Archive | Equipment Swap

How Do I Know If My Child’s Equipment Still Fits?

When my kids were BKL age, I found that skis would last 1-2 years, and then they would be too short. I found that my kids usually needed larger boots and longer poles every year. Kids grow and they will have a better ski experience if they are using equipment that fits them correctly. Here is how to know:

Boots:

Have your child put on a ski sock (a heavy, synthetic or wool hiking type of sock) to try on boots. They should fit like a sneaker. A little room to grow is good- it’s October now and we’ll be skiing into March! Nordic Ski boots are usually sized in EU sizes.

Skis:

Ideally, you  fit skis by weight of the skier. Skis are measured and sized in centimeters.  HERE is a chart by Fischer that will give you a good idea of what length of ski your child should be skiing on. Look for the Junior Nordic chart. Skate skis should be 5-10 cm. shorter than classic skis and are also sized by weight. There are usually a couple of different length options for a specified skier weight. If your skier is a beginner, go for the shorter option. If your skier is more advanced go for the longer option.

Poles:

Classic:  Standing in shoes on a floor you want classic poles to reach all the way up to the top of the shoulder or just under it. Once in ski boots on skis & snow, those poles will reach just under the arm pit. The exception is young beginners. It’s OK for them to have poles that are shorter- sometimes it’s just easier for them to learn if there is less pole there.

Skate: In shoes on a floor, skate poles should reach up to the skier’s upper lip or nose. Once on snow, they will be at upper or lower lip level.

Err on the longer side with poles if you are getting them in October or November! I’ve seen many kids outgrow their poles by mid-February!