Ski Equipment

SKIS must be flexible, the proper length, a major brand, and be no more than 3 or 4 years old. Having the appropriate skis for your powderpig’s skill level as well as height and weight will determine whether or not they will get the most out of their lessons. Control is another important factor to consider. A child whose skis are hard to turn or unstable is not as safe as one who is able to get the response they need from their skis.

When measuring for ski length, hold the ski in back of the child with the tip curving towards the child’s head.

BEGINNER TO BEGINNING INTERMEDIATE SKIS

Are designed to be easy turning and very forgiving on gentle slopes at moderate speeds. In the past few years technology has dramatically changed the manufacture of ski equipment, broadening the capacity of many models of skis to respond to demands of a much greater spectrum of terrain, speed and ski levels. Shaped skis are particularly effective for beginning intermediate to intermediate skiers. For beginning skiers the improved turning features of shaped skis need to be balanced by a “pin tail” shape on the tail of the ski. This will allow your powderpig to form a wedge without wearing out their knees, according to Powderpig Dad, John at the Redmond Alpine Hut. 

IF YOU ARE PASSING SKIS DOWN through the family, especially if the “inheritor” won’t be a beginner when they are to use them, a more advanced model of ski should receive strong consideration – especially when the first user of the skis is an aggressive athlete.

Beginning Skiers have very specific needs where skis are concerned. Shaped skis have become very popular because of how very easy they are to turn.  These skis should be as tall as your skier (tips curving right over the top of their head) or just a little shorter depending on your child's build and level of "attack" in physical activities.  If you should choose traditional skis for your brand new skier, they should be measured with skis in the position described above, the ski tip should just curve over the child’s head, to about 2” above for very aggressive, fast growing older children. 

Older and/or Larger Beginning Skiers who are very aggressive in sports (ski size over 140 cm.) remain beginners for such a short time that technically an intermediate ski could be more appropriate. Higher performance skis are also more durable. Shaped skis measure to head height or possibly just a little shorter - depending on how fast they are growing just haw aggressive they really are.  Measure traditional skis 2” to 3” over top of head. 

Beginning Intermediate Skiers are those skiers who, no longer beginners, ski the more moderate terrain with some confidence, picking up a little speed and are beginning to consider venturing up into a little more challenging terrain. For Beginning Intermediate skiers measure shaped skis to head height and traditional skis 2” to 3” above their head. .

INTERMEDIATE SKIS

Are designed with increased torsional rigidity to hold more firmly on icy and more demanding terrain. These skis will turn more quickly and have greater stability at higher speeds allowing the skier to advance as far and as fast as they can. Shaped skis, offer a whole new world of advancement for this level skier.

Intermediate Skiers are those who have left their humble ski beginnings far behind and are enthusiastically on their way to more advanced skiing skills and terrain.

Included in this category can be unusually fast physical activity learners, very aggressive athletes or those who will spend a great deal of time on their skis.

Shaped skis should measure to head height. Traditional skis should measure 3”-5” above the head – depending on weight and aggressiveness.  Make sure skis you buy are children’s skis and not short adult skis, unless your child weighs 100 lbs. or more.

ADVANCED SKIS

Are designed for high performance skiing in the steep, the deep and the downright scary. These skis are also for those that aspire to this level of skiing. The way the materials are designed and constructed determines their sidecut, flex pattern, torsional rigidity, and sustains performance at these sophisticated and challenging levels.

Shaped skis have also entered this arena and enabled more skiers to become “advanced” skiers!

Advanced Skiers should measure shaped skis to head height.  Traditional skis should measure from 3”- 8” above the head depending on growth rate and skill level. Some hard core advanced skiers have been known to prefer an even longer ski. Once again, make sure the skis you’re purchasing are not just short adult skis unless your child is 100 lbs. or more. If your child is over 100 lbs., check to assure yourself that the ski you are considering is indeed a high performance model.

RACING SKIS

Designed for running courses. They are a demanding, high performance experience that sometimes leave something to be desired in conditions like deep powder! According to our sources there is a new category of ski called “Free Ride” that would be worthwhile exploring. These versatile skis measure head high. Talk with the expert in your ski store about these new skis. If you are choosing a traditional racing ski, be sure to talk with your coach about models and lengths.

SKI TUNE-UPS ARE ESSENTIAL!

