment in alpine skiing is alpine skiing. When enrolling a child in a section, it is very important to choose the right skis so that the child feels comfortable on the slope and the lessons are only enjoyable.

Let's look at how to choose alpine skis for a child, as well as a helmet, boots and other equipment, what to look for and what standards need to be taken into account.

Types of alpine skiing

Many parents mistakenly believe that alpine skiing is divided only into sports and amateur. This is not entirely true. If you delve deeper into the topic, it will become clear that for each type of skiing for children there are different types of skis. Of course, if you are choosing skis for a child 4-7 years old who is just taking his first steps in the sport, amateur or all-purpose skis that are easy to control will suit him. But if a young athlete has already chosen a direction in alpine skiing, skis must be chosen in accordance with the requirements of the discipline and FIS standards.

Let's consider the most popular types of skiing and the necessary equipment:

• Freeride/Freeskiing/Big Mountain. These sports involve aggressive descent on unimproved terrain. These disciplines are characterized by high speed and complex jumps. Freeride/Freeskiing/Big Mountain skis are stable and easy to control at speed. These characteristics are possible with a camber of increased rigidity, as well as an increased length of the skis;
• Racing. This type of skiing involves downhill skiing on a specially prepared and marked track. Tough trails and high speed define the main characteristics of Racing skis. First of all, what is important here is the increased rigidity of the skis, which can absorb the serious loads of the athlete;
• All Mountain. This is an amateur type of skiing. All Mountain skis are versatile and are perfect for skiing on groomed trails and slopes with shallow snow. Choosing such skis will not be difficult, because they are available in every store and rental;
• Freestyle. An Olympic sport that requires endurance, courage and agility from the athlete. Freestyle includes several varieties, each of which requires specific skis. So, for example, for trick styles, Aerials that are curved on both sides are more suitable, while for downhill skis, only the curve on the toe side is needed.

Alpine skiing is a traumatic sport in which equipment is one of the safety criteria, which means that skis must meet not only the taste of the athlete, but also international safety standards.

What you need to know about lubricants

There are two types of ointments for plastic skis

– holding and sliding. The first ointment is applied to the central part of smooth skis (block), which are designed for classic skiing. This ointment is available in liquid and solid form. It is selected depending on the temperature of the snow. The functions of such a lubricant are similar to those performed by notches - to prevent skis from slipping back when pushing off, so there is no need to apply it to skis with notches, unlike sliding lubricant, which is applied to any type of ski.

Ski slip wax provides, as the name implies, good glide. It is applied to the back and front of a classic ski, regardless of whether the option with or without a notch is chosen. For skating skis, lubricant is applied to the entire surface.

How to choose ski boots and bindings for a child

The main thing to instill when choosing ski boots is mandatory fitting. Most often for children they are soft and comfortable, but for babies these are still heavy shoes, so you need to try on and choose the most comfortable model. Also, when choosing boots, it is not recommended to buy them for growth; they should fit snugly, but not pinch the leg.

Your child shouldn’t have any problems choosing bindings for alpine skis. It is better to give preference to fastenings on the platform, which can change the size to fit any boots.

How to choose the correct length of skis and skating ski poles for children and adults?

a group of adults skiing on flat surfaces on skate skis.
Those who have perfectly mastered the technique of gliding on classic skis can safely buy skate skis for themselves. This applies to both adults and children.

As for the length of skate skis, take them 10 centimeters more than your height. And the poles, on the contrary, are 10-15 cm shorter. In other words, the latter will rise slightly above shoulder level.

For clarity, we add a table:

selection of skating skis for children and adults by height, table

Optimal stiffness of ski boots

Stiffness is one of the main parameters of ski boots, which you need to pay attention to when choosing. Stiffness is indicated as an index, and it is on this parameter that the energy transfer from the athlete’s foot to the ski depends. The stiffer the boots, the more effective the athlete's control over the ski.

Based on their stiffness, ski boots are divided into three groups:

• Soft – with an index from 50 to 90;
• Medium hardness with an index from 90 to 115;
• Hard ones with an index above 115.

Professional athletes choose hard boots, but it is not recommended for children to buy them, because they are difficult to put on and take off, their feet may get cold and it is more difficult to walk in them. When choosing children's boots for alpine skiing, it is better to give preference to models with medium hardness.

