Advice...skis for a two year old?

[rideit]

Well, thanks to Telemike, Ben has some sweet little boots. Now I have to figure out skis! What have y'all used for your wee ones? Anybody have anything they are looking to recycle that's teenie? (need bindings too)
Thanks!

[rideit]

Chirp....








Chirp....

[stash searcher]

we started a 3year old on kids mini skis.. (salomon, i think) we figured with how often she was going to ski (not very often, since she's not ours) plus how much her feet would grow, at least we'd be able to only get new boots every year for a few years.
check out your local ski swaps? i'm guessing first few years, the skis don't matter so much, though when they start skiing well alone, time to up the ski tech... (we watched a friend's boy go from faster to way too fast-aka straightline tucking with carves- with a new pair of "race" skis at age 5 after using regular cheaper kid skis for three years)

also, IMHO, those tip connectors look confusing.

One of the most useful things I've seen anyone teach a kid was to ski towards the uphill when getting going too fast. (mom yells "Uphill! Uphill!") that kid advanced more quickly than any other kid i've watched from the lift in the past few years (our easier slope is beneath the lift)

I know these things were maybe not what you were looking for, but.. it's all i got for now..
oh, and my little sister learned on some rad ninja turtles skis (ski swap) spray painted bright pink . granted, she prefers snowboarding now, but what can you do? maybe it was the ninja turtles?

[tex1230]

we got a season lease for $99 - boots and skis - and they let us switch boots halfway thru the season when his feet grew. Did that till he was 6 and "REALLY NEEDED TWIN TIPS". Check local shops and see if they have any season leases - I'm sure it will be cheaper given your location...
Oh, and the first 2 years he was on 80 and 90cm Atomics...never used the tip connectors either.

[Pablo Escobar]

195 super bros.

[~mikey b]

rideit

my reccomendations...

Look through some of my threads from the last couple of years for more details and cute kid pictures.

Owen has skied for a couple years on 63cm Rossi Viper skis with pre-drilled holes and integrated bindings we bought new at Sports Authority for $100 on sale. The 63cm version has a waxless pattern that (I think) helps the little rugrats shuffle the flats, and slows the ski down a bit. Owen's got a new pair of 80cm one's waiting in the ski closet for next season. I'll check my shop for you to see what they have in stock.

I've seen these skis branded by Dynastar and Roxy as well. Volkl makes something similar.

Ski swap can be hit or miss. Toddler skis have evolved like ours. Newer models are wider underfoot with a bunch more sidecut (DUH!). Owen could put his skis on edge and carve at 2 - thanks a lot to the skis.

We use a Lucky Bums harness with a leash. You abolutely want want of these.

Giro Ricochet helmet - size XXS kids.

Never used the tip thingies.

We've considered a season lease, but since we travel and ski a lot at other ski areas, outside of ski areas and outside of "ski season", it's in our best interest to have our own gear.

Pablo - Thanks for reminding me I need to get ahold of Pat...

[rideit]

Hey Pat, can yo make me some 65 SB's?
You know, for like, cheap.

[JoeStrummer]

Hey Pat, can yo make me some 65 SB's?
You know, for like, cheap.

+1. With Thomas the Train topsheets.

[cooltsi]

We had a set of 70cm Blizzard Blizzi, I've seen a few 65's as well. The 63 listed below sound perfect. Either way, some short skis work. I bought several of those overpriced edge wedgies in my day. Take the rubber piece off and cut it in half. One, they are too long for toddlers and two you'll need that piece once they break the first. The local ski schools require these and helmets as part of the course. Honestly it's just about them having fun. If that means they are eating snow cookies, great. If they are not having fun it's time to head to the lodge, don't push it. Until they are 4 or 5 they are only good for an hour maybe two maximum depending on the kid. I've put four kids through ski schools, taught several hundred kids in my day and I don't teach my own, unless they ask. And, I have a few opinions on teaching kids to ski......

[spindrift]

2 yr old? I'm not sure that anything more than a snowsuit and making snow outings a fun (and likely brief) playtime is a real good idea... Just my .02.

In your neck of the woods, I'd maybe buy George Mosher a beer and see what he thinks is a good way to introduce kids to skiing such that goodness happens. 'course he may well suggest you hand junior over to him at some point... Which would not be entirely without merit.

You also have maybe the best overall kids area on the planet there IMO. Eyeball Forest, etc. = Win

[lobstahmeatwad]

um fucking tech talk jong?

[Lexi-Bell]

igband got dibs on all my old kids stuff, sorry Rideit. I would suggest getting the shortest skis you can find for the first pair, especially at 2.

Honestly it's just about them having fun.

#1 priority for dad.

I've had a few days when that meant only one run for the day. Its paid off with my oldest as now she won't leave til the chairs stop spinnin.

I always have a thermos of cocoa/snacks waiting in the lodge, books, etc for "breaktime"

Bring some candy for the chair, kind of a reward for staying out.

Coolsti I'd love to hear your thoughts on teaching kids to ski, I've got a six y/o who skis great but my 4 y/o is still learning (will be in your kids' old boots this year-thank-you-very-much!) Specifically about the harness as I've struggled with it.

[SkiFaxon]

I started my kids on snowlerblades. They were about 4 though. I thought we might end up with some twisted knees because of the non-quick-release bindings (whatever they're called) but we never had a problem. I think they might be better in that you never have to worry about recovering skis or clipping in. I would highly recommend getting the little one on ice skates. While it's not quite the same it teaches them some edge control and almost importantly it helps with learning how to fall. Both my boys picked up skiing very quickly and I definitely attribute some of it to the time spent in the rink. Good luck!

