The best skis for kids is always going to take a little research, especially when working with our little ones — we want to make sure it’s a perfect fit. In our opinion, shopping for our youth in regards to snow sports should take a few aspects into priority: safety, comfort, easy-to-ride, and lastly of course, the look of it all! Skiing can be an incredibly rewarding experience and starting them out young is always a great investment, which is why today we found the best skis for kids to help your shopping endeavors.
The best skis for kids
Here’s our list of the best skis for kids this year. Don’t forget to look into ski sizing to help choosing which will fit best (it goes by age as well as height, so try to plan ahead a year or two as well). Let us know in the comments if you have any questions!
Armada Bantam
We begin with the Armada Bantam, which are some of the best skis for kids you’ll find on the market for a few reasons. For one, these skis are a smooth ride for beginners and will help a novice pick up the sport in no time. The build is very durable and flexible allowing for a safe glide that will make any young rider comfortable out on the slopes. Additionally, these skis have a traditional camber, which grips the powder nicely but allows for smooth turns and easy riding. The price point on these skis is very reasonable for someone looking to learn the sport without breaking the bank. The symmetric design of the skis provides any rider with great balance making these skis some of the best skis for youth riders. Let your youth try these skis out and you wont be disappointed when heading out to the mountains — it gives us a nice ratio of decent price-point along build quality to make sure your little one learns optimally (and safely, of course).
K2 Shreditor
Up next are the K2 Shreditor skis, which are an excellent option for those looking for a versatile beginner set of skis. K2 makes their first appearance of many in this guide (for a reason, they’ve really focused on children’s snow gear lately). These elegant yet flashy skis will fit that little personality well. These skis are mid-wide meaning they will allow for better riding in all terrain and making them a dynamic option for a rider that wants to carve through powder but also ride on more packed runs. Although this will attend for a more experienced rider, it’ll be a good investment for the future in case they really pick up the sport. These skis have been in high demand for new riders due to the ease of learning the sport riding with their smooth design. When searching for the best skis for kids you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option than the Shreditor — true to their name any kid learning to ski with this set will be a shredder in no time.
K2 Indy
The K2 Indy skis brings us another option by K2, and these are particularly a great set of skis for any new rider who is trying to learn how to carve. They have a great design and overall build that allows for young beginners to learn at their own pace. The skis are flexible and will hold up in any conditions whether it’s powder, ice, park riding or rollers — and if you can tell by the picutre, are a bit wider with a curve shape to them to help with stability when riding to help prevent falls (it will still happen, of course, but any help is great). The price on these skis is lower than others but still within the middle price-point, making them a great choice and some of the best skis for youth riders. Flying down the mountain will never be easier than it is with the K2 Indy.
Volkl LTM Jr.
To switch it up a bit, the Volkl LTM Jr. skis are a great choice for children skiers looking for some more aerodynamics. Similar to the much-loved adult version of these skis (pretty popular among the ski community), any youth rider will love the feel of these, especially for anyone who is new to the sport a simple transition from beginner to expert. Learning to ski can be a difficult and daunting undertaking especially for children. These skis are an excellent, balanced option that will make any level rider feel comfortable when cruising down the slopes. Their light-weight design are great for little ones and this weight is easily transferred due to the sleek build of these skis, which will allow any new rider to make turns with ease. The grip they provide on the snow will make you feel like you’re the one in control and we would highly recommend these as some of the best skis for youth skiers.
K2 Luv Bug
Next up we have the K2 Luv Bug skis. What’s not to love with these beautiful skis? Aside from the beautiful look, these comfortable skis are great for the little lady riders out there and will keep them comfortable when out on the slopes for hours learning the sport. Comfort was paramount with this set of skis and there flexible, durable design makes learning to ski easier than you would expect. Turning is simple at low speeds due to the shorter length of these skis. The relaxed but snug fit also make for some of the best skis for children. The best skis for kids come in all shapes and various designs but you’d be hard pressed to find a better model than the Luv Bug if it fits your budget. The price point on these skis is slightly higher than other beginner skis but these skis were made to last and will easily survive the test of learning the sport, and it may well worth going above the typical price-tags to make sure your kiddo feels comfortable out there.
