Have you bought plastic skis? Their advantages over wooden skis. Winter sports: choosing cross-country skis for the whole family Choosing ski boots

With the arrival of the most fabulous and magical time of the year, it would be worth thinking about what you can do with yourself in winter? Just think about playing snowballs, sledding, ice skating and, of course, skiing. Why not bring to life the best moments of the past? Today, the shelves of ski stores are filled with various products, so the question is more pressing than ever: how to choose skis, mountain or cross-country?

How to choose the right skis: deciding on your riding style

Before you go shopping at a specialized store, you should decide what style of riding you have.

If you are new to skiing and want to buy a pair of skis for walking in the winter forest, then most likely your skiing style is classic. This style is inherent in almost all people who start skiing.

The second style is skating. A skier in this style resembles a speed skater, pushing off from the snow with the inside of the track. This type requires a wide track and dense snow.

Having set yourself the goal of how to choose skis for a beginner, do not try to adopt the riding style of a pro, since it will be problematic to move around a snow-covered forest on skating skis.

We're going to the mountains: which skis to choose?

Skis for skiing on mountainous terrain are called mountain skis. Depending on the target audience, they come in several types:

• professional- the name speaks for itself, this type is designed for professionals. They are marked with the English word “Sport”. For buyers of such skis, there is no question of how to choose the right skis. These are people who have been riding for many years and have professional riding skills. Professional alpine skis are very light in weight, but the most expensive in price;

• amateur skiing- this type of ski is also sports and is labeled “Fitness”. These skis should be chosen by people who have been skiing for a short time and do not consider themselves skiing professionals. They are much heavier in weight than professional skis, but also more affordable;

• tourist or "Touring"- this type is intended for long and complex tourist trips. The width of touring skis is much larger than others, as is the weight, which sometimes reaches 1.5 kg. They are more rigid in their structure and often come with notches to avoid slipping;

• recreational- they are slightly similar in appearance to touring skis, but are lighter in weight. Pleasure skis are intended for short skiing over short distances on snowy plains; beginners can choose them;

• children's or teenagers- this type is marked with the word “Junior”. They are often made of plastic; skis of this type have fasteners for a regular boot. These skis are light and comfortable for a child to ride; choosing from the range of this series of skis is a pleasure.

How to choose alpine skis according to a person's height

Before choosing alpine skis, pay attention to their length or, as they also say, size. If a person is a beginner and is not confident in his abilities in skiing, then it is better to take skis at the rate of minus 20 cm from the person’s height.

A person with an average level of training should pay attention to skis whose length is 10 cm less than his height. Professionals choose alpine skis according to their height or 10-15 cm less.

Choosing cross-country and skating skis correctly

Buy ski equipment only in specialized stores, check for certificates of product compliance with European standards.

Before you start giving advice, how to choose skis running and skating, you need to clarify what kind of riding they are suitable for. Cross-country skis are designed for fast riding over short distances; they are light, smooth, and gliding.

Skate skis are the hardest; their main visual difference is that they do not have an upward-curved corner.

How to choose cross-country skis

• You should choose cross-country skis according to individual parameters, such as height, weight, professional skills and, of course, financial capabilities.

• Cross-country skis are selected based on +15, 20, 25 cm to a person’s height.

• The weight of skis and poles should not be too heavy. Cross-country skiing involves a fast pace of skiing, pay attention to these parameters, as they are very important.

How to choose skate skis

• Skating skis must be rigid, because when moving, the ski block must spring back and push the skier forward. This type has a blunt, not curved toe, and the length of the ski track should exceed a person’s height by 17-20 cm.

• Determine hardness. Place the two ski tracks vertically, with the sliding surface facing each other, and, squeezing the pads with all your might, look at the gap between them. If the clearance is 3-4 mm, then these skis will suit you. If it is only 1-2 mm, then it is better to refuse the purchase due to insufficient rigidity.

How to choose skis by height? The table will help you determine the length of skis and poles for an adult.