[rideit]

Yeah, luckily there will be no time pressure, 1 hour, three, one run, sit in the lodge...it's all part of the gig, and I'm cool with it after many of hundreds of days at the Ghee. I think I scored some Atomic 65's, got boots, just looking for a helmet and harness now.

Ben is the one in the driver's seat, not me.
And he is ready, from what I can see.

[Ottime]

We had a set of 70cm Blizzard Blizzi, .....

I thought those were 80's. I think we picked these up from you. My god son was on them at 3. He was on strap on skis at 2, and mostly just was carried between someones legs as they skied down the slope. Got him used to the chair and the feeling of sliding. The 70s (or 80s) worked well most of the year last year. He can get down low angled blues. He is stepping up in size this season and passing his skis to the younger brother.

I think at this age it is more about getting out than developing a lot of skill. Snacks on the lift are such a big hit. In fact, when we rode a lift this summer (just to see the top) he immediately asked "snack?" as soon as we got on.

The Giro helmet has been a hit. As was the harness at the beginning of last year. There is a lot of debate about the harness, but it gave our buddy some confidence when he needed it. He is a cautious dude.

[titanal]

I never considered taking my son skiing when he was two, just too young and happier hanging out at home with my non skiing wife. Skiing for him started at four and mostly worked out to a ratio of one hot chocolate per run. Man we had some epic struggles some days to even get one run finished.Some simple things I learned the hard way, don't wax the skis, uphill ability is probably more important than down and get a harness, save your back.

[GlimmerIII]

Ride It-Here is a link for kid bindings that I have for sale(shipping included). I started my daughter at two, she is now seven and rips(according to Ben at the Gee) I can now ski switch bent over doing a reverse pizza. LOL
[ame="http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149617"]F.S. Look, Rossi, Dynistar & Roxy Bindings - Teton Gravity Research Forums[/ame]
Hint:Tie the edgy wedgie in a knot, then hook it to both skis.

[krp8128]

I can't comment on skis, but please DO NOT use a harness. All it does is promote back seat skiing. He's your kid, not a horse to reign in.

"Edgy Wedgy" (tip connector) is a whole different matter. IMHO they're good for keeping the tips together if he lacks the muscle control to do it himself (he will at first) but how much about skiing can you really teach if he has no muscle control?

Get him on the snow, make some games out of it. It's all about fun and entertainment at this point.

[niyaeva]

Have them walk around the house with the boots on. The longer mine did, the more they could deal with wearing them in the snow. We took m&m's and threw them down the slope then skied after them. Be willing to stop at any point. I also sought out the smallest and lightest gear. At 2, my son didn't do much -- total skiing hours for the year was maybe 10. At 12, he's kicking my ass. My daughter is the same. 2 years ago they started the backcountry pilgrimage. Although the first couple of seasons seem like they last for an eternity, then it happens --

We did split out lessons and us as parents took them for the "fun skiing time" and they showed us where they went and what they did. The burden of the basics was on someone else so their recess was with us.

Skis -- 70cm, boots were a 15

[hossman]

agreed, 2yr old is not even cognizant of sliding, it wasn't until 3 that my daughter began to understand sliding... but that was just go straight, stop, daddy turn, go straight stop.... 4yrs was the big breakthrough for me. At 6 she's now fully capable... wedgies until transition at 5yrs, found that 70->90mm were the two skis that we needed, this year she's on 120 twins wahoo.

[cooltsi]

I thought those were 80's. I think we picked these up from you. My god son was on them at 3. He was on strap on skis at 2, and mostly just was carried between someones legs as they skied down the slope. Got him used to the chair and the feeling of sliding. The 70s (or 80s) worked well most of the year last year. He can get down low angled blues. He is stepping up in size this season and passing his skis to the younger brother.

Actually we had a set of 70's, 80's and 90's, which I've lived through

You'll see a common thread here, let them have fun, food is good! All else is what worked for their kids. And, Tech Talk.

[FreakofSnow]

Thanks for all the info. I'm trying to decide if I should attempt to get my twin girls (just turned 2) on skis this year or wait til next season.

If anyone has some stuff laying around, we should work something out eh?

[booner]

I put my son on skis last year at 2 and just rented the few times I took him. It was 15 bucks a pop I think, so 45 for the whole year. Be prepared..2 years old is way early, and it will be tough. We had to leave after about 5 minutes on the hill the second time out. That was when I new it would be another year before he was ready. Now that he's 3 he is a lot wilder and adventurous, so I think he'll have a lot more days this year.

[waxman]

the 67cm Dynastar/Rossi/Roxy skis start at 67cm with a long track binding that goes to 2.5 DIN, they do have fish scales on the base to help shuffle around and not slide backwards on the magic carpet
as for not waxing, i went the other way and waxed but did not scrape, the thick layer of wax kept things under control in the mornings and as the days got longer the wax scrapes off almost at the same rate as their comfort with speed
as for harnesses, if you want to save your back get one, nothing is as hard as skiing with a two year old, "back seat skiing" as mentioned above is a feature of any
pre-4 year old skiing experience due the crap boots (there are NO good sub 17.5MP boots, just get what you can that fits) and youngsters musculature
but guess what? at 4-5 it all comes together whether or not you used the harness life is good
and as mentioned above lots of hot chocolate and cookies is great too, i've had one run days and first chair to last chair days and all were fun