Blizzard Pearl Jr.
The Blizzard Pearl Jr. will make you excited for that next blizzard that dumps powder on the mountain. These lightweight skis will make any young child feel like they know what they’re doing when they get out on the mountains. The aluminum tips and tails of these skis will protect them when riding in all sort of terrain and the comfortable and simple binding system on these skis makes taking them off and putting them on easier than other options (a process you’ll see will take some time to learn!). The design of these skis allows them to distribute ones weight easily so that they grip the mountain for solid control through turns. Young one will feel comfortable and in command when riding with these skis. Not only are these some of the best skis for kids but the price on these skis is better than any other beginner skis of this quality.
Volkl Chica
The Volkl Chica skis are yet another excellent set of trail skis for a beginner to skiing. Not only do they allow for great control but they will also provide incredible comfort. Any young ladies who are looking to take their skiing to the next level will find these skis make the transition from beginner to intermediate flawless. They are narrower than many beginners skis, which make them decent for starters but more geared towards advanced beginners happy with the feel. They allow for speed on groomers but also incredible control when carving down the slopes. The composite core of these skis is one of their best qualities and will allow them to outlast many comparable options (although there’s always a chance of outgrowing them quickly). The price for these skis is on the lower end but the quality you’ll get for the price is unparalleled. This set of skis is by far one of the best skis for children and will allow children from beginner to intermediate levels to ride with ease.
Salomon Q Max Jr.
The next set of skis, the Salomon Q-Max Jr., are another excellent choice and make for some of the best skis for children if the previously listed models weren’t peaking your interest. Salomon is one of our favorite brands and although they aren’t too big in the kids subcategory of snow gear, this particular model is well-worth looking at. The composite core of these skis and the soft flex is very forgiving, which beginners will love. They are light-weight and have a soft grip under the bindings making turns much easier than others. The rocker design of these skis will allow even the most novice of skiers feel like they can turn and carve with ease. The traditional edges on these skis will provide incredible edge control keeping you on your feet and off your bum. The price of these skis is very reasonable when compared to similar models and they are very resistant to the wear and tear that many beginner skiers might put them through. We would recommend these skis when looking for a pair of children’s skis and they are without a doubt one of the best skis for youth skiers.
K2 Missy
This beautiful pair of skis will make any young lady proud to wear them as she learns the sport. K2 brings us a sweet flowery design for an eye-catching ride and will make any little girl’s eyes light up. This high-performing model will soon have your young lady cruising past you as she moves from green circles to blue squares and on up to black diamonds. The K2 Missy skis are a versatile set of skis built for beginner riders as well as more advanced little skiers. Their durable design is long-lasting and will allow a beginning skier to ride them for years as they progress from a novice to an expert level. These symmetrical skis are easy on the knees and very forgiving under any condition. The price is right on par with most beginner skis but the Missy’s are a steal here. These skis are certainly some of the best skis for youth women riders and any parent will be proud to watch their child’s skills develop as they ride using these beauties.
K2 Poacher Jr.
These freestyle skis are some of the best skis for children and one of the safest options when choosing a beginner set of skis for your child. Any snow conditions will be handled easily with the K2 Poacher Jr.‘s sleek design that even a more advanced child would feel comfortable in. Turning is effortless, cruising is a breeze, and any child will be begging to get out on the mountain once they strap on these excellent skis. Although the price point on these skis is higher than most beginner skis, the Poacher Jrs are undeniably one of the better options for children learning the sport. The durable design of these skis will prevent wear and chipping when riding through any type of terrain. You will get what you pay for when choosing this option and they are indisputably one of the best skis for children. Don’t be surprised when your child surpasses your skills when learning on this excellent set of skis! It tops off our list to end strong.
