Introduction

Are you ready to take your skiing skills to the next level? If you find your kid jumping off everything you might want to harness that and get them in the terrain park, and having the right gear is crucial. In this post, we'll explore the essential equipment your kid will need for park skiing, including skis, boots, poles, and other gear. Whether they are a beginner or a seasoned freeskier, this guide will help you gear up for an unforgettable session in the park.

1. Park Skis: The Foundation of Your Ride
Park skiing requires skis designed specifically for freeskiing whether that's hitting jumps, or sliding rails. Look for skis that offer a mix of stability, maneuverability, and durability. Twin-tip skis are essential as they allow you to ski both forwards and switch. They have a turned-up tail which helps with maneuverability. Consider the ski length based on your skill level, preferred terrain, and body size. We recommend that the ski length is between their nose to just above their head. Size widths between 85-106.

Pro Tip:

• To make park skis last longer put a 3-degree base bevel or lightly detune their edges
• For pipe get the same pair of skis but keep edges sharp and use them for backup skis or next season's slope skis
• Use your old skis for dry slope and summer training

2. Park Boots: Comfort and Control
The right pair of ski boots are the most critical piece of their equipment. First look for boots that fit your feet, they should be able to last all day without them hurting. Don't be fooled by thinking Full Tilts or other 3-piece boots are the only option. Every boot brand makes a great boot that will work in the park. Look for boots with a softer flex, as they allow for greater maneuverability but are stiff enough to support you when you go to the Gucci Plateau. Make sure they provide a snug fit and ample ankle support to minimize the risk of ankle injury.

Pro Tip:

• Get boots with replaceable toes and heels
• ALWAYS get a new footbed and highly recommend a custom footbed whenever possible
• Always buckle your boots when not using
• Shin Bang is caused by TWO things boots being too big or loose or landing back seat

3. Helmet: Safety First
Protect your head with a certified ski helmet. It's a must-have to prevent serious head injuries during high-impact tricks. Helmets are designed for two types of impacts, multiple and single. Multi-impact helmets are designed to take multiple impacts before the need to get a new one. Single-impact helmets are made to be replaced every time you take a fall or drop your helmet.

Pro Tip:

• Get your athlete a new helmet more often than you think

4. Bindings: Mute's Worst Friend
Bindings are a critical component of your athlete's skis but they do not have to be complicated. There are very few options Look Pivots, Marker Jesters, Griffons or Squire, and Tyrolia Attacks. They do hold you in place while skiing, so it's important to make sure they're properly adjusted before heading out.

Pro Tip:

• Get a pair of Pivots and they could last your 30+ years
• Go to Thrift Stores and search for skis with Pivots on them

5. Poles: Propel Your Tricks and Turns
While poles aren't as crucial in park skiing as they are in traditional skiing, they can still be useful in certain situations, especially powder skiing. There is no magic type or length of park poles, it is what works best for you. We tend to see shorter poles used when starting off or learning new tricks These poles are designed to be durable and maneuverable, allowing for maximum efficiency during tricks and turns.

Pro Tip:

• Goggles: Choose goggles that provide good visibility, anti-fog properties, and UV protection. They will shield your eyes from snow, wind, and harmful sun rays.
• Have two pairs of goggles with changeable lenses. One set up with clear lenses and one set up with rose lense.
• Mouth Guard: Have to protect that money maker. Plus its proven to be one of the biggest prevention's for TBI's.
• Boot Dryer: Boots smell makes you want to pass out. They start complaining about their boots hurting halfway though the season. We recommend getting a boot dryer and drying their boots out EVERY night. Get one with a USB cable and warm those boots up on your way to the mountain
• Wax and Tuning Tools: Keep your skis in top shape by regularly waxing, deburring, and tuning them. This ensures you will be able to clear the jumps.
• Make friends with racers they know their wax

Conclusion
Park skiing is all about pushing your limits, trying new tricks, and experiencing the thrill of freeskiing. With the right gear – from skis and boots to poles and additional equipment – you'll be fully prepared to progress. Remember to prioritize safety by wearing a helmet and any necessary protective gear. Now, fuel your passion for park skiing and prepare for an awesome season on the slopes!

Equipment

SKIS: Twin-tip skis are required for any Freeski program as we ski both forwards and backwards (known in the freeski world as skiing ‘switch’). Park specific skis are balanced and weighted in a way that allows the ski to feel balanced in the air, while spinning, and on rails. It is nice to have the edges underfoot detuned and dulled for athletes planning on jibing and sliding rails. Ski lengths should be between the mouth and forehead height. A narrower park width is also recommended as it will make for more efficient spinning and jumping, aiming for between 80-96cm underfoot. Largely because our athletes weigh less due to their age, friction plays a greater role, hence waxing and maintaining your athletes skis throughout the season is important and highly recommended. If you have any questions on skis or purchasing skis, please contact the coaching staff.

BINDINGS: Twin-tip skis are required for any freeride program as we ski both forwards and backwards (known in the freeride world as skiing ‘switch’). Park specific skis are balanced and weighted in a way that allows the ski to feel balanced in the air, while spinning, and on rails. It is nice to have the edges underfoot detuned and dulled for athletes planning on jibing and sliding rails. Ski lengths should be between the mouth and forehead height. A narrower park width is also recommended as it will make for more efficient spinning and jumping, aiming for between 80-96cm underfoot. Largely because our athletes weigh less due to their age, friction plays a greater role, hence waxing and maintaining your athletes skis throughout the season is important and highly recommended. If you have any questions on skis or purchasing skis, please contact the coaching staff.

BOOTS: A soft flexing boot is recommended for athletes and will be more effective than a stiff boot for park skiing. To determine if a boot is soft enough for your child, they should be able to aggressively flex the boot. A boot that’s too stiff or on the stiffer side is no fun to jump in as it leads to ‘shin bang’. As far as fit, boots should fit properly, tight but not uncomfortable. Remember the boots might feel too tight at first but will break in within a couple of ski days. Buying boots oversized is counter productive for both performance and fit. Buy boots that fit properly and check with your coaches if you have any questions about your child’s equipment. It is recommended to buy a freestyle specific boot.

POLES: Poles are a necessary and fundamental part of freeride skiing, especially while riding off-piste. On CSAT Freeride we require poles when riding powder and recommend them in the park, but they are not required there. For off-piste skiing poles should be a proper length, placing the arm in a 90 - 110 degree bend, and / or making the forearm parallel to the ground when holding the pole. For riding in the park a shorter length pole is recommended. Adjustable poles are great for skiers who do both park and powder.
We do a variety of drills in which we ski without poles, but we will use poles most days.

GOGGLES: Goggles are one of the most important pieces of equipment any skier can own. Goggles can be expensive, but the expensive ones are not necessary. What is most important is that a skiers have clean lenses free of scratches and scuffs, and a variety of lenses for all light conditions they will be skiing in. A good lense kit includes 3 lenses; one for sunny weather, one for cloudy / foggy weather, and one for nighttime. If you can only get two lenses then pick one daytime lense that works in the sun and one nighttime lense. The nighttime lense will also work in the fog, just not as ideal as an actual low-light daytime lense. Goggles should also fit a child's face and helmet.

HELMETS: USSA approved Ski Helmets are mandatory for all training and racing. It is required that skiers wear their helmets at all training and competitions. No exceptions.

NIGHT SKIING: It is very important if you are training at night that you wear goggles with a clear lens. Dark lenses meant for daytime skiing are not effective at night and not only hinder training but make it dangerous when skiing. Night training is often colder, so remember to wear extra layers at night. All of these things will make for a more enjoyable skiing experience.