Today, modern parents like us would like to spark joy with kids. The first ski class, first-time ski with daddy&mommy, first twin-tip skis give kids tremendous experience. I’m sharing my friend’s experience of choosing skis for kids and reviews.
My husband learned how to ski when he was little by challenging way. He had a long term don’t like to ski by the horrible experience even he has to. (well, he was born and grew in the snow land) So he thinks it’s important to make kids first experience joyful. The key is to prepare a pair of good skis to help kids learn and turn quickly.
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Experience of Choose Kids Skis
My friend Sarah and Dan spent a lot of time and money to find good pair skis for their adorable kids, Luke and Amanda.
At first, Sarah bought a kid skis package for Luke from Walmart, Lucky Bums Kid’s Beginner Skis set. It was very cheap, only cost her USD 50, came with Poles, and was designed for kids age four and under four. However, the ski came with plastic bottoms, no metal edges, release bindings, and other constructions which proper skis should have.
Luke only simple LASH IN the bindings with his snow boots, not slide in. It’s easy for little Luke but not secure. Afterwards, she took Luke to ski in the park (Local Park, without slopes). Luke had good fun with his first skis, and he could move forward or backward quickly as a skiing newbie.
Plastic Kids Skis Result
Consequently, the straps often lose on Luke’s boots (he was about size 6 or 7), and Sarah and Dan tighten them constantly, about every time he falls.
Technically, it’s more like a toy that kids can have fun with it. But it isn’t suitable for the ski lift or downhill skiing as the bindings lose constantly. Notably, it’s 100% made of plastic, which means no metal edges to protect kids from cuts or injury.
After the experience, Sarah and Dan did a lot of research to buy a good safety one to ski on the slope. They said it’s exhausting, and therefore, I’m sharing their experience below to help parents save some time.
Before kids skis reviews, there’s something you need to know, such as kid’s ski sizing, construction.
How to Choose the Right Size Skis for Kids
While purchasing, as parents, we need to find the size of the right ski for kids. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming.
I’ve made a ski size guide and chart from experience to help find the right size skis for kids and adults. [Click Here]
Youth/Kids Skis Construction
Generally, youth/kids skis are soft, forgiving, economical, and easy to learn.
Materials
Youth/kids skis are often made with a cap construction, making them lighter and more forgiving. Also, it’s the most economical way for ski newbies.
There are other types of youth/kids skis made for advanced and above. They typically have vertical sidewalls or wood cores for more aggressive, experienced skiers or race skis. Usually, these skis are demanding and require more vital skills.
Rocker and Camber
Rocker and camber are the shapes of skis. To see rocker and camber explain, Click here>>
Nowadays, most youth/kids skis have a rocker in the tip of skis, and it allows the ski to engage into a turn a little quicker and easier. Moreover, it grabs the snow a little easier, requiring less effort to push out and helping skiers snowploughing.
Youth/Kids Skis With Bindings
There are many youth/kids skis include binding, you will find in the markets. With this type of skis, you don’t need to remove the bindings and re-drill them for proper fitting of the boots.
The only thing you need is to slide the bindings into the appropriate place for that particular kid’s boots. And the bindings can be moved when your child changes boots without compromising the integrity of the ski.
Youth/Kids Skis Without Bindings
Many junior skis, a.k.a flat skis, are available without bindings, and you need to purchase bindings separately.
Here is a guideline for choosing and purchasing a binding. [Updating]
What should I buy, skis with or without bindings?
It’s all up to you.
From our experience, if your kids are new to skiing, the bindings that come with skis are acceptable, as long as they adjust well. For more advanced skiers, you may invest in high-performance skis, boots. Then choose high-performance bindings that work well with it can boost.
No matter which one you choose, I hope you will let a certificate binding technician installs, adjust and test your bindings every season because it’s one of the essential ski safety equipment on the slope.
Youth/Kids Twin Tip Skis
The reason a lot of kids love Twin Tip skis is it’s fantastic! Whether you’re an adult, kid, beginner, seasoned skier, or snowboarder can have just the most fun on the mountain.
Twin Tip skis are different from other skis, and they have a rounded and upwardly curved tail that matches the curve at the ski’s tip.
