VIDEO Steve Lee Reviews – This Week, Kids Skis

July 5th, 2011

kids at falls
Groms ripping at Falls Creek. Image:: Falls Creek

Equipment Reviews | Steve Lee

He’s Australia’s most decorated alpine ski racer, a man of tremendous snow knowledge and know-how. He is Steve Lee and this is Steve Lee Reviews, a weekly guide to all the ski equipment paraphernalia and how to find what’s best for you.

Some may say I am just a big kid, however I found the gear in this week’s blog just a touch beyond my means to test. The fact that my boots just don’t fit the din, skis would likely collapse and being seen on anything under a 150cm ski is just not really kosher for me.

So I threw it to the experts in segment, the kids. I have an affinity with the local kids of Falls, having grown up here myself. I just get a kick out of seeing the rat pack about town, watching pint size groms just rip the bag out of a nice line, race course, terrain park and so on. It’s just cool to watch, and they’re usually the envy of most grown ups, who quite often say out loud, wish I learned when I was that age.

The kids market is a huge one and there is plenty of gear to choose from. It also runs pretty much parallel with adult gear in terms of categories; There’s race, freeride, park, powder, all mountain, the full gamut to choose from. The most important thing for parents is trying to get as much value for money as possible when kids outgrow gear so fast. Because of this there is a really good second hand/hand-me -down market out there. Suss out your local ski shops, race clubs or ski friends for gear, sales and some really good bargains to hunt down. I have not put in a RRP for these kids skis – check with your retailer and underground market place.

The videos this week are classic, a bunch of local kids who’s parents run business on the hill, talking about their gear. Love it.

Ski: Fisher.
Category: Kids all mountain
Tested by: Sophie
Strengths: Fast and fashion conscious
Weaknesses: What does that word mean?
Most suitable for: Strong child skier

Ski: Head race
Category: Junior race ski
Tested by:* Jack
Strengths: Let me go fast
Most suitable for: Child racer

Ski: K2 Bad apple
Category: All mountain and park
Tested by: Fred
Overall impression: Comrehensive discussion on the video
Strengths: Easy to spin, good on the boxes and fresh snow.
Weaknesses: Need a second pair.

Ski: Atomic race and K2 free ski
Category: Race and Freeski
Tested by: Finn
Strengths: Race skis are good cause I don’t crash on them. Free skis are easy to spin, good on the boxes and fresh snow.
Weaknesses: None mentioned

Ski: Salomon twintip, Salomon carver
Category: Park and all mountain skis
Tested by: Cody and Hayden
Strengths: Good for 180’s and carving
Weaknesses: just need to get the second 180 sorted.

 

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