How to Size Cross Country Skis for Kids

If you take your kids skiing on a regular basis you should consider purchasing them their own skis instead of renting them, which would save you money in the long run. There are several things you need to consider when purchasing skis for your kids.

• The weight of the child is very important when it come to shopping for children's skis. If the weight of the child is normal for their age the ski should be no longer than 30 cm of the child's height. The skis should have the manufacturer's guidelines attached, which will include a chart you can reference for the height and weight of the child. If you are still not sure of the length to purchase it is recommended that you consult with the salesperson on staff to help you fit your child properly.


• If the child is age five or younger they should wear skis that are no longer than they are in height.


• The type of terrain you are skiing on should determine the width of the ski. Wider skis should be purchased if you are skiing on heavy snow because they will be more stable. If you are skiing at a ski resort you may want to go with narrower skis, but the narrower the ski is the faster they will go.


• Determine whether the skis will need to have metal edges, which will give the child better performance when going down hills. The metal edges should be highly considered if you are taking the child skiing cross-country.