Junior Ski Gear: 2001/2002

An Overview by Manufacturer

For What's New in 2002/2003 CLICK HERE

Dynastar: The Snap, a ski for aspiring new schoolers and potential trick skiers, allows youngsters to go from the slope to the halfpipe to the terrain park. The Assault is a high-performance mogul ski. Team Course is Dynastar's junior giant slalom race ski, while Team SX is a light, versatile performance and multi-event ski for intermediate and advanced young skiers who want performance carving. The Concept Junior is a light, maneuverable ski for all terrain, adventure and tricks. For the youngest skiers, Dynastar has the Team Speed/ Pirat, a shaped ski for kids learning to pilot, carve and play.

Over the years, Lange boots has consistently carried young skiers to the medals in all levels of competition, and this year's junior Lange boots follow that tradition. The L 10 Race Team is for junior racers; the L 10 Team and Banshee Team for experts; the L 8 and L Team for sport skiers and beginners; while the T Kid is strictly for beginners.

Look's Junior Full-Drive Toe binding brings adult technology to junior skiers.

Fischer: Fischer adds two new models for juniors this year bringing its stable to seven kids' models. The Worldcup SC is a racing ski available in aggressive sidecuts to accommodate new racing techniques. The Race Aircarbon Jr. is a multi-discipline model for young racers. Freeride Jr. has an aggressive sidecut and comes in longer lengths. The twintip Sceneo Jr. covers young, energetic skiers who want to doit all from carve on the groomed to catch air in the park. Fischer enters the binding market this winter with two junior models.

K2: The MinEnemy (pronounced mini-me) functions both as a beginner twintip ski and a wider-waisted, all-mountain ski for junior rippers. The Stinger has everything a new skier needs, easy turning, durability and super-cool graphics.

Nordica: Nordica presents three skis for junior riders this winter. The K11 GSL is a twintip, giant slalom-style ski for kids who want to jump into the terrain park after racing. The K9 RCJ is for developing athletes and freeriders. And for beginners and intermediates, the Super N is a short, lightweight ski with an exaggerated sidecut, for kids 8 to 15.

This year, Nordica introduces a junior version of the Dobermann racing boot. Additionally, Nordica has the K TJ, K SJ, GP TJ, Super NO2 and Super NO1 for young racers to beginners. Nordica's two bindings for juniors are the K11 GSL for racers and the Super N for intermediates and beginners.

Rossignol: Rossi covers the gamut from freeriding to racing to learning when it comes to skis for youngsters. The Power 9 Pro is a multi-event ski for junior racers while the Power 9 Racing is a soft racing ski with ample sidecut that is designed to be skied in shorter lengths. The T-Power Viper X Jr. is a carving ski, while the Bandit J is shaped for all-mountain fun sporting a new sidecut and turned up tail. The Rebel Jr. is perfect for the first-time skier. The sidecuts change by size to help youngsters develop quickly. Read our 2001 Rippin Rider previews here
And our 2001 Rippin Rider reviews here.

In boots, Rossignol offers a complete line for all junior ranges. The Race 1 Junior, Comp Pro, Comp J4, Comp J3 and Comp J2 are for junior racers. Other models include the Freeride Jr., R28 and R18, with a memory buckle that once adjusted can be operated easily by kids unaided.

Rossignol's junior bindings are built with high-tech adult features. The Axial 100 Race, Equipe 80 X-Plate, Equipe 80 and Comp J lead the company's binding products.

Salomon: Salomon fills the rack to accommodate leisure and performance junior skiers. The X Scream Grom and X Scream Team are for youngsters who want to ride all over the mountain. The Crossmax 10 Team is inspired by skiercross competitions. The Teneighty T is a junior twintip model for kids who want to learn freestyle tricks. It offers stability and control in the pipe and park as well as on the trails. For junior racers, Salomon has soft-flexing skis that allow stability and edge grip at speed. The multi-event Equipe T is for the young racer who needs one pair of skis for all events. For stronger junior racers looking for a ski for both slalom and giant slalom, there is the Equipe 10 T 2V and the Equipe 10 T 3V.

With the addition of the Performa T2 and Performa T3, Salomon has a complete line of junior boots. In performance boots, the Performa GT is a soft-flexing performance boot for mid-sized kids. Kids' feet stay dry and warm with Salomon's Thermic liners.

Using the same Spheric protection technology offered in adult bindings, Salomon has junior bindings for all weights and abilities. Starting with the 305 Grom, which is offered with Classic or Spheric designs, and the 608, with a carving plate and the option of Spheric, Salomon's bindings can cover all boots and all junior skiers. For the performance junior, there is the S910 T either flat or lifted. Also, the S910 is available with the Poweraxe Sport plate for enhanced performance with shaped skis.

In skiboards, Salomon offers the Grom Snowblade, a 62-centimeter-long model that fits both junior and adult boots. The shape, weight and wide waist lets the blade skid, but it also gives a natural feel and helps teach kids how to carve no matter how fast or slow they are moving.

Tecnica: Tecnica offers boots for all kids-from those just learning to ski up to junior racers. Each model addresses the junior skier's needs at different performance levels. The Racer, a rear-entry boot for first timers, offers easy entry and exit with a single-ratchet closure. Moving up, the TJR and TJR Super are for beginners and intermediates. The Rider X and the Rider Super are designed specifically for the junior anatomy. For the high-end, junior racer Tecnica produces the Icon J.

Völkl: Völkl brings its energY technology to its junior racing models and adds a junior twintip ski to its line-up. The P50 F1 energY Jr. is a giant slalom ski that is light for easy maneuvering and has edge grip, as well as stability. The P50 SL Carver energY Jr. is a slalom carver for junior racers. Carver F5 Jr. is built for junior intermediates. The twintip V Jr. is wide-waisted to make it easy to balance while learning tricks; a soft flex makes it easy to ski all types of terrain. The Vertigo Jr. is an entry-level ski.

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