Buying Skis for Kids

Choosing the right skis for your kids will help them progress and, most importantly, have fun. Select skis that are suitable for on-piste activities, as this is where your child can easily learn and develop their skills, unless they have already specialized in a particular discipline. When choosing skis, it's also essential to pick ones that match their experience level, as beginner skis are always softer and more forgiving compared to advanced skis.

Renting equipment is always an option, but buying a pair for your kids will allow them to get familiar with the skis and feel confident on them. Plus, you can avoid the busy rental shops at the start of your holiday!

PISTE SKIS - The best skis for staying on-piste

Piste skis are an excellent choice for your child to spend time on the piste practicing the basics or perfecting technique in a learner-friendly environment. These skis are narrow in design, providing maximum grip and control on the snow.

ALL MOUNTAIN SKIS - The best all-round skis for kids

All Mountain skis are also beginner-friendly as they are very forgiving, and their design allows adventurous kids to better handle some off-piste conditions, enabling easier turns in heavy snow.

Shop for Kids Skis

We also offer specialized types of skis for kids who are already experienced and want to try different types of skiing such as Park, Racing, or Freeride. If that interests you, we recommend reading our Ski Buying Guide for Experienced skiers, where we describe these types of skis in more detail.

Choose the Right Ski Length

Ensuring your child is using the correct pair of skis for their size and ability will help them learn faster and have more fun. The most determining factor is height, and since most children are height and weight proportioned, a ski that falls between their chest and eyebrows is acceptable.

A child learning to ski for the first time should have skis closer to their chest height. Likewise, an experienced child who is advanced should have skis closer to their eyebrow height.

The picture illustrates the ski length for a beginner (your height minus 35 cm)

	Kid's skis
First-timer	Your height minus 40 cm
Beginner	Your height minus 35 cm
Intermediate	Your height minus 30 cm
Advanced	Your height minus 15 cm
Expert	Your height minus 5 cm

Skis With or Without Bindings

Kids' skis can come with or without bindings, but we generally advise selecting skis with bindings as they are easily adjustable and ensure good performance. This option is suitable for all skill levels and particularly beneficial for beginners to intermediates.

Skis without bindings are typically found in specialized categories such as Park, Freeride, and Touring, where purchasing bindings separately is required. If your child is an intermediate or above, then selecting skis and bindings separately is a good option as you can customize the equipment. More information on bindings can be found in the Buying alpine ski bindings guide.

Other Ski Equipment

Ski Boots

Boots can make a big difference in a child's skiing experience, and rental boots can often be uncomfortable. When investing in a pair, the most important thing is to get the correct size and boot type.

The boot size is measured in centimeters, which is the length of the foot from the back of the heel to the tip of the toe. You can measure your child's feet using a ruler or tape measure. Children's boots are generally soft in flexibility and can have between 1 and 4 buckles.

There are also race boots for advanced children interested in racing. They are significantly more expensive and have a high boot flex (60 to 90).

Ski Poles

If your child is new to skiing, you do not need to invest in ski poles right away. A good time to introduce poles will be after they have learned the basics and are skiing confidently.

Tip: Introducing your kids to ski poles. Ensure that once you introduce your kids to ski poles, they use them correctly and do not hold them loosely or drag them behind, as it will be more challenging to unlearn these mistakes later.

To find the right size of ski poles, you can have a look at our Ski Pole Length Size chart.

Helmet

This is an essential piece of equipment that your child should absolutely have. Whether they are a novice or a seasoned expert, the risk of injury remains the same. In addition to providing head protection, it can also offer warmth and boost your child's confidence, which are great added benefits. Many countries have regulations that mandate children to wear helmets for skiing. For more information, you can read How to wear your helmet or Lifespan of helmets.

Goggles, gloves, and suitable clothing are some of the other essentials you will need to fully enjoy your time on the slopes. These items can all be found on our website: The ultimate ski and snowboard goggles guide.

See our selection of skiwear and snow clothing

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