kids skis

Question
I would like to buy skis for my daughters.  We ski Deer Valley and Park City for 1-2 weeks a year, They have been skiing for 5 years, Mostly with a couple of freestyler family friends (one just got a silver at DV!).  One girl is 8, 49", 49lb and a world cupper-to-be, always has to be first down.  The other is 9, 58", 65lb, solid performer that would like to go faster (to keep up w/ her younger sister, any reccomendations?

Answer
Hi Julie,

Most kids skis are built the same- a RIM (reinforced injection molded, or Reaction Injection Molded, depending upon who you ask)Core ski with a cap designed to look like the big kids models.

Luckily, the real deal exists in kids race skis- which offer the dampness, response and flex of "real" skis. Elan was making some great junior race skis with wood cores- but a recent check of their web site came up with the girls Spicy as the best of their offerings. Fischer also makes some great kids models in the race category. Why Race? because kids race skis are built well but still have the flex kids need, whereas kids "rec" skis look good but mostly stink. What you usually get is an extruded base- which is slow and does not hold wax. What you want is a sintered UHM base- and only race models have it.

The RC4 Worldcup SL Jr. is the ticket you seek. for the 9 year old, I'd consider a 135 cm. ski. The 8 year old will be hard pressed to ski that skis minimum of 125 cm, so we'll have to seek another choice for her. If you can wait till next season, I'd look at the Nordica Dobermann SLJ in a 131.

The Fischer Villain Jr. in a 111 may be the right tool for the 8 year old. Its still a foam core, but its softer in flex and well suited. Head makes a nice ski in the World Cup Race, but again it's big at 120 cm. The Head Sure Thang in a 118 offers a good base, but a foam core.

So we're doing ok for the 9 year old, but the options for the 8 year old are limited. Look into those that I've listed, and keep it fun.

Thanks for writing- Ron