Resources

Where do I Buy Gear?

Finding gear is always our biggest challenge. The take home is SECURE YOUR GEAR EARLY, DON'T WAIT!

The largest cross-country ski swap in WNY happens every fall at the Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School middle school on Quaker Meeting House Road in Honeoye Falls the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This is well worth the 1 hr trip if you need to get several people outfitted. Used and new gear is available as well as people that can give you the best advice of what to buy.

This year's sale is happening on November 19th.

Other Used Outfitters:

Buffalo Sports, 3840 McKinley Pkwy, Blasdell, NY, http://www.buffalosportsstore.com/

• They tend to have a random supply of used gear,  and we are told are phasing out their touring line. You can call ahead and ask what they have. They often have more adult gear than youth. Tell him you're from BYSN! You may still have to do some digging in their nordic bins. 

Local Outfitters: Most local ski shops will have a few sets of youth gear but call ahead with sizes you need. Many of them don't stock much youth gear at this point. 

Colden Ski & Board Shop, 8843 State Rd., Colden NY 14033

10% off seasonal rentals if you tell them you're from the BYSNs! They have a range of youth & Adult gear and can help with rentals or for buying new.  https://coldenskiandboard.com/contact

Mud, Sweat n' Gears; locations in East Aurora & Ellicottville, http://mudsweatgears.com/

Gear for Adventure; locations in Amherst & Hamburg, https://gearforadventure.com/, Adult rentals only. They will work with you to buy new youth gear!

Campus Wheelworks, 744 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY, https://www.campuswheelworks.com/, Adult rentals only. 

Marketplace, Ebay or Craig's list often have options for used gear. We recommend you stay away from buying 3 pin old-school bindings and accompanying duck-bill boots. SNS bindings are also older versions,  If this is your only choice, then it's better than nothing but  don't buy it new. We are happy to answer any questions about gear if you are buying online.

Renting Gear

Many of the local shops are willing to rent gear for a season. They are usually set up to rent for the weekend/day so just discuss with them your request. Most of them do this for Alpine, there simply has not been the demand yet for Nordic. This might be the best way for you to explore skiing with your family if you are unsure about taking the leap into buying your own gear this year. Alternatively, rent for a day/weekend and see what you think. It may be enough to convince you that it's worth buying gear used/on-line.

What Size? Where do I start?

Buying gear can be overwhelming so please reach out if you need help!

Start with Boots

The best way to acquire your own equipment is to start with boots that fit. They should fit comfortably like hiking boots/shoes. Sizes are generally in European so make sure to check a size chart or try them on.  See Sizing below for a Nordic Boot Sizing chart.

All skiers can use 1 pair of combi boots – skate/classic boots with sturdy lateral ankle support (for older kids these have a hinged plastic ankle cuff, for younger are generally stiff high-top boots without a cuff).  Older skiers serious about racing will eventually get different skate and classic boots, but not necessary for BKL.  

Boots should be compatible with Bindings

The 2 binding systems:

 NNN (“New Nordic Norm”) is what most standard youth gear is.  Compatible boots: Alpina, Rossignol, Madshus, (newer) Fisher and Salomon Prolink.  Compatible binding systems - NNN, Turnamic, Salomon Prolink. 

Salomon Nordic System (SNS) comes in Propulse, Pilot, and Profil versions (newest to oldest) that are not all interchangeable.  Many Pilot boots fit on Profil bindings, but not vice versa - check before you buy.  Used with Salomon or (newer) Atomic boots.  (Do not confuse with Salmon Prolink boots/bindings, that are compatible with the NNN standard). 

General advice is stick with one binding system for your entire family and you can interchange and kids can move up as they grow!

Bindings should be compatible with Skiis

Older bindings such as 3-pin screw into the skis.  Newer versions have NIS or IFP plates  - plastic plates bonded to the top of the ski.  NIS style bindings clip onto the NIS plates without drilling or screws, allowing some fore/aft adjustment (IFP is the same, just a different brand).  NIS bindings are removable enough to move to new skis as you grow/upgrade.  Junior bindings are slightly cheaper than adult, and are appropriate for 70lbs or less.

Try to stay away from 3-pin bindings with the duck bill boots if you can. If that's the choice vs. getting gear and participating than go for it!

Sizing, Sizing, Sizing.....

For a quick resource of Boot, Poles and specific Ski sizes go to this chart Page 5; Nordic Boot Sizing, Nordic Ski Pole Length, 

 https://www.akers-ski.com/sizing.html

https://www.reliableracing.com/downloads/sizing_charts.pdf 

Skiis

Ski sizing for youth can follow simple guidelines of the length being between the top of the head to below the wrist area when stretching arm to the ceiling for traditional Classic skis. For the youngest, newer skiiers, shorter if fine. 

For Skate skis between the top of eyebrows to the top of the head.

For those children getting more serious about racing fit will be more important and will include weight and stiffness of the ski. Interested? ​read more here.

Poles

Lollipop (2-4 years) and new skiiers should start with 1 pair of Classic poles.

Have your child stand with shoes on a hard floor;

Classic poles should be between the armpit and the top of the shoulder

Skate poles should be between the upper lip and nose

If you’re going to use just one pair, pick classic length.  (Stay away from adjustable-length poles, which are too  heavy and can collapse while skiing)

More experiences skiers or those trying out both techniques will eventually want 2 pairs – classic and skate length.