How to choose skis and poles according to your child’s height

Children's and teenagers' skis should first of all be soft, which will allow the child to quickly learn how to ski and get maximum pleasure from riding. Many parents, in an effort to save money, buy skis for their children to grow into.

Longer skis are harder to control; a child may not be able to handle it, and this will discourage him from wanting to ski. When choosing skis for a child who is just learning to ski, you need to calculate the size of the skis according to the child’s weight: if the weight is about 20 kg, then the length of the skis should be 70 cm, 20-30 kg - it is better for the child to buy 90 cm skis.

« How to choose skis child so that he does not get injured while riding them? - This question worries many parents. If skis and equipment are selected correctly, the child will feel comfortable on the ski slope, and the likelihood of injury will be significantly reduced.

It should be noted that it is not at all necessary to buy expensive skis for a child to ride. Children grow up and are often not advanced skiing professionals; what is more important to them is the feeling that close people are nearby and doing something together.

This table will help you choose the right length of skis and poles for your child:

Making the right choice: wood or plastic

Wooden e is a classic and ecological type of ski, proven over the years. The disadvantages of wooden skis include the fact that they are not as slippery as plastic. In addition, their weight is significantly greater.

Plastic skis more practical and modern. They excel in operation under different weather conditions and snow conditions. If snow makes it difficult to ski on wooden skis in above-zero temperatures, then plastic will pass this test with a bang.

In addition, plastic skis are durable; they do not deform like wooden skis from moisture and dampness.

Take it for yourself and tell your friends!

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Everything for those who dream of skiing in the nearest park on smooth snow or ski tracks.

What are cross-country skis?

Cross-country skiing is divided into racing, amateur and touring. As a rule, the purpose is indicated in the product card.

1. Racing (marked Racing and Racing PRO). These skis are designed for athletes and amateurs who want to improve their speed. This is an option for specially prepared trails.
2. Amateur or recreational (Active, Fitness). This is an option for those who sometimes go for a ride in the park, do it for fun and do not strive for records. Skis are slightly wider than racing skis; expensive materials and technologies are rarely used in their production.
3. Tourist (Back Country). These are skis for hunters, tourists and fishermen, people who need to move around, without pistes or ski tracks. Such skis are much wider than recreational skis in order to support a person’s weight on loose snow.

Skis

Classic skis (designated Classic or Cl) are longer than skate skis, have a sharp toe and a soft last. There may be notches under the block (designated TR) that prevent slipping during repulsion. On the left is a ski with notches, on the right - without.

If the ski does not have notches (designation WAX), a special ointment provides an anti-slip effect. However, it will be quite difficult for beginners to apply it correctly, so a ski with serrations will be the best option.

To choose the size of classic skis, add 20 cm to your height or simply raise your hand: the lowered palm of your outstretched arm should touch the top of the ski.

It is also worth paying attention to the stiffness of the skis. First, determine the center of gravity: place the ski on your hand so that both ends are in balance. Then fold the skis with the sliding side towards each other and squeeze with one hand 3 cm below the found center of balance. There will be a distance of 1–1.5 mm between skis of suitable stiffness.

What to buy

Boots

Boots for classic skis are low and soft, without special inserts to secure the foot.

You shouldn't buy boots back to back. If your big toe rests on the toe of the shoe, your foot will quickly freeze. Better take boots half a size larger.

What to buy

Sticks

When choosing poles for classic skating, pay attention to their length. With short ones, it will be uncomfortable for you to walk on flat terrain, with long ones, it will be uncomfortable to climb slopes. Select poles according to your height: the lanyard exit (the place where the strap is attached to the pole) should be at the level of your shoulder.

Poles are made from aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fiber. Aluminum ones can bend under load. So, if you weigh a lot, choose glass and carbon fiber. The latter provides the greatest rigidity and lightness of the poles. These poles are used by professional athletes.

Also pay attention to the material of the handle. Poles with cork handles are well suited for walking in cold weather: cork does not get cold on the hand, unlike plastic.

