Most equipment is made with the “average� skier in mind. If you weigh much more or less than an average adult, you’ll have different equipment needs.
The good news: if you’re a smaller skier, you probably won’t have to spend as much on gear as the heavyweights. The bad news: if you’re a lightweight expert, a lot of the high-performance equipment out there may be stiff or too heavy (as you probably already know).

Just as with bigger skiers, the idea is to keep equipment proportional. Featherweights can get away with lighter, softer skis and lighter bindings, and they will also need softer-flexing boots.

Boots: Skiers with small feet may have to get creative. Because manufacturers don’t make ‘men’s’ boots below size 24.5 (about US 7), small guys may need look at women’s performance boots (which are usually the same shell with softer plastic and a smaller size run), and small women may need to look at junior race boots.

Skis: The lighter you are, the softer ski you need (because you have to be able to easily flex them). A ski that’s to stiff will be more work to turn, and it may transmit too much impact from abrupt terrain changes- instead of flexing and absorbing bumps, a stiff ski will just throw you into the back seat.

That said, lightweight skiers may find that some of the skis that are soft enough don’t have the mass or vibration-reduction technology to keep the skis firmly planted on the snow. It’s ok to go with a heavier ski as long as you can flex it- some light skiers prefer a relatively heavy, damp ski that feels more solidly connected to the snow.

Ski size runs are finally catching up to the market: there’s a variety of skis available in short sizes- as short as 142cm, and you can get powder skis, race skis, all-mtn skis, all in appropriately short sizes for smaller skiers.

Bindings: High-performance, high-DIN bindings are unnecessary for lightweights- its just extra material that you don’t need. If you are an aggressive skier, use the lightest version of a company’s performance series- they’ll provide the solid, flex-free connection required for high-energy skiing, without un-necessary extra mass of the more expensive high-DIN models.
By the same token, bindings with performance-enhancing lifter plate systems, or skis with integrated binding systems may be excessively heavy as well- but don’t be afraid to give ‘em a shot if you ski mostly packed snow- the plates improve ski stability without inhibiting flex and turning ease.

Poles: If you use a pole shorter than 44� (for skiers under about 5’ 4�), try a kid’s pole- they’re cheaper, lighter and have smaller grips for smaller hands.