What length skis for kids, which boots and which helmet to choose

For children, height, weight and skills matter most

Two six-year-olds can differ a lot in height and weight. One may already ski down a blue run with confidence, the other is standing on skis for the first time. That is why we do not choose children’s equipment by age alone. Ski length depends mainly on the child’s height and weight, and on how confidently and how often they ski. Age comes into play mainly when setting the bindings, more on that below.

Where to start with children

Gentle slopes are suitable for the first days on snow. A few hundred metres from the historic centre of Vrchlabí is the Kněžický vrch ski area, with gentle runs suitable for beginners, a conveyor lift for children, a ski school and refreshments. In Špindlerův Mlýn, the town recommends the Horní Mísečky area for children and beginners.

What length skis for kids: why you will not find a chart here

Charts and formulas for children’s ski length vary from source to source. That is why we do not give a specific number here, for a particular child it could easily be wrong. A few things apply in general, though:

• Lighter skiers need shorter and softer skis. This applies to children too.
• Beginners usually choose shorter skis because they are easier to turn.
• On skis that are too long, a child who has not yet learned the technique tends to struggle. Skis with lots of room “to grow into” therefore make learning harder.

When you rent kids’ skis from us, we choose the length based on the child’s height, weight and experience. If you would like to know why we chose that particular length, we will be happy to explain it on the spot.

Ski boots: at most one size bigger

With boots, it is tempting to buy two sizes bigger so they last next winter too. The usual advice, however, is to buy children’s ski boots at most one size bigger. In a boot that is too big, the foot moves around, the child has less control over the skis and learns to ski more slowly.

How to tell that a boot fits:

• The foot does not swim in the boot, but the toes are not squashed.
• When the child bends the knees forward, the heel does not noticeably lift inside the boot.
• After standing for a while, the child does not complain that something presses or hurts.

Ski boots are often sized in Mondopoint, which is the length of the foot in centimetres. If you are buying boots, it is worth measuring your child’s foot at home.

Helmet and goggles: above all, they must fit

We always recommend a helmet for children on the slopes. Whether a particular ski area requires one, you can find out from its operating rules. It is just as important that the helmet fits well. For children, a helmet with an adjustable circumference is a good choice, as it can be adapted to the head, for example when a thin hat or a balaclava is worn underneath.

• The helmet does not wobble on the head and does not press anywhere.
• It covers the forehead but does not slip over the eyes.
• The chin strap is fastened but not too tight.
• Try goggles on together with the helmet, so there is no gap between them and they do not press on the nose.

You can also rent a helmet and goggles from us separately, on their own or with a set. Just mention them in your booking.

Leave children’s bindings to a professional

Bindings should release the ski in a fall, but they should not release during normal skiing. Mounting and adjusting bindings is covered by the ISO 11088 standard. The setting depends on weight, height, age, skier type and the sole length of the boot. That is why it is recommended to leave the adjustment to a professional and, on your own children’s skis, to have it done before every season.

On a rented set, we adjust the bindings ourselves, based on the child’s details and to the boots they are renting from us.

Season-long rental: no worries about your child outgrowing the gear

Do you go to the mountains several times a winter? Consider a season-long rental. You keep the children’s set all winter, and for the next season you choose again based on how much your child has grown in the meantime. That removes the dilemma of whether to buy bigger, as well as the question of what to do with outgrown skis after the season. If you are only going for a few days, a regular rental for the days you ski is enough.

Prices for season-long rental of children’s sets are in the price list

What to tell us in your booking

We prepare children’s equipment based on the details in the booking. For each child, please fill in:

• height in centimetres
• weight in kilograms
• the shoe size the child normally wears
• experience (beginner, skis occasionally, or experienced)

In the booking note, add the children’s ages and whether you would also like a helmet or goggles. It is better to measure and weigh your child at home, as a guess by eye is often inaccurate with growing children. When you pick up the gear, it is a good idea for your child to try on the boots and helmet. If something does not fit, tell us right away.

Book children’s equipment