Skis

Skis for skating (designated Skate or Sk) are shorter and have a smooth last, since with this type of skiing the notches only get in the way, clinging to the snow and reducing speed.

To find the ideal length for skate skis, add 5–10 cm to your height.

It is also worth checking the stiffness of the skis. The gap between skis compressed with one hand should be 1.5–2 mm.

What to buy

Boots

To prevent injury and excessive stress on the foot during skating, additional support is needed. Therefore, skate boots are taller and stiffer than classic ones and are supplemented with a special plastic cuff.

What to buy

Sticks

Skating poles are longer than classic poles. The lanyard should be at the level of the skier's chin or lips.

How to choose all-mountain skis, boots and poles

If you plan to master both classic and skating, you can purchase universal equipment.

Skis

All-mountain skis (designated Combi) are longer than skate skis, but shorter than classic skis. To determine the required length, add 15 cm to your height.

As for knurling, some all-mountain skis have a replaceable center: if you want to ski in a classic style, use knurling; if in a ridge, remove the nozzle with notches.

What to buy

Boots

Boots for all-mountain skis are almost no different from classic ones. They are just as soft and flexible, but have a plastic cuff that supports the ankle.

What to buy

Sticks

For universal skis, poles are suitable for both classic and skating.

What types of fastenings are there?

Three types of mounts are now common: the legacy NN 75, NNN (with or without NIS platform) and SNS.

Surely many remember this mount from childhood. This is an ordinary metal brace that fixes the leg, but it does it rather poorly.

With the NN 75 it is almost impossible to skate. In addition, they don’t make good boots for this mount. The only advantage is the low price.

What to buy

NNN (New Nordic Norm)

This mount consists of two guides (flexors) located at some distance
from each other, and the rubber stop.

There are two options for such fastenings: automatic and mechanical. The automatic NNN mount snaps into place by simply pressing your boot onto the shackle. In the case of a mechanical one, you will have to open the lid with your hands, and after installing the boot, close it.

However, the mechanical fastening is more reliable: it cannot accidentally come loose, for example, during a fall. Additionally, if you plan to ski in warm weather, water that gets into the automatic binding may freeze and cause a permanent blockage.

Also, the fastenings differ in the degree of rigidity. If the NNN rubber stop is white, the mount is intended for hard riding; if it is green, it is intended for softer riding. Black stops are suitable for standard skating, and red ones for soft skating.

If you prefer skating, choose bindings with white or green rubber bands. If classic - with black or red.

To install NNN on skis, you need to find the center of gravity and drill a hole for the mounts. However, there is a simpler and more convenient installation method: special NIS platforms.

The Nordic Integrated System (NIS) was developed in 2005 for NNN mounts. Skis adapted for NIS are equipped with a special plate on which the binding is installed. There is no need to drill the skis, just slide the mount along the guide plates and click into place.

The mount is easy to install and remove, eliminates the need to search for the center of gravity of the ski and can be used with different pairs of skis.

What to buy

This is a mount with one wide guide and two brackets. SNS fasteners are also divided into automatic and mechanical.

Unlike NNN, SNS has only three levels of severity. They are marked with a numerical value and color. For a classic move, you should choose bindings with a flexor stiffness of 85 (yellow), for a skate - 115 (red), and for universal use - 95 (pink).

In terms of comfort, stability and lateral stability, there is little difference between SNS and NNN mounts.

Most cross-country ski boots are designed to fit a specific type of binding. Therefore, first choose boots that fit perfectly on your feet, and only then choose the bindings that fit them.

Due to NIS, NNN fasteners are more convenient to install, but SNS are more stable: due to the NNN platform, they are higher than SNS screwed on with screws. On the other hand, a higher position increases the force of the push. In general, both mounts are used by both amateur and professional athletes.

What to buy

What materials to choose

Skis made from solid timber or glued layers of wood are becoming a thing of the past. Modern models also use wood, but, as a rule, the core consists of it, and the sliding surface is made of plastic.

