Ski Racing Equipment Guide (U6 through U16)
Choosing the right skis, boots, and poles for young ski racers is crucial for their development and safety. This guide breaks down equipment recommendations by age group – U6, U10, U12, U14, and U16 – with a focus on proper sizing, boot flex, and fit. We stay neutral on brands (all major ski manufacturers offer suitable junior race gear) and instead emphasize fit and function.
Where to purchase?
Alpenland in Lethbridge and Blairmore is great for general ski gear and is one of WSC’s generous sponsors. Technosport and Sporting Life in Calgary carry alpine race specific gear. WSC’s Buy and Sell Facebook and What’s App groups often have used race gear available at great prices.
Boots First – The Most Important Piece
As one coach puts it, “You date your skis, but you are married to your boots”. Well-fitted boots are the foundation of good skiing. Never buy boots oversized for kids to “grow into” – a loose boot can hinder skill development.
Racing boots should fit snugly yet not painfully: when the child’s foot is in the shell (liner removed), you want about 1–2 cm of space behind the heel (a “shell fit” of roughly one to two fingers width) to balance comfort and performance.
Equipment by Age Group
U6 (Under 6) – “Gliding Start”
At this introductory stage (typically ~5 years old), the focus is on having fun and developing basic skills. Equipment should be simple, safe, and forgiving:
U10 (Under 10) – Building Basics
U10 covers young racers roughly 7–9 years old. Equipment is still fairly simple, but kids are growing quickly in size and skill.
U12 (Ages ~10–11) – Transition to Race Equipment
U12 is a transitional stage where athletes typically start using more specialized racing gear (slalom vs. GS skis) and their strength and skills are increasing.
U14 (Ages ~12–13) – Competitive Racing Gear
In U14, athletes are stronger and courses are faster. Equipment now closely mirrors high-level junior race gear, with attention to proper tuning and setup.
U16 (Ages ~14–15) – High-Performance Junior Gear
U16 racers are in full swing of competitive skiing. Equipment now often matches entry-level FIS (U18) gear.
