How to choose skis for kids

Choosing the right skis for your kids is crucial for their safety, enjoyment, and rapid progress. In this guide, we'll give you all the information you need to choose the perfect skis for your little skier.

Above all, kids' skis should offer easy handling and be forgiving of any mistakes. That's why most ski models for children feature a lightweight foam core and a short turn radius for easy turning. The key is to choose the appropriate length, and of course, the safety bindings should be properly adjusted.

If you’re still unsure after reading this guide, remember that we’re more than just an online store. We’d be happy to welcome you to our brick-and-mortar shop, where our ski specialists will help you select the perfect pair of skis for your child.

The right kids' ski length

Choosing the correct ski length is absolutely essential for your kids' enjoyment and smooth progress. The biggest mistake you can make at the start is picking skis that are too long – this can make skiing difficult and discourage your child from the sport altogether.

General rule

• Beginners: 25-30 cm shorter than the child's height
• Intermediate: 15-20 cm shorter than the child's height
• Advanced: 10-15 cm shorter than the child's height

Longer skis would be difficult for the child to handle, slow down their progress, and could even discourage them from skiing.  

Skis that are too short  tend to be unstable and initiate turns with almost no input from the child, which can lead to a loss of motivation to develop proper skiing technique.

When in doubt between two lengths, always go for the shorter skis.

Construction and materials

Composite (foam) core

• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Ideal for beginners
• Suitable for younger children
• Easy to turn and bend into an arc

Wood core

• For more advanced skiers
• Enhanced stability at higher speeds
• Recommended for ski lengths of approx. 110 cm and up
• Optional reinforcements (Titanal, Carbon) for expert junior skiers

The most important factor for kids' skis is that they offer easy control. Manufacturers achieve this by using a lightweight foam core. This not only contributes to a lower overall weight, making the skis easy for a child to manage, but it also allows even a lighter child to flex the skis into a turn without excessive effort.
Given how little children weigh, a foam core isn't a drawback even during faster or more aggressive skiing. (In contrast, foam-core skis for adults lose their edge grip and stability in turns when subjected to higher speeds and heavier loads).

View kids' skis

Kids' skis with stiffer cores and reinforcements (such as titanal or carbon) are manufactured for older children starting from 110 cm in length. These are designed primarily for those with racing ambitions or those who are already into high-performance skiing.

Turning radius

• Smaller radius = easier turning
• Typically 6-10 meters for kids' skis
• The longer the ski, the larger the radius
• A smaller radius is better for beginners

Radius

The radius is a number that indicates the arc of the turn that carving skis naturally carve out under optimal load (meaning when using the correct technique and weight distribution). It is measured in meters. The smaller the number, the easier the skis turn. For kids' skis, the radius usually ranges between 6-10 m, depending on the length of the ski. For comparison, adult slalom skis typically have a radius of around 13 m, while commercial giant slalom skis are around 18 m. Naturally, the longer the ski, the larger the radius.

Rocker technology

• Raised tip (and sometimes tail) of the ski
• Makes turn initiation easier
• Helps with learning correct technique
• Better maneuverability in various conditions

Tip Rocker

This refers to the raised front part of the ski, which helps with turn initiation. This design was adopted from freeride skis, where it is used much more extensively and often on the tail of the ski as well. Originally, its purpose was to help the skis "float" in deep snow, but in recent seasons, modified versions have increasingly been used in on-piste models. For children, it can significantly help when learning correct skiing technique by making it much easier to initiate a turn.

Properly adjusted safety bindings

To ensure a child's safety, it is essential that the skis are equipped with high-quality safety bindings. These must release reliably during a fall, freeing the child’s leg and helping to prevent unnecessary injury. The bindings must have the correct release force range (DIN range) corresponding to the child’s weight and skill level.

Most kids' skis today come with integrated system bindings that offer an appropriate release force range. It is essential to have the bindings adjusted before every ski trip. Do not adjust the bindings yourself – always entrust this task to a specialized service centre equipped with a professional machine for setting the release forces. This is the only way to guarantee that the bindings will release reliably and optimally in all directions. Additionally, you will receive a certification for your insurance provider in case of an injury.

Always request a calibration certificate from the service center – it is essential for insurance companies and is also required by ski schools and for school ski trips.

Key points

• Properly adjusted bindings ensure a safe release in the event of a fall.
• Always have your bindings adjusted at a specialized service centre
• Have the bindings re-adjusted by a professional before every season and whenever the child grows or their weight changes.

View kids' skis

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Available lengths of kids' skis:

Skis for the youngest children
(70-90 cm)

• Very light and soft
• Often with a waxless base (scales)
• Easy to control

Kids' skis start at 70 cm in length, though you can occasionally find models that are even a few centimeters shorter. These skis are designed for absolute beginners from approximately two to three years of age. They are lightweight, soft, and flexible, as manufacturers keep things simple without any advanced technologies – everything is focused on easy handling.

Some models feature a waxless base with "scales" (a pattern on the base), which you might remember from cross-country touring skis. These prevent the child from slipping backward when climbing uphill or gliding on flat ground. 

Naturally, these shortest skis are offered in vibrant designs that appeal to small children, making their first experience on the snow even more fun.

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Kids' skis
(100-120 cm)

• Lightweight composite core
• Reinforced construction
• Good terrain adaptability
• High-quality base

Skis in the 100-120 cm length range are also manufactured primarily with easy handling in mind. These still feature a composite (foam) core, but it is typically structurally reinforced. However, the skis remain lightweight and flexible, with excellent adaptability to uneven terrain. You will no longer find "scales" on these models; instead, they usually feature more affordable extruded bases.

When it comes to design, you can choose between child-friendly motifs and designs identical to each brand's top-of-the-line models. When a child skis on equipment that looks just like the ones used by World Cup stars, it can be a powerful source of motivation.

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Junior skis
(130-150 cm)

• Various constructions based on skill level
• Available in both recreational and performance versions
• A range of different radius options to suit various skiing styles

In this length range, the various models of children's skis also differ in construction and design. You will find skis with a composite core – ideal for older beginners or recreational young skiers due to their light and soft flex. However, you can also choose skis with a wood core and various types of reinforcement for more active children or young racers.
In lengths of 130-150 cm, children's carving skis also begin to vary in their radius. You can choose junior slalom skis for short turns, or giant slalom skis for long turns and higher speeds.

From a length of 140 cm, adult skis are also available – their softer versions can be a great fit for taller children as well.

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Junior racing skis

• Fast racing base
• Construction similar to adult skis (sandwich, wood core, reinforcements)
• Choice of different disciplines (slalom, giant slalom, downhill)
• Requires an experienced skier

Junior racing skis are a specific category of skis designed for young racers and skiers with advanced technique. These skis feature high-end construction, typically including a wood core and reinforcements such as titanal or carbon. Due to their quality, some junior racing models can also be an excellent choice for petite adult skiers.
Some of these skis are not available in standard retail and must be specially ordered. Upon request, we can supply racing skis from brands such as Rossignol, Völkl, Salomon, and others.

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Safety first

In addition to the right pair of skis, don’t forget the essential safety gear:

Ski helmet – An absolute must-have for all young skiers.
Body protection – Consider a back protector. For racing, joint guards are also recommended.
Ski goggles – These protect the eyes from UV radiation and harsh weather conditions (snow, wind). They also provide much better visibility in foggy conditions.