Cross-country skiing

Children's cross-country skis come in three types: skis for classic skiing, which is most often used by young skiers, skis for skating and all-around skis. Without mastering the “classics”, there is no point in purchasing skate skis.

Classic skis are longer than skate skis, with a longer and sharper tip. The sliding surface of the skis has special notches that prevent them from rolling back. These skis are ideal for beginner skiers, especially if learning and skiing takes place off-piste. The disadvantage of skis of this type is that it will not be possible to develop high speed on these skis, and in warm weather, wet snow, sticking to the notch, can slow down the movement.

Skating skis are for more “advanced” skiers who dream of skiing down their favorite hill with the breeze. They are shorter in shape than the classic ones; there should be a sharp edge at the edges to prevent them from sliding to the side.

All-mountain skis are equally suitable for both styles of skiing.

The safety and reliability of modern children's skis is ensured by some design features: rounded toes and increased width of the ski surface make the skis more stable and safer when falling, “fitting” (side cutouts) helps to better take difficult turns.

Very young skiers can get by with the simplest, lightest skis. Indeed, in this case, the main task is to teach the baby to stand on skis and enjoy joint ski trips with his parents.

For children from 2 to 6 years old, experts advise buying skis that are slightly longer than the child’s height, simple, wide and safe models. Long skis are very difficult for small children to maneuver, especially on turns.

Fastenings and their standards

Most often, children's alpine skis are sold with adjustable bindings that can easily be adjusted to the size of the boot. It is important to understand here that the fastenings are necessary to be able to free the child’s leg in the event of a fall or collision, and therefore you need to pay attention to high-quality models that have high elasticity, which in turn prevents false alarms. When choosing fasteners, you should also pay attention to the actuation force indicator.

This indicator is designated by the letters DIN and has the following standards:

• DIN for child anchorages from 0.5 to 4;
• DIN for amateur, entry level 3-10;
• DIN for amateur, expert level - 5-15;
• DIN for professional racing up to 24.

Please note that the binding force is adjusted according to the size of the boot, the weight, height and age of the athlete, as well as their level of skating. Beginner athletes are recommended to set up their bindings at a specialized service center.

What materials are children's skis made from?

The service life of skis depends on the material from which they are made.

Wooden

Wooden skis are good in frosty weather, but already at zero temperatures they become practically unsuitable for skiing. In addition, they break quickly and require constant treatment of the sliding surface with special ski waxes, otherwise wet snow will not allow the child to move easily on skis.

Plastic

Plastic skis are more durable and have increased sliding properties, which in this case can rather be considered a disadvantage than an advantage. To prevent skis from moving apart in different directions, plastic skis must have a high-quality anti-slip notch that is large enough in area. The presence of notches is especially important if the child is skiing for the first time.

Plastic skis are durable, glide easily on snow, do not get wet or crack when in contact with wet snow.

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

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

We offer a detailed analysis of how to choose skis according to a child’s height, taking into account each of the key parameters given above.

How to determine your ski helmet size

The size of a ski helmet is an indicator of comfortable skiing. The helmet should not hang on the head, but at the same time it is not recommended that it squeeze the head and cause discomfort. Determining the appropriate ski helmet size is not difficult.

You need to take a measuring tape and measure the circumference of the child’s head above the ears along the forehead line, then determine the size:

• 45-50 cm – children's size S;
• 51-56cm – size Small;
• 55-57cm – size Medium;
• 55-61cm – size Large;
• 61-64 cm – size XL.

An important step when choosing a ski helmet is fitting. The helmet must be measured using the liner (not the hat). The helmet must be measured together with the goggles to assess their fit. It is important that the helmet fits tightly on your head, even when unfastened. It is not permissible to purchase a helmet for growth!

Selection of skis for children of different ages

Up to three years

At this age, skis are chosen to be short and wide. The child does not yet need to develop speed, hone technique or fit into turns. He must learn to maintain balance and master sliding. Long skis will only make pushing and cornering more difficult.

The first ones to use are short (40 cm) wide (8 cm) plastic skis with rounded ends. Once you gain confidence, you can switch to wooden or plastic skis equal in length to the child’s height. Plastic is a more versatile material, as it is equally suitable for wet and dry snow.