If you're used to skiing on wood skis, plastic may feel uncomfortable due to kickback. Plastic is more slippery and, unlike wood, does not “ruffle” when rubbing against snow.

However, with proper lubrication of plastic skis, it is quite possible to avoid kickback. As for the advantages, plastic skis are more durable and, unlike wooden skis, allow you to ski at above-zero temperatures.

According to the manufacturing method, skis are divided into Sandwich and Cap. The former are several layers of plastic and wood glued together, the latter are a wooden core with a monolithic plastic cover.

For cheaper skis, the core is made of wood with air channels. In professional and more expensive ones, it is a wooden honeycomb or made on the basis of acrylic foam with a mesh of carbon and fiberglass, lightweight polyurethane foam with carbon and fiberglass inserts (Polycell technology), Densolite foam or other lightweight synthetic materials.

The sliding surface is made from different types of plastic. For cheaper options, extruded plastic is used, for more expensive options, high molecular weight universal plastic is used.

Nowadays, many new technologies and materials are being used that keep skis light and at the same time provide strength. However, all this affects the price.

So if you're a beginner, it's worth trying a regular ski with a wood or Densolite foam core and an extruded or high molecular weight plastic skid surface. The price of such skis depends on the specific brand and ranges from 2,000 to 8,000 rubles.

What brands to pay attention to

Among the well-known Russian manufacturers is the STC factory. It makes both racing and recreational skis, the Sable, fiberglass ski poles.

Professional models have a honeycomb core and a PTEX 2000 (carbon fiber) sliding surface, and amateur models have a wooden core and a plastic coating. Skis are made using Cap technology and are sold at very affordable prices.

Among foreign brands (whose products are often produced in Russian factories, including STC), the Austrian ski and equipment manufacturer Fischer is quite popular.

Fischer produces men's, women's and children's professional and amateur skis, using combined materials such as a wooden core with Air Tec Basalight basalt fibers. Fischer skis can be purchased at prices starting from 5,000 rubles.

No less famous is the French ski brand Rossignol, whose production is located in Spain and Ukraine. The cheapest amateur skis with a light wood core and a plastic sliding surface can be bought for 5,500–6,000 rubles. Almost all skis of this brand are equipped with the NIS platform.

The third brand from the rating is the Norwegian company Madshus. Amateur skis of this brand are made using Cap technology with a wood core with channels, glass and carbon fiber braiding and a plastic sliding surface. The cost of the cheapest skis of this brand is 3,000–5,000 rubles.

Around the same price category, the cheapest amateur skis are from the Austrian brand Atomic and the French company Salomon. Cheaper Salomon models have a core made of dry Densolite foam and a sliding surface with the addition of graphite, while more expensive, professional models have honeycomb cores and a sliding surface with the addition of zeolite.

Each brand develops its own technologies: lighter cores, adding various minerals to improve gliding, changing ski geometry. Therefore, it is best to focus on the purpose of the skis (for what purpose, recreational or sports) and the availability of a suitable length and stiffness for you.

Note! You can buy the skis and equipment presented in the article cheaper if you use the special Lifehacker section.

For short one-day walks on ready-made ski tracks, regular cross-country skis are ideal. The level of skis is determined mainly by the level of the skier, but there is no particular point in expensive “racing” models, and it’s a pity to tear them off on all sorts of unexpected obstacles on a recreational ski track. Ordinary modern backcountry skis will suffice. Often such skis are produced with a notch on the sliding surface - a “multigrip”. This notch worsens forward sliding, but partially prevents the skis from kicking back on climbs. This is a kind of relaxation for those who do not chase high speeds on the ski track, but want to get rid of the difficulties of “getting into the ointment.” Skis with a smooth sliding surface must be properly lubricated, and this is a whole art that turns into shamanism.

