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What ski is best for a very athletic 16 year old boy who is progressing rapidly?

post #1 of 8
7/19/12 at 7:52pm
Thread Starter 

I am looking for recommendations for a friend of mine.  Her son began skiing with us last year.  Day one, on my son's old skis, as I am explaining "pizza-french fries", he takes off and starts skiing and turning "parallel".  Don't get me wrong terrible form and stance, but this was his first ever run.  We took him skiing a total of 5 days - two of which were powder days - and he skied everything we allowed him to and would have skied everything if we hadn't said no.  That said - Yes, lessons are the first most important thing!  Also boots are covered ... if he hasn't grown.  I will fit him this week when we go to the cabin.  His mom says he is the same shoe size.  My son's old boots fit him and they are good boots, lightly used.  The old skis are way too short - 135.  He is 5'10'' about 165 lbs.

 

He needs a ski he can grow into.  He is a great athlete and will progress rapidly once he gets proper instruction.  What is a good all mountain intermediate ski that will allow room to improve to advanced.  The skis can be from previous seasons; in fact we will probably check ebay for some gently used skis and hit some ski shows which will have overstock skis from previous years.

 

We ski mostly SoCal so groomers with occasional lucky pow days which allows some tree skiing.  Bumps are minimal due to grooming.  Ice is occasional patches rather than a serious concern.  Mornings have some rock hard corduroy though so chattering is annoying.

 

Thanks for your advice.  

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post #2 of 8
7/20/12 at 9:24pm

Odds are that he will soon want a park ski. Just is what it is for kids that age in SoCal. I'd think about a Volkl Wall (basically the old Karma), which is a all-mountain twin with credible park status but the edges and build to actually handle other kinds of skiing including trees. Very cheap right now. If you want to resist the park, nice ski for him might be a Rossignol Avenger 82 Basalt. Versatile, some grip, forgiving, wide enough for trees there, on sale right now at places like Sierra Trading Post. 

 

Whatever you find, I'd get it in the high 170's length, and keep it under $400 since he will outgrow it/change his mind once he gets up to speed. Good luck.

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post #3 of 8
7/21/12 at 7:06am

Worry about getting him good boots first.

 

Then find a pair of used twin tips like what beyond suggested.

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post #4 of 8
7/22/12 at 5:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDad View Post

Worry about getting him good boots first.

 

Then find a pair of used twin tips like what beyond suggested.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by mustski View Post

  Also boots are covered ... if he hasn't grown.  I will fit him this week when we go to the cabin.  His mom says he is the same shoe size.  My son's old boots fit him and they are good boots, lightly used. 

 

As has been pointed out the boots are important.  Even if he's in the same size shoe, that doesn't mean his foot didn't grow.  Could be thicker.  Could need a wider cuff.  Could be longer and the shoes stretched.  I know my teenagers live (lived) in skate shoes; Vans.  Even my boots change they way they feel based on weight gain/loss.

 

For a growing teenage boy, it gets tricky, especially because most of them pick their clothes/shoes with fashion over fit.  I don't think you should go hog wild crazy chasing the perfect boot/fit, but I do think based on how he is growing, you should focus on boots and the back up plan.  What he fits in this summer, he might not be able to get his foot in come Thanksgiving.  Last season my daughter was going through a growth spurt and I got her a pair of boots that were the next size up of the same model.  Took a while to track everything down, but both pairs were bought used, in good condition and each under $100.

 

Another thing to consider doing is if he does need to get bigger boots for the start of the season, have him wear thick SKI socks to fit them, then should he grow threw the season, he'll only need to go to a thinner sock.  I think being fitted for boots and all the rest should be done with the thinnest ski socks, but with teenagers, especially one just starting out, I think it will be OK to get something close.  If he is done growing (I think for boys it's 18) then go with thin socks.

 

As much fun as the skis can make it, the boots fitting well, not causing pain or needless cold feet, can make all the difference for him.  Nothing spells misery like cold hurting feet.

 

Ken

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post #5 of 8
7/22/12 at 9:34am

I would call a bunch of local ski shops. Some of them have "buy back" programs for kids/young adults. That way you don't get stuck with equipment he outgrows every season. 

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post #6 of 8
7/28/12 at 10:23am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for all the advice.  Of course, we were in the mountains all week and I completely blanked having him try the boots on again to see if they still fit!  We go again this week and I will bring them back for him to try on.  I agree - boots are the single most important piece of equipment.  If they still fit, my plan is to give them to him.  They fit him great all last season so we are hoping.

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post #7 of 8
7/28/12 at 6:48pm

I have some Kastle LX 92 with Marker demo bindings on them that are in new condition.  The demo binding will allow for boot size adjustment as his foot grows.  PM me if interested.

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post #8 of 8
7/29/12 at 4:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NyYeti View Post

I have some Kastle LX 92 with Marker demo bindings on them that are in new condition.  The demo binding will allow for boot size adjustment as his foot grows.  PM me if interested.

Thanks.  If they were the 94, I'd consider them for my son.  I think they might be too much ski - even for a strong athlete - just starting out.  He'll progress quickly, but too much ski will slow him down.

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