Skis for the little ones

At an early age, purchasing special boots is hardly advisable. The size of a child's feet changes quickly. In addition, it will have time to grow from the first skis in one or two seasons. Therefore, metal fastenings with rubber straps are considered the best option. This design can easily be attached to a child’s comfortable, familiar winter shoes.

Keep in mind that there is no need to purchase poles at this age, since the main goal at this age is to gain balance when skiing and master the principles of sliding.

From 4 to 10 years

If you are buying skis for a child who by this age has already learned to ski on a simple model, it makes sense to purchase a more sporty option. Narrower (5 cm wide) and longer skis are selected. Ski length is calculated using the formula: height + 15 cm.

Children's skis with semi-rigid binding

Age 11–15 years

For teenage children, skis are selected not only based on weight and height, but also depending on their preferred style.

There are three types of cross-country skis:

Classic. Designed for movement on a parallel track in a classic style. They are longer and have a sharper nose. The sliding surface is equipped with notches that prevent rolling back, which is convenient for beginners.

Children's skis for classic style

High-quality skis do not differ from each other in weight, length and width. Make sure that the sliding side has a smooth groove and is free of scratches and cracks.

Important! Children's skis must be soft. Hard skis will not allow you to make comfortable pushes and can turn being on the track into torture.

A typical mistake is buying skis “for growth.” Keep in mind that longer skis also have greater stiffness. This means they will be difficult to operate for a small child.

When choosing materials, plastic is preferred. Firstly, it is more durable, stronger and more resistant to changing weather conditions than wood. Secondly, wooden skis are gradually leaving the market, and it will soon be impossible to find them at all.

Table of the correct ski length depending on the height and weight of the child

Helmet design, ventilation, weight

Helmet design, ventilation and weight are also important criteria when choosing a helmet. Today, manufacturers produce children's ski helmets in two designs:

• Hard Shell - This design features an outer shell that is injection molded from plastic. An inner polystyrene foam shell is attached to this shell. This helmet is considered the best for ensuring maximum child safety;
• In-mold - This design is characterized in that the inner polystyrene foam shell is covered with a thin layer of polycarbonate. This helmet is lightweight, but requires replacement after any serious impact, even if there is no visible damage to it.

Also pay attention to the presence of ventilation. Modern helmets are equipped with special ventilation holes that regulate the temperature inside the protection. Thanks to these holes, the child’s head does not sweat, which means the risk of colds is reduced. On sale you can find helmets with visors. This is additional protection from cold wind, snow and branches. When purchasing, check the fastenings; they should be reliable, but at the same time easy to operate.

At what age should you buy skis?

The age at which a child can start skiing is, of course, not strictly defined. It depends on the desire of the child himself and the patience and perseverance of the parents. A child who has barely learned to balance on his feet is unlikely to enjoy riding.

Set for a small skier

Some parents teach children to participate in active sports as early as 2 years and 5 months. At this age, you can already take your baby on his first ski trips, but be prepared that you will often have to take his skis off, ride him, entertain him with games, etc.

Masks and sticks

Masks and poles also need to be selected according to size. The mask must be tried on together with the helmet. A properly fitted mask should fit tightly with the helmet. Please note that there should not be a large gap between the goggles and the top edge of the helmet; the helmet should not put pressure on the mask with the visor, this will lead to the goggles slipping and fogging.

There are also criteria for choosing sticks. Their length is selected according to height.

You should also pay attention to the design of the poles. Curved and straight poles are available for sale. Curved ones are designed for downhill racing. The built-in bend increases aerodynamic performance and increases the speed of the athlete. If a child is just starting to ski, he will not need such poles; moreover, they will create unnecessary discomfort.

Before choosing skis for your child and other equipment, pay attention to the manufacturer. Remember, when purchasing equipment, it is better to give preference to well-known manufacturers, such as HEAD, ATOMIC, VOLKL, VIST, K2, etc. Their products are much more expensive, but provide maximum safety.

How to choose by height

You should know how to choose skis for a child according to his 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 skiing techniques;
• Starting from the age of 7, when choosing equipment, they are guided by the requirement that the length of the skis should be 20 cm greater 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 select the right skis and poles for your child’s height, take a pair of skis, set it upright and place it next to the young athlete - if he can reach the top edge with his fingertips, the size is appropriate.

