Equipment Selection

A child’s first ski equipment set would include a pair of no-wax (fish-scale) skis. Skis should be approximately the same height as the skier.
If you choose to purchase poles, they should be “classic” length (with the pole tip in the snow, the pole height would reach the underarm).

For learning the skills required at these levels, it is preferable to have waxable skis, even if they are your first pair.
Your skis can be dual purpose (classic skis that can also be used for skating), but your poles must remain “classic” length.

At this point you will be introduced to the skating technique.
You can learn skating technique skills while using classic, dual-purpose skis, but you will now require both skating length poles and classic length poles.
For skating technique sessions, if you are using classic, dual-purpose skis, you must remove the grip wax from the kick zone and have the entire length of the ski prepared with glide wax.
For classic technique sessions, the kick zone must be in place again, and grip wax must be applied.
It is also important that you are using binding that do not rub the track when your ski is on edge or when you are using the skating technique.
By the time you have completed the Jackrabbit Program, you may wish to have two sets of equipment (both skating and classic), especially if you plan to continue on to the next stage in CCC’s skill development progression, the Track Attack Program.

We’re assuming you are fully into skiing if you are in Track Attack and have selected good equipment for both classic and skate techniques.
Talk to your coach if you have any question about what you might need!