Giordana Specoo

Crank out those frequent flyer miles this season with this lively and highly versatile S1 Howell twin-tip ski from Rossignol. It features a stiff mid section beneath the bindings with softer flexing tips at both ends. This allows you to load the tips and tails so you can spring up onto a rail or blast out and above the half pipe. Rossignol thinks that this design innovation (they call it a Rocking Chair Effect) also helps improve your balance, although your results can certainly vary. Rossignol reinforced this lightweight wood core ski with a Rossitop cap that makes the top surface more resistant to the sorts of moves that usually chip other ski decks. If you tend to stick to hardpack and you love to jib, the S1 Howell is your ideal choice for seasons to come.

Some kid's bindings are almost toy-like in construction, but Rossignol didn't cut corners when they designed their SAS Junior Ski binding with an 85-mm. wide brake bar. In fact, this binding includes components that allow you to swap out the plates to fit small adult boots--a feature that a lot of parents with growing teenagers will appreciate (just be sure to let your local ski binding shop do the mounting and fit modifications, okay?) While a lot of junior bindings minimize the features, the SAS Junior is fully loaded with a split toe piece that allows for easy release in all directions, potentially minimizing the injury risks in a twisting fall. The rugged, kid-friendly design and the incremental adjustment features make the Rossignol SAS Junior a favorite among our staff members. In soft snow also you'll find that it's easy to pull up on the heel piece for simple reentry--a characteristic that other competitor bindings can't match.

If you cruise the blues and rip hardpack with abandon, Rossignol's Zenith Oversize ski with integrated Axium 100 binding is the total package for your season. Rossignol's Oversize concept embraces two ski constructions: A large sidecut for carving and a wide waist for freeride. Of course, if you look at the rather narrow 70-mm. waist, it's pretty obvious that this version of the Zenith Oversize isn't exactly for hours of powder floatation in untracked snow. This special all-mountain ski is specifically designed for intermediate and advanced skiers who tend to stick to groomed and hardpack runs through at least 90% of their ski day. That's why it's optimized with features oriented toward carving. To enhance the edging power, the Zenith Oversize ski has Rossignol's H Structure--a special plate shaped like an "H" near your ski boot that helps you direct power from your feet to the front and rear edges on the skis. The H Structure gives the Zenith Oversize considerably more power transmission than traditional skis, so you drive into the initiation of each turn and blast through the exits. To balance this power flow, the Zenith Oversize also has special Visco inserts that help dampen vibrations at speed. If you're looking for extra power in carving groomed runs and stretching your ski season far into spring or even the summer months, the Rossignol Zenith Oversize with integrated Axium 100 binding will take you there.

Some all-mountain skis muddle their carving potential for short radius turns, but Rossignol's Zenith 10 Oversize ski with integrated Axial 2 120 binding is a precision carving design with a moderate amount of width for backcountry floatation. Rossignol designed the Zenith 10 Oversize for all-mountain skiers who like to mix short and long radius turns without the extra effort or compromises found in other skis. It features Rossignol's proven Dualtec construction, a design that combines cap and vertical sidewall construction. This allows the sidewall material to adapt to the terrain with improved edging and energy transmission, so you're more likely to carve instead of skid (unless you're an intentional skidder--and that's cool if you like to do that sort of stuff). To enhance the edging power, the Zenith 10 Oversize ski also has Rossignol's H Structure--a special plate shaped like an "H" near your ski boot that helps you direct power from your feet to the front and rear edges on the skis. The H Structure gives the Zenith 10 Oversize considerably more power transmission than traditional skis, so you drive into the initiation of each turn and blast through the exits. To balance this power flow, the Zenith 10 Oversize also has special Visco inserts that help dampen vibrations at speed. While the Zenith 10 Oversize is an all-mountain ski and handles all conditions well, Rossignol tailored this model for skiers who typically spend 60% of their ski day on the groomed runs and 40% in the untracked powder. If you like busting crud and blasting powder in greater proportions, consider checking out the other wider waist all-mountain offerings from Rossignol in their Phantom line.

The 66 North Kids' Sleipnir Cargo Ski Pants is an extremely comfortable sporty ski pants kids will love. Made of wind and waterproof 2 layer nylon this insulated ski pant offers side zippers for ease of boot adjustment and lots of pockets to store snacks, lunch money, and the much needed chapstick. These ski pants are sure to keep your kids warm and dry wether they are playing hard on the slopes or in the backyard.

