How to Size a Child for Downhill Skis

Downhill skiing is a sport that children as young as three or four years of age can enjoy if they have the right equipment. Whether you are buying or renting downhill skis for your children, you need to make sure that the skis are the right size. When skis are too long, it can be very dangerous for children who are not big enough to control their skis, in addition to making it more difficult for them to learn how to ski.

Things You'll Need

  • Thick socks
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

  1. Size Children for Downhill Skis

    • 1

      Put a pair of thick and warm skiing socks on your child's feet and measure each of them, from the back of the heel to the tip of the big toe, in centimeters. Round the larger foot up to the nearest centimeter to find the right boot size, and add a centimeter or two to grow into if you are purchasing ski boots.

    • 2

      Measure the distance in centimeters between the floor and your child's chin, rounding down to the nearest ten. This the longest ski length children under the age of six should use, and for most young beginners, mid-chest or shoulder height is long enough.

    • 3

      As children become more experienced with skiing and get better at turning their skis, you can get them longer skis. If your child is comfortable turning on an intermediate-rated slope, she is probably experienced enough for skis that are eye-height.