Relatively inexpensive recreational skis are made in Novgorod and Sortavala, and Finnish manufacturers are widely represented on the Russian market. Many well-known companies such as Fisher, Atomic and Rossignol have their own inexpensive models for skiing. These skis are usually slightly wider than the “racing” top models, and based on stiffness and other characteristics they are divided into “classic” and skating skis. For forest skiing, the former are preferable, but in many respects this is a matter of taste. Skate skis are shorter and stiffer.

The next step away from civilization is wider touring skis. They are less common on sale. Often, multigrip on such skis is made along almost the entire length of the sliding surface. They go worse on ski tracks, but they can already be used on shallow virgin soil or very rough terrain with constant descents and ascents. For forays somewhere on the Karelian Isthmus, this is almost an ideal option.

Let's call the next class of skis “mountain touring.” These are skis 7-8 cm wide under the cargo area, with a metal edge. Such skis are characterized by increased strength and are designed for the most difficult operating conditions: Siberian ice, ice hummocks, stone deposits lightly sprinkled with snow. This class includes the legendary Tissa-Beskid skis, previously produced by the Mukachevo factory. Now, unfortunately, production has stopped, and you can only buy Beskyd by chance, “from old stocks.” More than one generation of tourist skiers has grown up on these skis. What distinguished “Beskyd” from modern imported analogues was its wooden sliding surface, made of durable types of wood, which gave certain advantages on hikes with constantly changing snow conditions.

Skis for ski touring also belong to the mountain tourist class. They are distinguished from ordinary alpine skis by their lighter weight and often by the presence of holes in the toe and/or heel (for transporting the skis behind you on a rope and quickly tying drags). To move on level ground or when going uphill, use kamus - a special fleecy tape that is glued to the plastic of the sliding surface. The camus is quite easy to stick and peel off; if the adhesive surface wears out, apply the glue again. Kamus is an invention of ancient hunters, only then animal skins were used to ensure one-way gliding, and now synthetics and the latest achievements in the field of polymer chemistry were used. Ski touring and ski boots are justified in large mountains; when moving through rugged forests, they are inconvenient - you really won’t be able to take off and put on your ski boots on every 10-15 meter hill! It’s a different matter with real mountains: I went out in the morning to climb, climbed for half a day on ski boots, at the top or pass I took off my boots, put them in my backpack, fastened special bindings to the “ski position” - and down the most difficult slopes! Romance...

In addition to ski touring, there are also skis for telemark (an ancient Norwegian skiing style that has received a second wind and mass recognition in the Scandinavian countries over the past couple of decades). In our classification, these skis also fall into the category of “mountain touring skis”. Plus, you don't have to know how to ski telemark to use these skis for hiking. They fit perfectly - light, durable, with metal edging.

Wider “hunting” skis are no longer so convenient for hiking. As practice shows, they still cannot completely eliminate heavy tracking of the ski track, and walking on skis that are too wide is inconvenient. As an intermediate option, at one time the “Forest” skis from the Novgorod factory were popular, mainly due to their affordability. But they are fragile, without edging, and now their use in tourism has been reduced to a minimum.

One of the pleasant and useful winter pastimes is skiing. In order for them to bring you only positive emotions and benefits, you need to choose the right skis that suit your riding style and body size. In this article we will tell you in detail about cross-country skis and how to choose them in a store.

Cross-country ski device

Each ski has a bottom and top surface, ribs, a toe, a heel and a cargo area for attaching boots:

1. The lower sliding surface is the working surface. Depending on the weather, it must be treated with different ski waxes. One or more guide semicircular or trapezoidal grooves can be cut into it.
2. On the top surface there is a platform for installing the fastener. This is what your leg rests on.
3. The front part of the ski, or tip, has an outwardly curved shape that ensures easy gliding on the snow.
4. The back or heel is thickened and reinforced with a glued wedge, rounded to reduce drag. It also prevents the ski from splitting.

Cross-country skis have a special weight deflection. When an athlete stands on them, they bend and distribute body weight evenly onto the snow-covered base.

