Sometimes in an effort to be economical and get an extra year out of the gear we make compromises. Your kid will pay the price. When selecting gear for myself I always justify paying more by rationalizing that I will get more enjoyment out of the sport and be more active.

Cross-country skiing is a pretty in-expensive family sport. Compare it to hockey and it is dirt cheap:

• Unlimited X-C skiing for the family... $400.
• Kids complete ski set new... $150.

Here are some tips about buying gear. Don't get too bogged down with the details as the people at a good cross-country ski shop can help you with everything. In Vancouver, we have Siggi's in Kitsilano who specializes in cross-country; Cypress Mountain Sports in West Vancouver and Mountain Equipment Co-op who both have some cross-country gear for kids.

Fitting boots

Expect to get one season out of a pair of skis boots - the boots will last 5 or 6 years but unfortunately kid's feet grow like... kid's feet. A method for fitting boots I use is to have my son slide his foot to the front of the boot so his toe is just touching - I should be able to easily get 2 fingers between his heal and the back of the boot. That will allow for enough growing to last the season. Remember you get almost full price for the boots on exchange, as 1 season's wear and tear is almost un-noticeable. Trying to stretch 2 seasons of growth out of one pair of boots is a bad plan. For the first season your child will have to deal with these massive, sloppy boots. Their technique will suffer no matter how many socks you put on.

Boot/Binding Compatibility

Not all boots fit all bindings. Salomon boots fit only Salomon bindings and there are different generations of Salomon bindings too. So if you find a pair of skis that are a great deal make sure you can match them to a boot.

Bindings

3 pin bindings are inexpensive but a little more difficult to put on. A 3-pin binding set will have a left and right binding. The wings style of this binding is a little cumbersome in tracks as the tips of the wings drag on the side of the track. Do your child a favour and don't buy 3 pin bindings. There are several basic types of newer bindings; New Nordic Norm (NNN), which is the older New Nordic Norm and NNNII, which is the newer New Nordic Norm. Confused??? Salomon bindings have an older version and a newer version too. Old boots aren't compatible with newer bindings. Talk about your designed obsolescence!

Skis

For our hilly ski conditions at Cypress, ski length should be on the shorter side rather that longer. Typically, classic skis are between the top of the head to an outstreched hand in length. The weight of the skier and the camber of the ski are also important - it is best to have an expert at the ski shop determine the right fit. Once you have determined the ski is the right length check what type of grip is provided on the base. If the skis is a waxless skis and you are unsure of waxing it may be more hassle than it is worth, especially on Cypress where snow conditions change by the hour. We recommend a waxless ski so that your kid won't have any problem climbing up-hill. If the skis are old the grip (steps, scales, bear claw) area may be worn out and the skis will be frustrating to use as your child will be slipping all the time.

Poles

Generally I use the rule of thumb that if a kid is using poles for support or they are getting in the way they are more a hinderance than a help. When kids of any age are starting the poles will get in the way as they usually don't have the coordination. But they will soon develop the coordination and will benefit from the poles.
Length: armpit to shoulder height.
Note: straps should be adjustable in length so as to provide good fit. The proper method is to allow the strap to dangle from the wrist, then grab downward around the strap and the pole grip together. This creates a nice platform from which you can push and release.

Skate Gear

If your kid is talking about it then it is time to start thinking about it. Lets face it, cross-country skiing is a bit of a hard sell for kids. Kids can't rationalize the rewards of grunting up a big hill like most adults can. To them it is just plain hard work especially if they are tired. If graduating into skate skiing keeps them excited about the sport then why not give them the opportunity to try it. Unfortunately there is not that much used skate gear around for kids, so you may have to buy new or rent the first few times. The club has some skate gear for kids wanting to try skate skiing and the program introduces skating at the Orange/Red badge levels.

Skate Boots

Skate boots are higher cut and have a stiffer sole. You can get a Combi (combination) boot that is high cut and allows enough flexibility in the toe. I was amazed at the increased ability my son gained when he switched to this style of boot. The added support did wonders for his skiing.

Summary

Remember, good friends and good gear make any sporting experience more fun and your child will progress quicker. You don't have to buy high-end when they are starting out but good fit and grip are important. And if your kid is showing signs of wanting to ski more agressively, don't hesitate in getting better quality gear - there is a limited supply so you will always get your money back on a trade-in or sale (try our Message Board or ski-swap in November).