 Poster: A snowHead
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Just got the boy's skis out of the garage ready for skiing and we are debating if they are still long enough for him.
Without talking weights etc Could anyone give me a quick answer on the length of a child's skis( who is a decent skier).
Should they come to his chin, nose, top of head, or above his head.
Thanks
Gareth
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I would say for a less confident child short is fine.So chin level would be fine.
For a heavier faster skier say a fairly confident teenager,then nose to top of head would be acceptable.
For an experienced boy racer then slightly above head would be acceptable.
If they are twin tips then always add a few cms extra length..
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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My youngest skied on twin tips this year that only just came to his chin. These were probably a tad to short for him since twin tips tend to ski shorter than their tip to tip length. I tend to think its similar to adults, When they are learning they want to be chin height, and by the time they can ski the mountain they are level with the top of their heads, or at least I hope so since this is what I have just for this year, but the idea is that they might last a couple of years growth before they are too short for them - say chin height or lower.
If they are between the chin and top of the head I'm sure you will be fine. Lower than the chin = too short. For a decent skier I'd say the closer to head height the better. However, don't forget kids will ski on whatever you give 'em (particularly younger kids who just want to ski). So if you are between head and chin height I don't think I'd worry. IME kids and ski lengths doesn't seem that critical. Esp. until they are old enough to start worrying about it.
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Mine is 14 and a very decent skier, good enough and old enough to have a valid opinion - His feedback to this was "*mum, say that size only matters, for decent kids if it matters*" The range he played on at Xmas were 144's (barely, if even, chin) through to 175's (a good few inches above head)- he had fun on them all.
*As in, within the 'head' range
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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An experienced younger skier who wants to carve turns as opposed skid them will benefit from a longer ski.It will promote better technique and avoid lazy skiddy turns.
Weight and height do play a part once they become taller and heavier(my oldest son must weigh 11+ stone and is 5ft10in tall) so childrens specific skis are a bit soft and wishy washy now .Once a child reaches this stage in there skiing career you may as well treat their kit like an adults and go longer and wider depending on the type of skiing they like.
Obviously if they are less confident then a nice piste orientated carving ski in a medium length will promote confidence.The last thing you want with kids is to go to long and for them to struggle and lose their confidence.Better to enjoy their skiing rather than to get too bothered about what length they are skiing on.
You only have to ski during the French holiday period to realise that the average  offspring is far better kitted out than the ancient old hand me downs that some French kids have to put up with.
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Beginners - especially very young ones - chest height. Once they've got a bit of experience nose height +/- a bit (although as a rule of thumb if you're buying get them nearer to head height, and replace once they're almost down to the chin). Otherwise depends upon the type of ski/skier. My 143cm 10 year old is on 130/137 slalom skis and 144/151 GS skis for eaxmple. For an all mountain ski somewhere in the middle of that range would be right.
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Beginners - especially very young ones - chest height.
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+1 - that's what easiski told me. and for older (7 - 8 year old) beginners why more than shoulder height?
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| hedley wrote: |
An experienced younger skier who wants to carve turns as opposed skid them will benefit from a longer ski.It will promote better technique and avoid lazy skiddy turns.
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+1 for this ^ .
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He's 10 and his 130s are just above his chin. I'm not sure it's worth the money investing in 140s for two trips and a few dry slope competitions this year. May wait a year and get him some 150s that will last another couple of years. Unless I see a cracking deal on e bay I'll leave as they are.
Thanks for the advice guys. This is why I love
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