What are cross-country skis made of: plastic vs wood

When choosing cross-country skis, people always wonder about the choice of material from which these products are made. Experienced athletes or beginners who grew up on Soviet wooden skis do not like to switch to modern plastic models. It's not a matter of retro-minded individuals or a reluctance to embrace innovation, but a lack of real information regarding the features of cross-country skiing like this.

Skiers using wooden skis know exactly the mileage they can cover in a specific time period. Skis were traditionally lubricated with a holding ointment along the entire length and warm under the block, and this was enough to prevent kickback when riding. The wood structure also contributed to this.

As for plastic models, everything is not so simple. Having bought them and started to maintain them the same way as wooden cross-country skis, many people are disappointed in the purchase. The fact is that plastic has better sliding properties, especially compared to wood. Thus, before traveling on such skis, they need to be thoroughly lubricated with suitable products in certain places, and not everywhere. Read more about this on our website.

Plastic models are more durable than wooden ones and can be used even in warm weather. As for wooden cross-country skis, it is impossible to use them when the thermometer is above zero.

What stiffness should cross-country skis have?

To select high-quality and comfortable cross-country skis, you need to pay special attention to the selection of stiffness. Each ski has a bend, which greatly affects the performance of the ski. The maximum force applied from above to push through this deflection depends on the rigidity.

One of the effective ways to determine the stiffness of classic skis is to push the ski with both hands until the sliding surface comes into full contact with the floor. When you can’t push through, you should choose a model with less rigidity. For skate skis, the gap when squeezing with one hand should be 1-2 mm. Some models indicate the range of the athlete's permissible body weight.

For beginners and amateurs, it is better to choose cross-country skis with a low or medium degree of rigidity. If classic skis do not fully press when pushing off, then the choice was made incorrectly.

As for the choice of skis for, they are about twice as stiff as usual and should not be pressed completely when pushing off. At the same time, they are 15-20 cm shorter than usual.

How to choose the length of cross-country skis

Ski lengths must be selected taking into account your riding style:

• for the classic running style, you should add 25-30 centimeters to your height;
• for skating, add 10-15 cm to your height.

As a rule, the longer the skis, the higher their stiffness. Thus, if the skis selected for the length are too soft, choose a longer model.

How do classic skis differ from skate skis?

Skating skis must glide in all conditions, while classic skis glide and grip alternately - this difference is key. Regular cross-country skis are about 15 cm longer than skate skis, as they must both glide and grip. Due to their increased length and lower rigidity, classic skis are more difficult to control when making high-speed turns on the slopes if you do not know how to move off the track by stepping. Due to the fact that you usually have to move on the track during the classic course, cross-country skis usually have high toes, compared to skating models.

Skate skis are suitable for prepared wide and hard trails, so recently manufacturers of such products have trimmed the toes to increase aerodynamics and reduce the weight of the ski, but preventing “tramping the virgin soil.” At the edges of the route near the dumps, you need to move carefully, because if the toe lands in a snowdrift, you cannot avoid falling.

Today, there are also universal skis on sale, which are slightly more rigid than classic skis and are shorter in length. This is not the best option for both beginners and amateurs and professionals.

How much should good cross-country skis cost?

Expensive cross-country skis from world-famous brands usually cost from 4,500 rubles, while inexpensive domestically produced models can be found for about 1,000 rubles. If you are a beginner, pay attention to skis from Russian brands, and after acquiring certain skills and experience, you can switch to a more expensive model.

An exception in this case may be a large body weight exceeding 70-75 kg. Inexpensive domestic skis have one important drawback - they are not designed for heavy people. They have to choose cross-country skis from a different price range, focusing on models from well-known brands.

What is the difference between regular models and the most expensive branded ones? Skis for professional athletes are produced in special workshops, which are located in the same place as the manufacturing company itself. Structurally, such models are very complex, so everything is carefully simulated on a computer. All new developments are tested by experienced athletes before being put into production. In the manufacture of branded skis, expensive materials are used, which are borrowed from the aerospace industry. All these factors make it possible to produce first-class skis that cost a lot of money.