The Lucky Bums Ski Trainer is the perfect ski harness for kids. Much more than a leash-only product, this patent pending, multifunctional, 3-in-1 ski trainer includes everything you need in one easy to use harness. The back handle is great for helping kids get up after a fall or helping them on the ski lift with one hand. The leash allows you to help the beginner skier control their speed and have fun on the slope at an early age. This is by far the best tool on the marketplace. Children learn ski turns relatively quickly but still may have trouble around the chairlift until they are physically larger. With the Ski Trainer once they are comfortable turning you can leave the leashes at home and still have a valuable tool with the Grip 'n Guide handle. Then, use the small pack to stow treats and dry gear. Plus, use the Harness handle to help teach your kids how to skate, rollerblade, ride a bike or any other balance related sport in the off-season.

A leader in ski binding design since 1927, Rottefella designed the NNN Dino Jr. Nordic Ski Binding just for kids. These bindings are easy to get into, easy for small hands to operate and the wider steering plate improves stability and aids in ski control.

Sparking a young kid?s interest in skiing means making winter a ton of fun and Karhu has just the ski at a great price. The Karhu Pioneer Jr. Widetrak Ski is just like the adult Pioneer just shorter. These wide, no Wax skis are the best tools to play in the snow. Like the Widetrak Series skis, the Pioneer Jr. is easier to maneuver, gives better grip and creates a more stable platform ? the perfect ski to get your kids begging for more.

The Lucky Bums Deluxe Handy Kids' Ski Harness trainer is the perfect ski trainer for kids. The back handle is great for helping kids get up after a fall or helping them on the ski lift with one hand. The leash allows you to help the beginner skier control their speed and have fun on the slope at an early age. This is by far the best tool on the marketplace. Use the Harness handle to help teach your kids how to skate, rollerblade or any other balance related sport in the off-season.

The Madshus Kids Butterfly MG Touring Ski. New for '09 is a traditional kids ski with well defined side cuts and a soft tip and tail. Now with an all new CAP construction and ABS reinforced tips and tails for increased durability. These models are easy to ski and attractive to young skiers with its appealing graphics. Now also with easy binding mount NIS1 plates!!

The Madshus Kids' Superkid MG Touring Ski Package includes a traditional kids' touring ski with well defined side cuts and a soft tip and tail. Now with an all new CAP construction and ABS reinforced tips and tails for increased durability. These models are easy to ski and attractive to young skiers with cool graphics. The Rottefella Dino Junior binding is a manual binding already mounted and balanced with an oversized in and out mechanism that makes it easy for any child to operate even with gloves or mittens on. This is a great kids cross country ski binding that will give kids a great platform for stability, control and flex for easy execution of the kick and glide stride. Take these skis anywhere from the backyard to powdery woods.The Madshus poles included have a soft, flexible grip and are sure to last.

The Smartwool Kids' Ski Racer Socks provide light cushioning without a lot of bulk, maintaining the proper boot fit that's crucial for all skiers young and old. Proper fit means more control, not to mention increased circulation and warmer feet. These over-the-calf ski socks feature a flat-knit toe seam, cool technical design, and Smartwool's moisture, temperature, and odor-controlling Merino wool blend.

The Madshus Kids Butterfly Jr. Nordic Ski Boot offers comfort and value as well as performance. With a soft toe box, torsion box tongue, lacing fingers and an insulated lace cover with a junior girl's last and graphics that match the Butterfly ski for a junior girl's Nordic package. This boot is compatible with the Rottefella Jr. NNN binding.

An unbeatable teaching tool, the Lucky Bums Ski Trainer Combo Kit includes the Lucky Bums Ski Trainer Harness and Lucky Bums Tip Clips. Much more than a leash-only product, this patent pending, multifunctional, 3-in-1 ski trainer includes everything you need in one easy to use harness. The back handle is great for helping kids get up after a fall or helping them on the ski lift with one hand. The leash allows you to help the beginner skier control their speed and have fun on the slope at an early age. This is by far the best tool on the marketplace. Children learn ski turns relatively quickly but still may have trouble around the chairlift until they are physically larger. With the Ski Trainer once they are comfortable turning you can leave the leashes at home and still have a valuable tool with the Grip 'n Guide handle. Then, use the small pack to stow treats and dry gear. The Lucky Bums Tip Clip works to keep little one's downhill ski tips from getting too spread out or crossed. This tool can get your little skiers off to a great start. The simple quick release makes it super easy to unclip for getting on and off the lift. The Tip Clip is the quintessential confidence booster, as it makes kids more comfortable on their skis by helping them form a wedge to facilitate turns and control speed.