A parent's guide to junior ski race back protectors: safety levels, fit, and what to look for. Shop certified protection at Peak Performance.
FIS race suit certification is only required for U19 athletes and older, meaning competitors age 16 and up racing at FIS events, the NorAm Series, Europa Cup, or World Junior Championships.
A junior ski race suit should fit snug but not restrictive. Size by height first, then weight. When the suit is on, padding should sit directly over the target joints, and the racer should be able to drop into a full tuck without the back riding up or the collar pulling. If any of those three things are off, try the next size.
For most junior racers competing in giant slalom and slalom, a padded GS suit is the right choice. The padding is built into the suit and protects against gate contact on every run.
Eastern ice is not a preference or a terrain category. It is a daily condition. At Killington, the February morning groomer is often a sheet of refrozen corduroy with exposed ice patches on the fall line pitches. Skis that perform well in that environment are built for it deliberately, not because they are a wide, softer option that "handles all conditions." For a racer or a strong freeskier who actually wants to hold a line on hard snow, the Stöckli race lineup is one of the few choices built specifically to work here.
