What gear, and where to get gear for a toddler ... skis and boots

Next spring we'll have an almost 3 year old that we want to start out on the right ski:)  As far as clothing, jackets, helmets, etc we can find pretty much anything we need in that line. Too, we'll grab a harness and leash.

 

But as far as skis and boots ... don't have a clue as to size and where to find these.  I can easliy look on e-Bay, but would like to know a bit about what to look for before diving in.  If someone has experience with fitting toddlers, she'll be size 4T by the spring, shoot me a response with some suggestions. 

 

Ciao ...

At that age, there really isn't any right ski or boot, just the right size. Feedback from 3 year olds is not necessarily reliable, so you'll have to use a lot of your own judgement in this regard. You should be focused on comfort rather than performance; trust me, even if you're planning on skiing 20+ days with her, if you're off the bunny hill by season's end, you're way ahead of the curve.

 

First time out, I'd just rent equipment at the mountain - at that age it's 50/50 whether they're ready to ski. If not, don't sweat it. With my two kids, one was, one wasn't; the one who wasn't waited until he was 5, he's now 15 and skis at least as well as me.

 

Assuming your first day goes well, you'd be better served looking at seasonal rentals. The dollars and cents will probably be similar to purchasing used stuff on e-bay, but you'll get to see what you're "buying" first hand be assured of boots that fit, bindings that work, etc. Also, should you experience a mid-season growth spurt, everything can be exchanged for a larger size.

 

 

 

Have kids now age 5 and 6.  I recommend getting this:

 

 

http://www.luckybums.com/Tip%20Clip.htm

 

For a 3 year old get the smallest skis you can find maybe 67 cm?  Don't spend a lot on boots because they will only get used for a couple months before they are outgrown.  eBay and Ski Trucks have used kids boots in toddler sizes. 

+1 on all that has been said thus far.

 

If you decide to have your own gear afterall, here is a good pair that is 67cm (marketed for a girl).

http://www.sierraskis.com/2009-Roxy-Baby-Youth-45842.asp

 

Snatch it because it's the last pair left. It's not clear whether it comes with bindings. If it does as I suspect, for the cost of a seasonal rental it's a good deal (and SierraSki is a great outfit). If you rent the right size boots, these skis will last you up to two seasons. When it is overgrown, resell it to cover at least half the cost. When your kid reaches 5yo (and he is bigger and stronger) then go with something a bit longer.

 

Just another thing to add, all skis up to about 100cm (or longer) are made by the same factories. They all have comparable quality and structure.

 

Remember the key is to have your child to have a taste of the sport. Don't expect any progression just yet. Have fun. The best is yet to come.

I'd second the recommendation for renting to see if your child likes skiing.  If they don't yet, then you've not invested in equipment you won't use.  I ended up buying skis and boots for my son because he has a little sister and I knew I would get lots of use out of them.  The seasonal rental is also a great deal if the child is growing fast that way if they grow out of their boots you can just go in and swap them out.
 

Have you posted a want ad in the gear section?  That's what I did and got boots and skis for less than $50 from someone here who had them leftover in their basement.

 

Don't worry about the "right ski" for a three year old.  Any ski, as long as it isn't too long for them, is the right ski.  I also would never pay $80 for a new set of skis for a 3 year old, but that's just me.  Maybe when they are older that would be a good price for new skis, but not at 3. 

 

I like the idea of seasonal rentals too (we've done both). But, seasonal rentals don't run any cheaper than $80. And for a 3 yo, a short 67cm will definitely last for the entire season and beyond. So, the growth issue that comes with your own equipment isn't really a problem. Also, with the purchase of a pair of skis thats cost you the same as or less than rental, you always have to option to swap or sell later on.

+2 Seasonal Rentals

 

Also check out rental places selling the old gear, craigslist and this forum.  I have a 3 and 4 yr old and we just keep a spreadsheet of what we need and add to it as we "find" items. We are able to take our time and buy good gear.  On the clothing front, we shop at ski area thrift stores and consignment stores.  Our kids have super cool gear for super cheap prices and they are all lightly used anyway.