New skis as well as used skis easily become “untuned” because of temperature and humidity changes in storage. Since having flat bottoms on skis is essential to their performing properly, it is very important that a tune-up is included on the work order when you have your bindings mounted on your new skis OR WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR BINDINGS IN TO BE CHECKED BEFORE THE SKI SEASON BEGINS.

In a tune-up the skis are hot waxed as well as flat-filed or machine ground. Hot waxing conditions the bottoms by filling in the pores of the base material, thus preserving them and producing a surface that makes the skis easier to turn.

SKI BOOTS
Boots should be no more than three years old, must have a DIN number (see ‘Safety Alert’), and should be fit by a specialist in fitting children’s boots. Boots need to be flexible and not too stiff, especially for the light weight or beginning skier. Two buckles for the smaller sizes and usually three for the larger sizes. Single buckle boots, with the exception of rear entry boots, don’t offer the alternatives in fitting and comfort that two buckle boots do. Also, it is very difficult to walk with your top buckle undone when you have only one buckle. On the other hand, too many buckles can contribute to stiffness.

A child’s boot should have “grow room” that can be absorbed by a heavy thermal sock for a secure fit. How much is determined by how early in the season the boot is fit and how rapidly the child’s feet are growing. There shouldn’t be so much room that the contact between the foot and the boot is sacrificed as that is the locus of control between the skier and the ski.

IMPORTANT SKI BOOT NEWS:  ASTM

 In an ongoing effort by the ski industry to remove as many of the risks of skiing as is humanly possible, there is an American directive about boot specifications. Each step of improvement in safety carries with it the corresponding action steps on our part. The upshot of this in practical terms is that new boot purchases, used boot purchases and remounts of equipment are closely regulated. Consequently older boots and bindings will come under careful scrutiny to assure they meet current standards. So be sure to check with the experts before you buy!

STORING EQUIPMENT
All boots need to be stored in a warm, dry place where they can dry out completely between each use, otherwise they can get very moldy and stinky on the inside. YUK! Skis & snowboards need to be stored in a dry, even temperatured environment. The experts advice us never to store skis or snowboards on a concrete surface. When storing skis or snowboards over a long period of time, hot wax the bottoms, covering the edges too, this prevents bases from drying out and the edges from rusting.

SKI BINDINGS
Current, properly mounted, and adjusted by a certified binding technician for that brand of binding. The weight range of the binding must match your child’s weight, particularly the lower weight tolerances. We have had excellent results with Marker and Salomon bindings.

BE AWARE; ONLY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN SHOULD
ADJUST OR WORK ON YOUR BINDINGS AND THEY MUST BE CERTIFIED FOR YOUR BRAND OF BINDING.

Otherwise, the company is released from all technician and malfunction-related responsibilities.

SKI POLES
With the exception of the Wee Little Pigs, poles are required for all students. Make sure your child, with adequately insulated mittens, can hold the pole firmly. Poles must be long enough. To assure proper length, grasp the pole under the grip. The forearm should be parallel to the floor. Ask your salesperson.

POWDERPIG ALERTS
When considering a “package” look at each item

separately – skis, poles, bindings and boots. They need to be individually and collectively appropriate for the child’s height, weight and skill level. If you want a powderpig opinion,  email us or give us a call.

About new skis for “old” skiers:   

Remember, once you have outgrown your beginner skis you will never be a beginner again and you will need more advanced skis. Beginner skis are designed to be easy turning and very forgiving on gentle slopes at moderate speeds. With steeper slopes and faster turns these neat little skis that did such a good job in the earlier stages make for very unstable skiing in the more challenging terrain. When an experienced skier takes “entry level” skis into steep and/or bumpy terrain his/her performance, confidence and enjoyment can be destroyed. Check with your salesman to make sure that new skis are not “entry level” or beginner skis.  If you are passing down beginner skis, make sure they are going to a beginner skier and not to a younger experienced skier.

SAFETY ALERT 

When you are buying ski boots, new or used, be sure the boot has a DIN number on it. It is usually found on the bottom of the boot.  The DIN number indicates a standardization of sole dimensions, materials and torsional rigidity to insure a good crisp release from the binding.

Bindings must also have a DIN number. It is important to make sure that the person that mounts the bindings is certified by the company that produced that brand of binding. All current bindings and boots made by major companies (e.g. Salomon and Marker) comply with these standards and show a DIN number.