Alpine Snows Kids
Equipment 101:
What every parent needs to know about equipment

Over the past year we have worked with a number of shops in the area to put together a variety of equipment options.  In the last five years the shaped ski has revolutionized skiing.  Simply put shaped skis are easier to learn on and make skiing easier for children and adults.  We strongly encourage all A.S.K. participants to lease, buy or rent equipment and not use those older straight childrens' skis sitting in your garage.  One of the major goals of A.S.K. is to provide the best and most current instruction on the best and most current equipment.  Thanks to the changes in skis it has never been easier for a child to learn and excel.

If you have any equipment questions please e-mail Ron Bonnevie at: ron.bonnevie@maine.edu or call the shops directly.

Skis:
How long?  Hold the ski like a measuring stick, tail on the floor; the tip of the ski should come somewhere between the child's nose and forehead.

Shaped? What do we mean by shaped skis?  The terms shape refers to the skiing looking a bit like an hour glass with the tip and tail being wider than the waist (area under the boot).  There should be at the very least a 10 - 20 cm difference between the width of the tip and the waist.  Tip and tail measurements should be about the same width.  If you are really curious about all this, take a small plastic ruler that you can see through and do the measurements yourself. 

Boots:
Don't fall into the mind set of buying the boots a size too big so your child can grow into them.  Proper boot fit is one way to guarantee your child will have a fun, safe and successful winter skiing.  The shop where you buy the boots should shell size the boot.  This means taking the liner our of the boot to check for amount of space between your child's heel and the heel pocket of the boot.  This is to insure the right size.  All good shops do this.  After sizing the boot and checking that the boot really fits and it's comfortable, make sure the cuff does not come too far up the leg.  Boots that are too big make it difficult for your child to flex his or her ankles in addition to a loss of control over the ski.

Poles:
Most children don't really need or use poles.  Just one more thing to deal with when riding the T-bar.  The older children in 2nd and 3rd grade who already ski will most likely be ready to use ski poles.  Most of the packages come with poles.  Parents should not go out of there way to buy poles.  If you do purchase poles, make sure the poles are correctly sized.

Helmets:
To quote a very bright young girl, "Third grade is tough, wear a helmet."  There are a variety of helmets available through all the shops.  Helmets should be sized and fit snugly over the forehead.  Helmets that can slide back and forth on the child's head are too big and will not provided appropriate protection.