 

When my 2 yr old started skiing I bought an H Bar from Kid-Ski.  Looks gimmiky but upon others recommendations, worked great and she loved it and has since outgrown it.

Both my kids started at 3- my advice:

 

Buy the gear- you are talking in the area of $150 for skis, boots and bindings.

You can familiarize your child with the gear at home, and have them walk around to

become comfortable in it. I even pulled my kids around the carpet at the house a little.

You can ALWAYS find someone looking for used gear and will re-coup at least half your money

especially with Ebay. If you can't buy then seasonal rental is the way to go.

 

Get a Hula Hoop- yes a Hula Hoop. Have your child hold the hoop and you can then assist from in front or

behind them at a reasonable distance without issue. Sure, there are all kinds of harnesses, poles, wedgie things, etc but in my opinion you can't beat a $3 hula hoop!! (Be sure to tape the ends where its' joined as they are usually just stapled or glued)

 

+1 to letting them play with the gear at home.  But, I believe you can also do that with seasonal rental equipment.  My kids learned what takes a half day of ski wee to learn at home just by playing with their boots, stepping in their skis, stomping around the yard, and most important, falling down and getting back up. Best snow day Durham NC ever saw... Turns a never ever into a kidna sorta.

 

 

Both my kids started at age 2 (now 6 and 4) and ski around 40-50 days a year.  They were both beyond the 67's and onto 80's by late in their 3's.  If your kids will be skiing alot the 67's will not be good past 3 YO.

I don't recommend the ski tip clips at all (and neither do any of the ski schools we use).  They can actually hinder the learning process and create the potential for injuries.

 

Second, get the softest flexing boots you can find.  The biggest problem for kids is getting forward (they just naturally get in the back seat and you don't want the boot to make it even more difficult for them to get forward).  I bought Dolomite KID boots for my kids when the started - they have a kind of stiff "canvas" upper that a kid can easily flex unlike plastic.  I have no idea if these boots are still made, but you may find them on skiBay.

 

Ski length - never go longer than chin height.  Until a child learns to ski parallel and can really bend a ski in a turn a long ski just lets them lean way back without falling over.  So ski length selection is not based on age for kids (just like it isn't for adults). 

This was my first year skiing with my son, who turned 4 in Feb.  I went the route of buying inexpensive ski gear vs. seasonal rentals.  The skis/bindings/boots were ~$100 brand new, including mounting the bindings - maybe a little more than a seasonal rental, but I will get another year out of the skis/bindings and maybe the boots, and can sell them on eBay when I'm done with them.

 

My son is small for his age:  38" tall, 30lbs in weight.  I got him a pair of 77cm skis.  These were a good size for his height, and I would not have wanted to go longer at his height.  These should work fine for next year as well.  Boots are harder - children's feet are growing, so what fits today may not fit next year.  In my case, it was easy:  my son has a small foot, so I got the smallest boot that I could find.

 

His ski school at Snowmass did use an edgie-wedgie when he started, as he was having trouble keeping his tips together.  But by the third day, the edgie-wedgie was gone, and he was riding up the lift and down the easier green slopes.

Whether to buy or rent really depends on what's available in your neck of the woods.  When my kids were that age I went to the ski shop and picked up kids rental gear that they were getting rid of for (I think) $25 for the skis and bindings and maybe $10 or $15 for the boots.  Much less expensive and less hassle than renting.  Also, shape doesn't matter a whole lot at this age.

 

If you have a local branch of the Ski and Golf stores owned by the Gart Bros.  they have a trade in program that works really well up to 10 or so.  Craigslist is also a good source.

 

We did use the edgie wedgie and it was fantastic for reducing the painful crashes and letting the kids get some mileage in when their legs weren't that strong.  By the time they were 4 or so they dropped it, and it hasn't seemed to hurt their long-term skiing.  Take small toys or something for extra entertainment and have fun .

