How to choose a ski for a child

It may seem that the process of choosing skis for a child will not be different from the choice of skis for an adult, just skis will be smaller. In fact, this is not so: children's skis have a number of features that make skiing more comfortable and safe. Therefore it is important to know how to choose a ski for a child depending on age.

If you decide to teach your child to ski from the age of three or four, the best way to start is to buy him short children's skis. Their length should be slightly less than the heightthe child (80-90 cm), at first you can generally choose short and wide children's skis (36-45 cm in length and 7.5-8 cm in width) with a rounded end.

But if you need to choose a ski older child (aged 5-6 years), who already knows how to ride, you can take longer and narrower skis. At this age, you can move from short skis to skis, which are 15 cm longer than a child's growth, and the width can be reduced to 4.6-4.8 cm.

When the child grows up and learns to more or less well skate, Skiing can be chosen depending on the style of riding that he prefers. For skating, we need shorter skis (+10 cmto the growth or well below the wrist of the arm raised up). For a classic ski move, you need to be more authentic. The length of universal skis is the average between the length of skis for a classic or ridge course.

If the skis are quality, then both skis in pairs will have the same mass, length and width. On skis there should be no scratches, the groove on the sliding side should be even. It is better to choose children's skis from plastic: they are stronger than wooden ones, and the quality of sliding does not depend on the weather. Make sure that the skis are necessarily incised, which prevent the rollback back. Plastic skis do not need ointments.

Very important choose the right skis. A small child to buy ski bootsthere is no sense, therefore, the fastening should be reliable, but safe: too rigid fastenings can cause a trauma to the child. More budgetary option - soft fasteners in the form of a tape made of leather or cotton / rubber. But such fasteners can easily slip and become entangled. Therefore, it is better to fork out and purchase skis with semi-rigid metal fasteners on rubber straps: they are more reliable, but safe.

Older children (somewhere from five to six years old) can purchase skis with rigid attachments and ski boots. Like adult skis, children have three types of fastening: 75 mm (old sample), NNN and SNS. Mounts of 75 mm are the same in adults and children's skiing. They are cheaper, but they are not suitable for a ridge run. Modern fastenings NNN and SNS differ at skis for adults and juniors. Shoes should be chosen depending on the type of attachment, but keep in mind that you buy them for a maximum of two seasons.

Ski sticks at first can not buy at all: without them, the child will be even easier to learn to keep his balance. Sticks can be bought only when the child has already mastered the principle of sliding. First, choose a light model witha snap-on strap and rubberized nozzles. Pay special attention to the shape of the tip, on the children's sticks the tip has the form of a ring or asterisk. The height of the sticks is up to the armpits.

Older children like sticks and skis, you need to choose depending on your preferred style of riding. For the ridge, long sticks are needed - above the shoulder, at first you can do without them. And for the classical move, shorter sticks are needed, under the armpits.

If you need to choose a child's skis, never buy them "for growth", the child will be uncomfortable to ride on them. At best, too long skiing for the child does not work, at worst he will get injured. If the finance does not allow you to buy new skis every winter while the child is growing, you can take used skis, and if the child does not ride often - use the rental.

Actually, to choose the right ski for the child is not so difficult, if you know what to look for.