You can buy a variety of alpine skis with twin tips, such as powder skis or all-mountain skis, because twin tips refer to the tail profile rather than the style of the ski itself.
Some Junior Twin Tip skis have more robust flex patterns and wider waists that require ski skills.
Ski Stiffness and Flex Explain>>
Best Youth Skis for Kids
It lists in no particular order.
| Head V-Shape Team Skis + SLR 4.5 GW Bindings | K2 Indy Skis | Armada Junior ARV 84 (SHORT) | Völkl Revolt Junior Skis + 4.5 vMotion Jr Bindings | Atomic Punx JR + L 6 GW | Volkl Mantra JR | |
| Ability Level | Beginner-Intermediate | Beginner-Intermediate | Beginner-Advanced | Beginner-Intermediate | Intermediate-Advanced | Intermediate-Expert |
| Size Range (CM) | 67-157 | 76-124 | 135-164 | 118-148 | 110-130 | 118-158 |
| Price on Official Website (USD) | $224 | $249.95 | $299.95-$400 | $299.99 | $199.99-$259.99 | $299.99 |
| Where to Buy | Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>> | Buy on Amazon>>, Buy on EVO>> | Buy on REI>>, Buy on Official Website>> | Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>> | Buy on Amazon>>, Buy on EVO>> | Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>> |
| Terrain | Carving, All-Mountain | All-Mountain | Park & Pipe, All-Mountain | All-Mountain | Park & Pipe, All-Mountain | All-Mountain |
| Turn Radius(M, @130cm) | 8.7 Short | 9 Short (@112cm) | 9.5 Short | 10.8 Short | 19.6 Short | 10.2 Short |
| Sidecuts dimensions (Tip-Waist-Tail, mm) | 111-67-96 | 96-70-86 | 114-84-106 | 106-74-99 | 106-80-98 | 111-86-111 |
| Rocker/Camber | Tip and Tail Rocker | Tip and Tail Rocker | Tip Rocker | Camber | Tip Rocker | Tip and Tail Rocker |
| Bindings | ✓ Included | ✓ Included (Not included if buy from the K2 official website) | X | ✓ Included | X | X |
| Bindings System | SLR 4.5 GW AC (DIN Range 0.75 – 4.5) | FDT 4.5, FDT 7.0 (DIN Range 0.75 – 4.5) | X | 4.5 vMotion Jr Bindings (DIN Range 0.75 – 4.5) | X | X |
Head V-Shape Team Skis + SLR 4.5 GW Bindings
Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>>
Pros: Lightweight, easy to manage, easy to turn
Cons: Narrow for freeride
Experience: Dan bought these skis after extensive research for Luke. The ski came waxed and ready to go, which is a bonus. Save some time for parents, though. He would consider him an early intermediate level at that moment.
Luke was able to handle the ski well on the ice and slush snow, and he could make a turn easily and transition to parallel carves without trouble.
The bindings were very easy to put on. Dan was pleased with it.
Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>>
K2 Indy Skis
Pros: Beginner-friendly, easy to steer
Cons: Narrow for freeride
Experience: When Amanda was about to click into her first ski journey, Sarah and Dan bought this one for her. The bindings were easy to slide on the mounts from the tip down.
Amanda was about two and half years old. She adapted to these on his run and could get into ski quickly, slide and steer easily, and play in the park. K2 Indy did a great job.
After a couple of months, she could ski the entire mountain and make more fun on the jumps. She did sink a bit into the powder, which slows her down and makes turning difficult. So she needed new skis to improve her ski ability.
Armada Junior ARV 84 (SHORT)
Buy on REI>>, Buy on Official Website>>
Pros: Versatile, Twin-tip shape, lightweight, easy to handle
Cons: Pricey, no bindings included, not a great beginner’s ski
Experience: Our other friend got these to her nine-year-old son first time skiing, and it was a bit difficult to start.
However, after two or three weeks of skiing, he could twin tips like his big sister, making him happy. He could pick up the speed on the trail and still keep control.
These skis are a great design but better suited for intermediate to advanced kids.