There is one other consideration.  Most resort Ski Wee half day and all day lesson program fees include equipment rental and it isn't negotiable.  You pay for the rental even if you don't need their gear.  That can be a big plus if you don't want ot deal with carrying gear for two kids a half mile from the parking lot while rushing to get there in time for the 8:30 am deadline to get them signed up.  However, if you want to ski with them before the lesson it is good to have your own/their own gear.

When fitting boots for my kids from age 2 to 5, I check the fit first with the liner out of the shell, so that I can feel where their feet are.  The shell-fit comes later when they can provide reliable feedback during the fitting process.

 

I don't like edgy-wedgies or tip-clips or whatever variation you might come across because they restrict leg independence & mobility.  Much better to use skis that are short enough to be easily manoeuevred without worrying about crossing tips.  70cm was perfect for my own kids at 2 & 3,  the oldest now races GS on a 183cm FIS ski.

 

I've had good success with a harness - the key is to have it supporting down at the HIPS (not shoulders!!) so you're not upsetting their balance.  Choose your terrain so you have opportunities for free running.

 

Kids from 2 to 4 or so will very often lean on the backs of their boots for support.  This is because they don't have the muscle strength to stay forward, and isn't something to worry about at that age.  Work on fore/aft balance when they've got the strength to manage the "athletic stance."  A lot will correct themselves when they've got a bit of experience and develop some ski-specific strength.

 

We used to get kids' gear at great prices at fall ski swaps. 

 

And also, they do it because they can. Staying forward is work. Therefore, it's a matter of being lazy as well.

 

Even kids considerably older (say to about 10) can literally ski sitting on the tails of the skis. Sometimes good young skiers do it just for fun. Not the same can be said about adult skiers.

More because they have to rather than being lazy.  They are leaning their legs on the backs of their boots to get skeletal support because they don't have enough muscle strength & co-ordination to maintain a good centred stance.  This is very different from an older skier -- child, adolescent or adult -- who is sitting back or jetting tails as a bad habit, fooling around, or as a recovery manoeuver.

 

The key point is to be aware of physiological limitations of very young children:  trying to "correct" something technically that a child is not capable of is only going to cause grief for the child.

 

I've worked directly with a number of kids (my own included) and observed quite a few more to know that letting kids sit way back when they are very young does not create an obstacle to becoming very good skiers as they grow. 

 

The flip side is that I've seen more than a few frustrated kids, parents and instructors as a result of misguided attempts to teach the wrong thing at the wrong time.

IF this video works, its a 2 year old(3 weeks after her 2nd birthday) on 80's.

 

She'll get another season out of them but I'm not sure she would if she had 67's.

 

 this was her first day and she got a lot better, fast!  Kids are amazing!

 

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Both my kids started at just before 3 and 3-years old.  I bought some used skis/bindings off eBay.  There are a lot of shops blowing out the previous years new skis and the ones they sell to customers for their "use it for a year and get 50% back next year" programs.  The ones we bought were in almost perfect condition for around $100, and that included shipping.  Three years later I sold them on Craig;'s List for $60.  So for $40 two kids used the skis over three ski seasons.  Not bad!  All I did was tune them at home and wax them when needed.

Our ski school had no problems using Edgie-Wedgies when the kids were too weak to keep their skis on-line.  Yeah, I know the pros and cons about them, but to watch them ski down an intermediate run makes using them worth while.  At some point they get strong enough and don't need them.  Leaning back (a very bad thing in skiing) doesn't occur because of the ski tip devices.  Leg and stomach muscles need to get stronger for kids to be in balance, as opposed to having good balance.  Both my kids got strong enough by 5 1/2, due in part to martial arts training (stronger legs).  Interestingly, both were starting to arc some nice turns by then.

Boots are another issue, since the little ones can't tell you what fits right, because they have no idea how a boot is supposed to fit. The guy in our local ski shop found the right size for our kids, so I bought them from him.  Go with a previous years model to save money.

