You know they're ready when they start chasing you around the backcountry, only flailing when the snow gets deep. Give the kid a break and buy them a pair of the Atomic Bent Chetler Mini Skis, the right tool for soft snow freeriding for the short set. With Powder Rocker to tame the freshies and the same awesome Chris Benchetler artwork on the topsheets as the adult versions, the "Mini" will reinforce the notion that parents are the good guys and skiing is all it's cracked up to be.