Buy on REI>>, Buy on Official Website>>
Völkl Revolt Junior Skis + 4.5 vMotion Jr Bindings
Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>>
Pros: Twin-tip shape, quick and easy to turn
Cons: Little bit less forgiving, slow speed
Experience: After Amanda had better ability in skiing, Sarah and Dan purchased these skis for her.
Although Amanda couldn’t ski fast as her big brother, Luke, she could make quick turns and feel comfortable riding all day.
Also, she enjoyed that she was able to Twin Tip ski with Luke.
Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>>
Atomic Punx JR + L 6 GW
Pros: Quite light, works in all-terrain, carving well
Cons: Too vast for beginners, no bindings included
Experience: It’s excellent for young rippers.
Luke could crave into the trail, and desire turns quickly without losing control and stability on the groomed run or fresh powder.
But he told Sarah and Dan that he couldn’t reach high speed like his friend. (The reason is that these skis are more flexible than other stiffer ones.)
Volkl Mantra JR
Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>>
Pros: It’s an actual ski, lightweight, easy to use
Cons: Require ski ability, no bindings included
Experience: This was a great move up from a base ski.
Luke was lightweight for his height at the age, but he efficiently improved his game on the mountain.
Unlike some kids’ skis, it doesn’t shortchange for kids.
Recommend to junior rippers.
Buy on EVO>>, Buy on Official Website>>
FAQs
Can I Put a Two-year-old on Skis?
It depends.
Some ski school starting age is 2.5 years old, but some start three years old.
However, you can teach your kids to skis at any age you like. Here are tips and tricks for teaching kids skiing the first time—Click Here>>
Moreover, some tear-free tips for skiing with kids—Click Here>>
What Is The Best First/Beginner Skis for Toddlers?
- Head V-Shape Team Skis + SLR 4.5 GW Bindings
- K2 Indy Skis
Head V-Shape Team Skis sizes range from 67 cm, and K2 Indy Skis sizes from 76cm.
Both are available for little kids and are beginner-friendly.
How do I Choose the Right Ski Size for Kids?
Kids/Youth ski size are related to your kids’ height, weight, ski ability, etc.
I’ve written a convenient guide to calculating kids current ski size quickly. [Click Here]
Which Skis are Best for Intermediate?
- Armada Junior ARV 84 (SHORT)
- Völkl Revolt Junior Skis
- Atomic Punx JR
- Volkl Mantra JR
These are great for kids with intermediate ability. Especially Atomic Punx JR and Volkl Mantra JR are excellent for young rippers.
What Helmet Go Well with Kids Skis?
I would recommend you choose the kids/youth ski helmets with safety certificates. And a fun colour ski helmet will make kids want to wear it more. Most importantly, it helps you to find your kids in the crammed.
Best kids and Youth Ski Helmet>>
How to Choose The Right Size Ski Helmet for Kids>>
Help, Hungry Kids! What Food to Take to The Snow?
Hungry kids are whiny kids.
Kids eating between-meal may not be a good thing. However, skiing is an exercise, and you burn calories while skiing. So you feel hungry, and it’s normal. What if kids get hungry while skiing? Sayonara (Japanese means goodbye), the fun is over.
One of the best pieces of advice for family skiing is to KEEP KIDS FUELED. Carry some easy pocket snacks, such as cheese sticks, boiled eggs, nuts, energy bars, etc., with you while helping you and your kids.
More Tips for Skiing with Kids>>
Conclusion
Getting good skis that suit kids’ ability is always helpful to fewer kids stress while improving their skills.
Below is a quick list for busy parents.
Best First Time Ski for Toddlers
- Head V-Shape Team Skis + SLR 4.5 GW Bindings
- K2 Indy Skis
Best All-mountain Ski for Kids
- Beginner: Head V-Shape Team Skis, K2 Indy Skis
- Intermediate: Armada Junior ARV 84 (SHORT), Völkl Revolt Junior Skis
- Intermediate-Advanced: Atomic Punx JR
- Intermediate-Expert: Volkl Mantra JR
Best Park Ski for Kids
- Armada Junior ARV 84 (SHORT)
- Völkl Revolt Junior Skis
- Atomic Punx JR
If you enjoyed this, don’t miss other ski equipment reviews. [Click Here]
