Common Questions & Answers
Equipment
Q: Does my child need a helmet and face guard?
A: The CMAC program has a mandatory helmet rule - helmets should have protective covering that in one piece covers head and ears in hard protective covering. Face guards on helmets or slalom protective headgear are optional for slalom. If your child is getting close to the gates a face guard is a good idea.
Q: Where do we buy ski equipment? Are there any equipment deals for my child? Are handme-downs OK?
A: Sturtevant’s is a great supporter of CMAC racers, look for their yearly racer discount day advertised on the web site and through blast mails. This page contains lots of additional links and contact. We will have gear swaps throughout the season so look for announcments on the site and in email. We also encourage hand me downs providing they are still in good condition. Equipment is forever changing hands at CMAC, check the “for sale” portion of this page on the right!
Q: How many times can you move bindings?
A: The more you move bindings the weaker the ski becomes, certainly not more than twice. You can always try it but the ski is likely to break.
Q: How long should skis be?
A: That is hard to say as brands differ, it is determined on the measurements of the ski. We do recommend for mitey-mites that you go with a general junior race ski that will work for both slalom and giant slalom.
Q: How many pairs of skis should a kid have?
A: For J5 and J6 age racers, one good pair is usually fine. As racers approach the J4 level, a pair of skis for slalom and a pair for giant slalom is the norm, but not required.
Q: How do you know when a kid needs new skis?
A: When the bases and edges are beyond tuning or when the child outgrows the pair they have. If you are not sure ask your child’s coach for their opinion. Look to see what other kids are skiing on, or ask your tuning shop.
Q: Can you tune skis yourself? Are there any classes? Where do you buy wax etc.?
A: Yes you can tune your kid’s skis yourself and classes are given by World Cup Skier Services. The classes are excellent and definitely worth attending if you plan to tune your own skis.
Q: How long should poles be?
A: In the past it was recommended that your elbow be at 90° when your pole is in the snow. Now a little longer is regarded as better.
Q: Does my child need special poles, pole guards, GS poles, etc.?
A: They don’t need guards unless they are hitting the gates and they will let you know when they start hitting the gates. They don’t need GS poles.
CLOTHING
Q: Where do you buy the CMAC Karbon gear?
A: Lynne Bielaski is our Karbon gear contact. Lynne takes orders for Karbon Gear at the end of each season for the following year..
Q: Where do you by the racing suits?
A: You can order Spyder racing suits through Kelly McCann. Kelly places the CMAC order at the END of the ski season for next year’s suits. Race Place is another good place to order suits from using their web site.
Q: Are there any extra items we should have on hand?
A: Absolutely you should have extra gloves, a neck gator to protect your child from frostbite on very cold days and a set of dry clothing for wet days and accidents)