Constructions

Let's start with the skeleton of a mountain ski.

Today's designs are divided into 3 types:

“Cap” is the load-bearing hard layer - the top one, the rest are attached to it.

“Sandwich” - materials are connected by functional layers, like a sandwich. The level of rigidity is adjusted by the upper and lower layers.

“Box” is the antipode design of the previous two: its filling is enclosed in a synthetic or metal box, which ensures torsional rigidity of the ski. Such alpine skis follow a soft arc, are more stable in turns, react less easily to bumps and do not twist.

The interior of the ski is made of synthetic or wood.

Fastenings

Types of bindings for children's skis:

1. Soft (straps, elastic bands). Suitable for little ones. Allows you to wear skis on everyday winter shoes (felt boots, boots).
2. Semi-rigid. They are made of metal, plastic, and straps. They are also attached to regular shoes, but provide a more reliable fixation of the foot on the ski surface.

Semi-rigid ski bindings

"Old" ski binding

SNS standard mount

Boots and bindings of the old type are much cheaper than modern ones, but are suitable only for the classic ride.

Sticks

At the initial stage of training, you can do without sticks. At this stage, they may turn out to be a hindrance rather than a help. At this time, it is important for the child to learn to stand upright, ski and maintain balance.

The optimal length of poles is determined by your riding style and is selected according to your height. Poles for the “classic” style rest against the armpit; for the skating style they are slightly higher than the shoulder.

It is better to choose sticks for children:

• with comfortable handles,
• lightweight (for example, plastic),
• with straps that prevent them from being dropped from your hands,
• with durable but safe and non-sharp tips,
• with a support in the form of a ring or an asterisk.

Amateur skiing

They can be selected according to the skill level of the skier:

• for children and juniors;
• for beginners - all three types of alpine skiing are maximally controllable at low speeds and easy to turn;
• for advanced skiers – suitable for active skiers who want to polish their technique;
• for experts – they have high obedience and confidence in turns, suitable for different tracks and surfaces;
• for sports fans - they are related to sports skis - they have worse grip on icy surfaces at high speeds, but fans will be pleased with excellent handling, loyalty to the skier’s technique and the ability to cut along bumpy slopes (moguls)

.

The softest skis are children's skis and skis for beginners in the sport.

Riding style

Alpine skiing for non-professionals can be chosen based on the desired skiing style.

Carving . Designed for prepared slopes; allow you to ride in deep arcs and smoothly enter turns.

Suitable for medium speeds, soft or hard surfaces, but not for deep snow.

• Fan carving is a subtype of carving skis. They provide “radical” skiing - the skier enters the turn almost lying down.
• Auto carving – skis with a “power steering” design: deep side cutouts allow you to make turns without straining.

Freeride (freeride / big-mountain / freeskiing / fat. Skis for fans of off-road racing - off-piste, on different snow conditions. They require some training, so they are suitable for an expert. Such skis (with the exception of the widest ones) are also suitable for prepared slopes. The most wide - for deep snow and virgin soil.

Universal (all-mountain / allround). An excellent option for non-professionals, which gives a lot of opportunities: skiing on prepared trails, off-piste, on virgin soil, on downhill skiing and hilly terrain.

Among the species there are also “exotic” ones:

• ski board – shortened, carving skis;
• ski tour - lightweight, for ski trips;
• ski extreme – for extreme descents;
• for telemarking – ski jumping (with loose heel).

Tips and tricks

• Do not buy children's skis and accessories for their growth. This is fraught with increased injury.
• The purchase of skis and boots is carried out taking into account the following indicators: height, weight category, foot size.
• When choosing such ammunition, take into account the recommendations of an instructor or professional consultant.
• Before your trip, be sure to check all equipment, bindings, and prevent edges and ski surfaces. This will ensure reliability and safety of the walk.
• On skis, it is important to avoid mechanical damage and maintain symmetry in the width, weight and thickness of the product.
• Ski poles should not exceed the height of the child.

By approaching the issue of choosing and purchasing cross-country skis for children responsibly, you will turn your walk into an unforgettable journey.