Where to Buy
- Whitewater Ski Team Ski Swap: Usually held 1st Sunday in November
- Facebook: Whitewater Ski Team Members Group Page
- Nelson: Village Ski Hut
- Online: Fernie Alpine Ski Team
- Online: Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Online: SkiCatalogue.com
- Online: Race-Werks
- Online: Race Place
- Online: Reliable Racing
- Online: Skiis and Biikes
Entry Level (9 years old and younger)
- Skis of appropriate length. Race skis aren’t necessary and twin tips seem to be the all-around Nelson young ripper ski of choice.
- Boots that fit properly. Young skiers are happier and ski longer with boots that fit well.
- Ski poles of correct length.
- Ski helmets are mandatory with a hard shell covering of the ears.
Provincial Racing
There are sizing charts below too!
Please discuss details with your age specific head coach. This list sets out guidelines but do not let it deter you! You can wait until U14 to get GS skis and poles if you prefer.
- Ski Race Helmet –FIS approved No Exceptions! – See photo with FIS sticker (must have hard covered ears and screw holes for chin guard). Non FIS, and slalom helmets can be used in Slalom but with chin guard.
- Removable chin guard (Chin guard for Sl only, not permitted in GS training and racing as can cause neck injury)
- Speed suit
- Zip off warm up pants or shorts (for use at races and training over suit)
- Shin protection
- Back Protection for Speed Training and Racing. U14 and up: GS and Speed Events back protection mandatory starting in 2018/19 season!!!!
- Pole guards
- Slalom poles (straight) with guards and GS poles (or regular poles without guards), also powder poles with bigger baskets recommended.
- Slalom skis –see sizing chart below
- Giant slalom skis (a nice to have but not required until U14)
- Powder skis! Same length as GS skis!
- Performance 4 buckle boots. Approximate Stiffness: 70 maximum for U12, 90 for U14, 100-120 for U16, 130 and up for U18
- Boot bag to carry all this gear every day.
- Athletes own Screw driver for removing chin guard etc.
- Basic ski tuning gear including: Scraper, File guide and file, Diamond Stone, Waxes, Brake elastics, Brushes. One nylon, one nylon brass combo, Iron, Folding table, Vices, Tool box for gear while travelling
- Mouth guard (like hockey players wear – for concussion prevention)
- Ski pass on lanyard (around neck so that racers can strip down into their suits and be wearing their pass)
- Running shoes for Dryland and for warm up at away races.
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection
Basic Ski Sizing
| Boys | Slalom (cm) | Giant Slalom (cm) |
| U12 (10, 11yrs) | 135 | 155 |
| U14 (12, 13yrs) | 145-155 | 175-185 |
| U16 (14, 15yrs) |
155 FIS womens flex (stiff), or if softer (masters) then up to 165 |
180-188 25m Radius |
| U18, U21, Masters | 165 FIS mens flex | Mens FIS length and radius |
| Girls | Slalom (cm) | Giant Slalom (cm) |
| U12 (10, 11yrs) | 130 | 150 |
| U14 (12, 13yrs) | 140-150 | 165-180 |
| U16 (14, 15yrs) |
150 womens flex (stiff) or 155 if softer (masters) flex |
175-185 23-25m radius |
| U18, U21, Masters |
155 FIS |
Womens FIS length and radius |
Ski Boot Flex
All boots should be a 4 buckle with powerstrap. There is no standard flex system so there this will vary between brands. In order to see if there is enough flex the athlete should be able to have some back and forth movement and be able to use the ankles while jumping vertically.
| Approx. Flex | |
| U12 (10, 11yrs) | 70 |
| U14 (12, 13yrs) | 70-100 |
| U16 (14, 15yrs) | 100-130 |
| U18, U21, Masters | 120 and up |
Ski Pole Sizing
