Twin tips for my kids

Question
My son (soon-to-be 9) and 10 year old daughter race Far West, but are wanting twin tips for when they free ski.  My daughter is 58" tall and weighs 70lb.  She will ski on the Fischer RC4 world cup 145cm for GS and the 130cm for Slalom.  She is aggressive on the groomers, but less aggressive with jumps, boxes, trees. My son is 50" tall and only 50 lbs.  He is aggressive and likes to do jumps,etc.  I am looking for something that won't be a huge change from their race skis, but allow them to have more fun, ski powder, but also be an all mt ski.  My son will ski on the same Fischer WC, but 123cm for sl and 130 for GS. I was looking at the Fischer addict jr or the Head Mojo Spawn 2 for him and the Volkl Mantra for my daughter, but am open to suggestions.  We live in Tahoe, so we get a fair amount of softer snow, not much ice. Do I go with a length close to their GS skis?  Also, could I put a Fischer FJ 7 binding on twin tips?  Thanks, Sue

Answer
Hi Sue,

Sorry for the delay in responding. I'll try to keep my answers simple. Firstly as a race coach but also a retailer I've been able to advise some of my club kids on similar purchases in the past. While I initially had reservations on what effects on their technique using twin tips can have I've learned a few things from the process. I purchased twins myself 4 years ago to both experiment and also to have a terrain park friendly product. Now the reservations based on that experience. On hard snow (which is mainly what is available here) there is almost no similarity to the race types of turns we teach. I also teach entry level ski instructors and the same is true here, that while fatter means more float its the enemy of arcing the ski. So the first suggestion in keeping it as similar to their race skis as possible is that you make sure the waist of the skis is less than 80 mm. Your snow conditions offer the ideal platform for playing with this type of ski. The right ski is also going to perform more like their GS skis than anything else. That is to say that the radius of the turn is going to feel more like the upper range of average turn shapes. In terms of similarity the 131 may be closer in the Fischer Addict Jr (106-72-99) than the Head Mojo Spawn 2 (which by the way is a tremendous kids ski)though check the radius here as well (the waist dimension is the giveaway). If this is closer than the 145 cm (109 / 77 / 103 cm) dimensions I can find for this ski its a serious possibility as well. Both of these skis are rated for the Park & Pipe experience though the Head has a reputation for powder as well.

I suggest that you keep whatever ski you buy closer to the GS lengths if the goal is to have a ski experience that can be more all mountain. This allows for more tip in front and an easier time in powder. As to the Volkl Mantra (Jr?) this shows up as 138 cm 12.3r  (113-80-105) and a Powder ski rather than a Park & Pipe with powder applications (really a bib mountain ski). This seems like a fit with your daughter from what you have described. Great float in deeper snow though its performance may not be as precise on the groomers as she is used to from her GS skis (again because of the waist width limiting the speed with which the new inside edge can be engaged when switching from one turn to another).

The bindings you refer to, as long as they are for installation on flat skis (no track or pre-mounted hardware) and have a wide enough break are fine. My suggestion for bindings nowadays is very simple. Stick to what the manufacturer of the skis offers to ensure compatibility.

Great to see kids doing both, racing and freeride/terrain park. The positive experiences that I've had with my racer kids spending more time on snow (so developing new competencies) in different conditions and just getting charged up on skiing in general has been great. Also saving the race skis for training and racing only rather than freeskiing has benefits. They have even developed a greater focus on their technique as racers and self awareness and appreciation of the sport in general. Its clear to me that you have recognized that keeping kids enthused about skiing is one of the best ways to keep them interested in the sport as well.

Hope this has been of some assistance. Have a great year.