Equipment for your GPSC Athlete

If you have questions about equipment, please contact Coach Mo, any GPSC coach, or the ski professionals at a quality ski shop. We want you to purchase the right equipment the first time. 

Did you know that USSS members are eligible for discounts on equipment? Learn more about racer discounts. And check out the GPSC classifieds for gear deals. 

Guidelines for All Ages 

  • Plan ahead and purchase early for best availability 
  • Good fit incorporates athlete size, weight, strength and skill level. Poor fitting/quality equipment will negatively impact your child’s development. 
  • The most important piece of equipment is good-fitting boots. Review this short boot-fitting video. 
  • Your athlete will not focus or learn if they are wet, cold or uncomfortable! Buy gear that will keep your child warm and dry in all conditions. Most kid clothing is not as warm as adult versions. Plan for quality layers, wool socks, hand warmers, boot heaters etc. Rain gear (coat/pants/waterproof gloves) has become a must. 
  • Poles must fit properly throughout the season. Please do not buy poles that are longer for kids to “grow into” better to have an inexpensive pair of “just right” poles that you replace mid-season. While kids may like the popular “clickins” made by a certain brand, coaches prefer athletes to have true pole straps for various drills.
  • Low-light or clear lenses for night skiing and darker days are a must. Some families purchase cheap motocross goggles for visibility. 
  • Insulated water bottles are a must for all ages. Most skiers fail to adequately hydrate while skiing. 
  • LABEL LABEL LABEL – once you’ve gotten your gear LABEL everything clearly from pants to skis. 

Gatebuster/Black Diamond 

  • Helmet 
  • Goggles 
  • Front-buckle ski boots with 2-3 buckles (smaller children) or 3-4 buckles (larger children) that go no higher than mid-calf, and that the athlete can easily flex 
  • 1-pair of skis no longer than chin height 
  • Ski poles 

U10s 

  • Helmet with hard ears (soft ear flaps are not permitted for most races)
  • Goggles + low-light or clear lens for night training/darker days
  • Front-buckle ski boots with 2-3 buckles (smaller children) or 3-4 buckles (larger children) that go no higher than mid-calf, and that the athlete can easily flex
  • 1-pair of multi-event or SL race skis sandwich construction (where sidewall is visible as opposed to cap where top layer extends over sides to edge), sized around eyebrow height 
  • Ski poles – pole guards are not necessary and not permitted at most races 

U12s 

  • Helmet with hard ears (Note – your athlete will need a FIS approved helmet with a removable SL chin bar as a U14 – if you are purchasing a new helmet now, consider usability when they move to U14s) 
  • Goggles + low-light or clear lens for night training/darker days 
  • Front-buckle ski boots that the athlete can easily flex with 4 buckles (3-4 depends on athlete foot size) 
  • 1-pair of multievent or SL skis and a pair of GS skis. All skis should be sandwich construction and not cap skis at this age (sandwich is where sidewall is visible as opposed to cap where top layer extends over sides to edge). 

If going with 1 pair of skis, size about eyebrow to forehead height depending on size and skill ; if 2 pairs of skis, SL/multievent skis should be about eyebrow height, GS skis should measure about the top of the head. NOTE there is variation for weight and skill. Questions? Consult a coach. (1 quality pair of skis is preferable to two pairs of skis that have little life left in them!) 

  • Ski poles 
  • Optional for 1st year U12s, consider for second year U12s: Please see “other” section of U14+ equipment. We will do some tall pole SL training in the second half of the season, so please obtain that protection by mid-February. 

U14s 

All equipment must meet the minimum requirements set forth on page in the Alpine Competition Guide 

  • Helmet: FIS approved helmet (must have FIS marking visible). Chin bar for SL races and training. Most FIS approved helmets are set up to readily attach a SL chin bar. 
  • Goggles + low-light or clear lens for night training/darker days 
  • Boots: The most important piece of equipment. Specialty fitting is often necessary at this age. 
    • U14+ athletes are encouraged to invest in at least a basic footbed for their boots. Many will also benefit from custom fitting and alignment from an experienced boot fitter. Even if you plan to use the same boots from last year, take them in for a fit and alignment check before the season starts. 
  • Skis: 1 pair of SL skis and 1 pair of GS skis [17m radius minimum]. Depending on where we are racing Super G at the U14 level, we may have you look for a longer pair of GS skis to borrow for Super G (coach recommendation). Also consider a pair of rock sees for the trees/park. For appropriate ski length/type, reach out to a coach for a recommendation. 
  • Poles: one pair of poles are required at a minimum. DO NOT spend a lot of money on poles. Many find it convenient to have 2-pairs so that you don’t have to attach/remove your pole-guards for SL training. 
  • Other: Chin bar, pole guards (the kind that wrap all the way around the hand and form a C-shape), and shin guards are required for SL training and racing; back protection for GS and Super G is strongly recommended. 

U16s+ 

All equipment must meet the minimum requirements set forth in the Alpine Competition Guide.

    • Helmet: FIS approved helmet (must have FIS marking visible). Chin bar for SL races and training. Most FIS approved helmets are set up to readily attach a SL chin bar. 
    • Goggles + low-light or clear lens for night training/darker days 
    • Boots: U16+ should invest in at least a basic footbed. Many will also benefit from custom fitting and alignment from an experienced boot fitter. If your athlete’s foot has stopped growing this can be a particularly good investment. Even if you plan to use the same boots from last year, take them in for a fit and alignment check before the season starts. 
    • Skis: 1 pair of SL skis, 1 pair of GS skis and 1 pair of Super G skis [30m radius min] if you are racing speed. A pair of rock sees for the trees/park is also recommended. For appropriate ski length, reach out to a coach for a recommendation. 
  • Note to U18 athletes interested in skiing some FIS races - you there are additional ski requirements.
  • Poles: one pair of poles are required at a minimum. DO NOT spend a lot of money on poles. Most find it convenient to have 2-pairs so that you don’t have to attach/remove your pole-guards for SL training. 
  • Other: Chin bar, pole guards (the kind that wrap all the way around the hand and form a C-shape), and shin guards are required for SL training and racing; back protection for GS and Super G is strongly recommended.