Regular mass-produced skis, which are sold in all sports stores, are intended for amateur skiers and are universal, that is, suitable for different weather conditions. As for professional athletes, they have to change their equipment every time the temperature changes. When creating mass-produced skis, less expensive materials are used, making the products heavier. For example, a pair of branded cross-country skis weighs about a kilogram, and amateur ones - about 1.5 kg.

Beginners should not be afraid to buy inexpensive simple skis. If you plan to go on regular ski trips through the forest, even the most basic model will serve you for many years. If you decide in the future to improve your skill level and buy yourself a racing model, then ordinary skis will be useful for the opening and closing of the ski season, when the quality of the snow-covered roads does not allow the use of expensive equipment.

How to choose skis for children?

Modern models of children's skis are made mainly of plastic, so they are almost independent of weather conditions and are more durable. The sliding properties of the plastic are so good that there can be special notches on the bottom surface that prevent sliding back, left and right. There are several factors to consider when purchasing children's cross-country skis.

Ski length:

1. Children from 3 to 6 years old need shorter models with a length slightly larger than the child’s height. Long skis can be difficult to turn.
2. Older children should choose skis according to the principle: height + 15-20 cm.
3. Universal or classic models are suitable for teenagers. It’s too early to buy special skate skis.

Remember: you should never buy skis for your child to grow into!

Ski bindings come in hard, soft and semi-rigid types. Children under six years old are suitable for models with a soft or semi-rigid option, allowing them to wear everyday boots or boots. After 6 years, an adult version in the form of a rigid mount is suitable. Please note that children grow very quickly, so ski boots will last no more than 1-2 seasons.

In addition to the fact that when skiing your child will harden the body and strengthen the heart muscle, you will also be able to spend more time with him and get a joint lesson. If you and your child take regular walks, then it is better to purchase your own skis rather than rent them. But before you go shopping, you should familiarize yourself with some tips on how to choose the right cross-country skis for your child.

Let's start with the fact that the range now offered is huge. Models come in plastic, semi-plastic and wooden. For the first training, skis of plastic or wooden models with special notches to prevent slipping are best suited. At the same time, you need to know that the gliding of wooden skis depends on the weather. At temperatures around 0 C and wet snow, snow will stick to these products, thereby making movement difficult. There are special ointments for regulating slip, which are selected taking into account the air temperature.

The disadvantage of wooden skis is their fragility. And since children often fall during training, their ends often break off, and sometimes they even break in half. Therefore, give preference to plastic models, which are an achievement in the ski industry. Just for the first training sessions, be sure to make sure that the skis have notches, since plastic skis are very slippery. And if you drive down, they will slide in all directions (forward, backward and sideways too).

It is best to buy skis with bindings installed and boots already included. In this case, you can immediately evaluate how firmly the boots hold. If your child already has a ride, then buy products with a small number of notches. In this case, the glide will be better. And don’t neglect special ointments. One ointment is applied to the tips of the skis for glide, and the other is applied under the binding for retention.

The length of the product must correspond to height + 15-20 cm. If the child is not yet six years old, then the skis should be slightly taller than his height. It will be easier for the child to cope with such models when learning. Children should not take ski poles, since it is quite difficult for them to control both poles and skis at the same time. Let's first learn to slide without support, and after that you can use poles. Their height should be up to the armpits.

For teenagers, skis are selected according to their running style. If the stroke is skating, then they should be shorter (height + 10 cm), such products are usually called “skating”. For this style, the poles must be longer than usual, that is, above the shoulder. If your skiing style is classic, then you need long skis with notches on the sliding surface. And the sticks are ordinary - up to the armpits. Or you can buy universal models, their length is between both types. For poles, the main components are strength, lightness and rigidity. But such an ideal combination is found only in expensive models. When buying poles, pay attention to the support; it should not be small and the size of the poles should not be longer than necessary.