Rent or buy? Time to gear up for Alaska winter sports

About this time each year, I haul winter gear from its designated closet and call my son to come downstairs.

"Here," I say, handing him a pair of ski boots, "Try these on, with skinny socks this year."

Growing up the middle child of three, I recall all too well the annual transfer of clothing, boots, skis, and poles to the next sibling in line. I remember boots that were too big ("Just wear three pairs of socks," my mom said), skis that were too long ("When I was a kid, skis had to be a foot over your head; you'll be fine," from dad) and the finest in 1970s hand-me-down fashion, courtesy of my older brother. Fortunately, I still managed to grow up into a respectable outdoor enthusiast who swore I would never, ever make my children use leftover stuff.

Then I had my own kids and had to rethink the expensive idea of new equipment every year and, more important, how to make sure what we scrounged from friends, bought at ski swaps or uncovered at neighborhood garage sales was safe and fitted properly.

Anyone who has tended children with poorly-fitting equipment on a ski hill knows a day spent in discomfort is a day wasted. As we approach skiing and riding season, and as my son now sports feet the size of Goliath, I am conflicted. New gear? The same gear? Is there a better way to invest in sports that grow more costly by the year?

I turned to Jodie McPhie, assistant director of Alyeska Resort's Mountain Learning Center and an authority on kids and their equipment. She is an advocate of renting ski or snowboard gear for children, especially during the formative first year or two on the slopes.

"We encourage rentals for a number of reasons, but the most critical is after a season of skiing or riding, families can decide whether they love the sport enough to purchase gear, or not," she wrote in an email.

Further, she continued, purchasing gear simply because it's a great bargain without fitting the child will only hurt progress, and in fact can lead to injuries that might keep a youngster from wanting to ski or ride anymore at all.

"Parents tend to purchase gear their child can grow into, and that makes it very difficult to learn efficiently or stay comfortable."

Which means, of course, kids are not happy on the hill or trail, leading to all sorts of potential calamities.

Fit equals function, and better function leads to kids more likely to continue enjoying Alaska's winter months. If you're looking to purchase equipment, consider the following tips:

Boots

For both alpine and Nordic skiing, make sure kids wear one pair of medium-weight socks (knee-high) with a wicking fabric. Cotton gets sweaty, wrinkles easily, and doesn't protect against the cold.

Boots should fit snugly, like a hug, with toes barely touching the inside front. It's often tough to get kids to articulate that fit, however, so consult a sales clerk at your local outdoor store for tips and assistance. Ask kids to walk around in boots, as the motion sometimes makes it easier to sense if toes get scrunched at the front. Fit is crucial, as boots that are too large make it very difficult to turn a ski, says McPhie. The foot turns inside the boot rather than the boot turning the ski or board, something that can prove painful later on.

Particularly in the case of alpine skis, have kids practice putting on and taking off boots at home to save a ton of time at the day lodge or parking lot later.

Skis

Alpine ski length depends upon age and skill level, but in general, when standing skis upright:

• Beginner skiers should have the tips between the chest and chin. When in doubt, go shorter.
• Intermediate skiers should have the tips between the chin and nose.
• Advanced skiers should have tips between the nose and forehead.

Bindings, set to release when your child falls, should be set according to weight, age, and ability. Do not attempt to adjust bindings unless you are savvy to the settings. Doing so can be dangerous; skis might not disengage from boots when kids fall, resulting in knee or leg injuries. Most ski stores will set bindings, but if you're not in a position to do that, visit a ski area rental shop or mountain ski shop for assistance. Hand-me-down skis are generally OK, McPhie told me, if they're not too old (she recommends no more than two years), meaning my skis from childhood would definitely not be appropriate for today's learner.

Nordic skis require a bit more research regarding size, as kids may be skiing classic or skate styles, and sizes may differ. REI has an excellent tutorial on Nordic ski options on its website.

Snowboards

Board length is dependent upon weight, so make sure your child is along for the purchase. Snowboard bindings are not set to release — in Alaska, riders are required to have a leash that attaches the board to the front leg. Consult a pro shop for tips and proper settings.

Helmets

There was a time when helmets were the exception rather than the rule, but today's alpine slopes are full of helmeted skiers and riders. Buy a helmet specifically designed for snowsports. These lids are comfortable, warm, and designed not to obstruct vision or hearing. Not sure which brand to buy? Visit Lids on Kids, a great resource for the basics of fitting helmets and the benefits for skiing and riding. Another option: On-mountain rental shops at most ski areas offer helmet rentals at a nominal price.

Rentals

Alaska has numerous rental options for kids' Nordic and alpine equipment.

• Play It Again Sports
• has stores in Anchorage, Wasilla and Fairbanks, and all offer season-long rentals of alpine equipment for kids and adults. Included in the $99 package are skis, boots, poles, fitting, maintenance, and, if kids happen to grow out of their gear during the season, Play It Again will refit for free. They also offer snowboard packages with the same benefits.

• Alyeska Resort has two rental shops; one located near the ticketing office at the Hotel Alyeska, and one in the Day Lodge. Both offer ski and snowboard fitting services, maintenance, and daily rentals, with a discount when a series of lessons are purchased. The resort also offers Nordic rentals at the hotel shop.

• Eaglecrest Ski Area
•  in Juneau has a huge rental inventory of skis and snowboards for such a small area, and also rents classic skis for those who prefer the Nordic trails nearby.

• REI stores in Anchorage and Fairbanks rent Nordic equipment and snowshoes —even winter camping gear if your family is feeling extra-adventurous. The store is also offering a series of community lectures on everything from the cross-country skiing basics to avalanche awareness. Check store websites for the calendar of events.

Erin Kirkland is author of Alaska On the Go: exploring the 49th state with children and publishes AKontheGO.com, an Alaska family travel and outdoor recreation resource. She lives in Anchorage.