Youth ski gloves are specifically designed for children's hand proportions, so they're the best choice for kids and young teens. They account for smaller palms and shorter fingers, and they often include kid-friendly features like wrist leashes to prevent lost gloves on the lift and easy-on designs that make getting ready less of a struggle.
While it might be tempting to grab a small women's pair for a smaller-handed child, women's gloves have different finger-to-palm proportions that can leave extra material at the fingertips, reducing grip and dexterity. On the flip side, small adult women shouldn't default to youth gloves either—they'll miss out on performance features like advanced insulation or premium waterproof membranes that youth models often skip to keep things simple and affordable.
If your child is on the cusp of adult sizing, try both youth and women's options to see which fits better. A well-fitting glove keeps hands warmer and makes handling poles, buckles, and zippers much easier on the mountain.