The biggest equipment problem I've had was finding warm/dry gloves and mittens for toddlers who ski.  I finally broke down and bought an expensive Hestra mitten, which did the trick.

Remember that kids need to have fun!  Take them in BEFORE they get tired or before they get too cold.  Their little legs can only take so much, so snow time is usually a few runs.  Also, the kids ski school programs at most ski areas (using the "magic carpet") are generally very good.  Soon the kids become 7 or 8 and start skiing double diamonds.  Then they start asking about racing programs, and the costs go up!

Edited by quant2325 - 9/15/09 at 10:41pm

I wish that was the case for me. I took my then 5 y/o for the first time skiing  last year. After he was done with the ski schools and was able to go w/me on greens and some blues I had to make him take breaks and tell him that they closed @ 4:00 prior to the night sessions. But once in the car he would be out in about 15-20 min.



You are correct, SKIING MUST BE ABOUT HAVING FUN FOR KIDS !

Thanks for all the replies.  We're good with the idea to rent gear for the first trip out.  With kids one can never tell what their premonition is towards this sport.

I do need some help with finding a 'harness'.  I talked with a mom this past season who showed me some type harness on her son.  I couldn't see the straps around his waist-shoulders, but it had a nice size handle on the back which worked well with getting on-off the lift.  She'd grab the handle and lift him up ... it was a nice tool to help get the little fella on-off the lift

I liked the harness idea and would like to get one ... anyone have a recommendation or line on this?

Ciao,,,

We use the Lucky Bums harness...easy to grab them as we hop on the lift and the little pocket in back holds snacks and another pair of gloves.  Pricy at $40 bucks, but we felt better as we have a firm hold on them on the lift.

I taught both of my two youngest boys to ski when they were 2.5ish.  As others have mentioned,  they really don't have the muscular development to "ski",  but they can have fun skidding down the hill by a leash.

I'm not convinced you gain anything in terms of their development by starting them that young.  My oldest started at age 7,  and he was like taking a fish to water.  The two younger boys who started at 2.5ish..... really started to ski well at.....about age 7!  Hence,  I'm convinced anything done with them before about age 7 is of little/no developmental value.

As others mentioned,  they will tire VERY quickly.  Be prepared to make a run,  go get hot chocolate,  maybe make another run,  more hot chocolate,  etc.  They might be done after one or two runs.  I've seen parents get angry because their toddler is done after such a short outing - doesn't have the makings of quality family time!

With my youngest,  I had it all more "figured out".  We frequently went to a smaller ski area (Ski Cooper in Leadville, CO) where the two older boys could go off and ski,  while I spent the day with the youngest on the bunny hill.  This way,  a good time was had by all,  and dad only had to buy a $5 bunny lift ticket keeping the financial investment more modest.

Enjoy - they grow up fast!  Oldest is now a Jr. in College,  other two are HS Soph and 7th grader.  Seems like only yesterday I was doing the rope around the waist thing!

AM.

Oh,  and I should add (to stay on topic),  I was able to find used equipment (mostly) at ski swaps and (believe it or not) thrift shops locally.  I think I bought one new pair of 80 or 90 cm skis which were "parabolic" Atomics which caused more harm than good.  Went back to old-fashioned straight skis for much better results.  I don't know if I'd have bought stuff had I not been able to hand them down among 3 boys.  Otherwise renting might have made the most sense.

Edited by Attacking Mid - 10/10/09 at 10:25am

I got some roces boots for my 3 year old cousin last year.
http://www.levelninesports.com/roces-2010-adjustable-black-kids-ski-boots-160185-p-4403.html
these are great because they adjust 4 sizes. they cost 94 bucks or something and should be used for a few more years. I was excited about how easy they were to adjust and durability. He loved them and skied great. the sole dosn't adjust so his parents dont have to adjust the skis after they adjusted the boots up a size!