Ski Equipment for Children

Robin Shudak: Hi, I am Robin Shudak, a ski instructor with Sn Mountain. Today, we are teaching your child how to ski. Now before we go on the snow it is very important to make sure that you are outfitted properly. This section is going to go over clothing and equipment. The first thing that your child is going to need to wear is obviously, a ski jacket and hopefully, it will be waterproof and nylon. The next thing is ski pants. Even though you see that sometimes you see people skiing without them waterproof ski pants can make a very big difference. These have a bib and this is a good idea because if the child falls, snow is not going to get up there back and make their shirt wet.

The next piece of clothing is something that's very important. Since we lose most of our body heat through our head, a hat is something that you are really going to want to have on your child. In fact, most instructors will check to see if your child is wearing a hat and make sure that they have one on their head. The next piece of clothing instructors will check for are gloves. Even though it may seem like it's warm and the child wouldn't need them, a good pair of waterproof gloves does more than just keep their hands warm and dry. Since the edges of the skis are sharp, a pair of gloves can decrease the risk that your child will be cut by some skis. Another thing that you want to consider is buying a good pair of ski socks. Ski socks are made to be worn with ski goods. They are pallet on the shin and on the foot and they lick moisture away from the body. You may be tempted to wear two pairs of socks skiing, but in actuality, one pair of socks will keep you much warmer than two since two will crown out the air in the ski boot and also keep moisture close to your foot and make it colder. Another piece of clothing that you may consider if it is cold weather is a neck gaiter, it is like a scarf but it is not going to be blowing around in the wind. Lastly, if it's raining or snowing goggles will really help your child to see better and have a much more comfortable experience.

Also, something you make consider is a helmet. Most ski areas will rent you a helmet and this is to make sure that your child doesn't sustain any type of head injury while they are learning how to ski. Now on to equipment, when you get to the rental shop, you are going to be handed a form that looks like this. It is going to ask about your child's height and weight. Now the reason they do that is so the technicians can adjust the bindings and the skis according to your child. Now the people at the rental shop will adjust the skis accordingly. But it is always a good idea that before you leave the shop that you test the skis to make sure that the boots fit into them. That way, if there is any problem you can always have the technicians adjust it right then and there. Even though the technicians have adjusted the bindings to fit your child's ski boot it is always a good idea just to check them out before you leave the rental shop. That way, if there is a mistake, you can get it fixed right away. So to do this, just go down to the floor put the toe of the boot into the front of the binding and press the heel down. That one works. Again, toe in the front part and weight down on the heel. These guys both work with skis and then to release them just hit the back with your hand. Now let us go put on our boots. Though they may differ, children's boots are pretty much the same as adult's boots. So putting them on is just about the same as adult's boots. I will demonstrate on my boot. Now you want to make sure that all of the buckles are unbuttoned. The tongue is pushed wide open. Then you slip your foot in and if this is difficult, you can lean forward or stand up. Next, you will just buckle them in. You only buckle them two sides so for a child who is just learning how to ski for the first time having them put it on the widest setting, it is probably your best bet. Repeat with the other one and then we are out on the snow. In case you are wondering no poles. PSIA recommends that children who are just learning how to ski not use poles. It hinders their balance and it can also cause injuries. So no poles.