2022/23 EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS

U10
1 pair multi-event skis
1 set of poles
1 helmet (no soft ear covering)
GS SUITS ARE NOT ALLOWED FOR RACING EVENTS FOR THIS AGE GROUP

U12 and older

Slalom:
1 pair of skis
1 set of poles
Shin guards
Pole guards
Chin bar & dedicated slalom helmet

Giant Slalom:
1 pair skis
1 set poles
Helmet (NO SOFT EAR COVERING)
GS SUIT is not required but recommended

NOTES:
All Fluoro Wax/Wax table ban- Fluoro waxes are fully banned. No wax of any kind at the start area.
U12 Single ski rule- 1 ski only on race days. Slip skis, warm up skis, and race skis must all be the same on0
race day.
The first U12 race of the season will be without GS suits exposed.

U14
Equipment requirements are the same as the U12 requirements plus FIS approved GS helmet.
2nd year U14s should have access to a pair of SG skis as well (they can be owned or borrowed).
GS SUIT is not required but recommended

Optional Accessories (for U12 and older):
FULL ARM JACKET
BACK ARMOR
ARM GUARDS
Cut-proof clothing/underwear

EQUIPMENT FIT RECOMMENDATIONS
Equipment sizing and information put together by PJ Dewey the owner of Race Stock Sports

** Ski Boot Sizing and Flex **

Ski boots are the most important piece of equipment you will buy for your athlete! Getting the wrong ski boot, or not addressing simple modifications to the boot can significantly reduce the fun and success your athlete will have. Ski boots should fit tightly and have good ankle flex allowing for precision and control of the skis.

Sizing:
To get the right size:

  1. Go barefoot
  2. Remove liner from the shell
  3. Put foot in the shell
  4. With toes grazing the front, take a flashlight and look at the distance from the heel to the back of the

shell.

For kids, 70 lbs. or less this distance is 2.5-3. In general, kids this age and size won’t like a boot too tight. If they are not comfortable at this stage they just won’t want to go skiing. For larger athletes, with 70 flex boots and stiffer, the distance should not be more than 2 cm. This is true for non-race boots as well. One cm is typical of a competitive FIS level athlete. It is important to remember that boots can be easily modified for a better fit. Making boots bigger is a much more effective path than trying to pad up a boot that is a little big. Boots “pack out” and get a little bigger on their own. Working with a skilled ski boot technician should be included with the purchase of ski boots. Another sizing trick is to use the original insole out of the liner. The foot should fill up the piece but not hang over the front of the insole. Toes should be right to the end of the insole but not over it.

Flex:
To learn effectively, athletes need boots that allow them to bend their ankles while in the boot. Generally, boot flex can be estimated by an athlete’s weight, keeping in mind that temperature affects plastic radically. A boot too stiff will not allow the skier to engage and arc the skis and the athlete will have trouble progressing. However, a boot too soft will not control the skis, or hold on hard snow. Remember that ski boots can usually be softened, but not stiffened.

General guidelines:

  1. >60 lbs. = 50 flex
  2. 60-78 lbs. = 60/65 flex
  3. 75-90 lbs. = 70 flex
  4. 87-100 lbs. = 80 flex
  5. 95-110 lbs. = 90 flex
  6. 105-135 lbs. = 110 flex
  7. 130-165 lbs. = 130 flex
  8. 158-198 = 150 flex

Sadly, there is no industry standard for flex, and boots vary between brands. It is wise to work with someone familiar with fitting race boots for the brand you are considering.

** Ski Sizing **
There are several factors to consider when picking ski lengths. Height and weight are primary factors in determining ski length for athletes until the U19 level. Skis that are too short are squirrely at speed, while skis that are too long are hard to turn and control. Ability level is a consideration that may lead you to size up or down. In general, more experienced skiers tend to go on the longer end of the range for the age/size, while less experienced athletes progress quicker on shorter skis. Because of this, it is highly recommended that a coach who has worked with the athlete have some input on the determination of length. Most of the major manufacturers’ junior equipment is similar but may come in different size options that make one brand
more suitable to certain athletes. Below are some general guidelines:

  1. U 8 – This age bracket only requires one ski. This ski should come to the nose in length, be fairly soft, and have a lot of sidecut. Many manufacturers offer “combi” skis at these sizes which are really just SL skis.
  2. U10 – This age bracket only requires one race ski but you may want to consider a free ski so the race skis don’t get destroyed when the athletes are free skiing. Length should be to the bridge of the nose. Even though most of the races are “GS” it will be hard to find GS skis shorter than 135 cm and so often the skier will use SL skis in a longer length. Using a SL ski will help the skier learn to carve and plays to your hand moving to the U12 level as the SL ski can be used again for a second year (saving money the next season).
  3. U12 – This age will require SL and GS skis. The SL ski should be to the bridge of the nose and the GS ski should be a minimum of top of the head and maximum of 2” over top of the head. The level of ability is an influencing factor.
  4. U14 – SL and GS. Same recommendations as for U12 but in these lengths, you may be able to move the more aggressive (and larger) athlete to what are known as “tweener” skis that are beefier than junior skis, but not as strong as adult constructions. SG is part of this level and one size up from their GS length is a general guideline. Smart to consider purchasing GS skis for SG at this age with an idea they can use the ski the next year as a GS ski.
  5. U16 – The sizing gets easier as the athlete gets older. The typical female athlete will be on a 150/5cm SL and a 173/6cm GS (first year); 182cm (second year). Boys will typically move to a 155/7 cm SL and a 182/3 GS (first year) and a 185/9 cm 27 meter GS (second year). You will need SG skis at this point. Some use a longer GS ski. SG skis tend to be softer than GS skis and are more ideal especially for a less aggressive athlete.
  6. U18/21 – Sizing is pretty straightforward here. Women are on a 155/7cm SL and a 183/188 GS. Men can use a 157 as a first-year but then will move to 165cm SL and 188/193cm GS. SG skis should be over 200 cm and for FIS must meet the minimum radius of R>40 for women and R>45 for men.