Calculating ski length: the complete size chart

The right ski length lies for most skiers between your chin and the top of your head. As a rule of thumb you take your body height in centimetres and subtract 5 to 15 cm depending on your level: beginners shorter, advanced skiers longer. Then you correct for weight, ski type and style.

Why the right ski length matters so much

The length of your ski determines how your ski behaves on the piste. A longer ski has more contact area with the snow and therefore more grip and stability at high speed, but is heavier and slower when initiating a turn. A shorter ski is light, turns fast and is forgiving with a still-uncertain technique, but gets nervous and starts to "chatter" as soon as you pick up the pace. The ideal length is therefore always a trade-off between stability and manoeuvrability, tuned to you and your way of skiing.

A wrong length you notice immediately on the piste. Skis that are too long feel tiring: you have to work hard to get them from turn to turn and at the end of the day your legs are done. Skis that are too short give insufficient hold in firm or frozen snow, so you slide away faster and have less confidence. The right size ensures the ski "works for you" instead of against you, and that makes a huge difference in enjoyment and safety.

Four factors together determine your perfect size: your body height, your weight, your level and the type of ski. In addition, your riding style and the terrain you ski most play a role in the fine-tuning. We go through all factors step by step below, so at the end you know exactly which length suits you. Anyone who'd rather not buy straight away but wants to try different lengths or stay flexible all season can also consider renting skis in the right size.

Step 1: start with your body height and level

Your body height is always the starting point of the calculation. Stand up straight, measure your height without shoes and keep that figure in centimetres at hand. The ski level then determines how much you subtract from that length. The more experienced you are, the longer (and thus more stable) the ski may become.

• Beginner: you've only skied a few weeks or days and are mainly working on balance, braking and simple turns. Choose a ski up to about your chin (body height minus around 15 cm). Shorter turns more easily, is lighter to steer and forgives mistakes in your technique.
• Advanced: you make controlled carved turns on blue and red pistes and feel confident on variable terrain. Choose a ski up to your nose or eyes (body height minus around 5 to 10 cm) for a good balance between control and stability.
• Expert: you ski smoothly on black pistes, in all snow conditions and at high pace. Choose a ski up to the top of your head or longer for maximum grip and stability at speed.

Torn between two levels? Then choose the shorter option. A slightly too short ski stays fun and controllable, while a too long ski actually slows your progress because you constantly fight the gear.

Ski length size chart for adults

Use the table below as a guideline. The lengths are in centimetres and based on all-mountain skis; then adjust them for ski type and weight (see step 2 and 3).

A complete choice of skis in all lengths you'll find in our webshop, so you always find the size that matches this table.

Step 2: correct for the ski type and discipline

The type of ski has a major influence on the ideal length, because each discipline requires a different balance between turn speed and stability. Take the base length from the table and adjust:

• Carving / piste: about 2 cm shorter than your base length. A short carver with a small turn radius turns short and precisely on groomed pistes.
• Slalom: 10 to 15 cm shorter than your body height. Slalom skis are the shortest and most manoeuvrable, made for quick, short turns.
• All-mountain: around 2 cm longer than the base length; a versatile all-rounder that works everywhere.
• Giant slalom (GS): about your full body height or slightly longer for stability in large, fast turns.
• Powder / freeride / touring: 3 to 5 cm longer than your base length. Extra length and width give float in loose snow.
• Freestyle / park: about 3 cm shorter, so you turn more easily and perform tricks. Twin-tips are moreover often deliberately ridden short.

Besides the length, the waist width (the width underfoot) also plays a role in how a ski feels. Narrow skis under 80 mm are lightning-fast from edge to edge on hard pistes; wide skis above 100 mm float better in powder snow but react more slowly on the piste. A width around 85 to 95 mm is considered a versatile all-mountain choice. The same goes for the rocker profile: a ski with lots of camber holds the piste tightly and is a favourite for carving and racing, while a ski with tip and tail rocker turns more easily and floats better in loose snow. Length, width and profile always work together, so first choose the ski type that suits your terrain and determine the length within that.

Torn about the type? Read our category overviews at alpine skis and see which shape and width suit your favourite terrain. If you mainly ski on groomed European pistes, you're good with a carving or all-mountain ski in nine out of ten cases.

Step 3: correct for your weight and style

Two skiers of the same height may need a different ski length. Weight and riding style are the fine-tuning:

• Heavier than average for your height: choose at the top of your range or 2 to 3 cm longer. A heavier skier bends the ski more strongly; extra length prevents the ski from sliding away in the turn.
• Lighter than average: choose at the short end. A shorter ski then turns more easily and takes less force.
• Fast and aggressive skiing: choose longer for stability at speed.
• Calm, short turns and lots of piste fun: choose shorter for manoeuvrability.

A concrete example: a skier of 178 cm at advanced level comes out at about 170 cm according to the table. If this skier chooses an all-mountain ski, that becomes around 172 cm. If he or she weighs clearly more than average and likes to ski fast, then 175 cm is a better choice. If the same skier wants a manoeuvrable carver for short turns on the piste instead, then 168 cm is more logical. So you see how the same person ends up at different lengths depending on goal and style.

Also don't forget your ski poles when determining your equipment: the right pole length (grip the pole upside down just below the basket, your forearm should then be roughly horizontal) noticeably improves your balance and timing in the turn. A well-matched set of ski equipment ensures the length choice really comes into its own; the best ski length has little value if your boots or poles aren't right.

Women's, men's and unisex skis

Many brands offer specific women's and men's skis. The most important difference usually lies not in a separate length logic, but in flex, weight and binding position. Women's skis are often slightly softer and lighter, with a binding placed a little forward to support an on-average lower body weight and a different centre of gravity. The size calculation stays identical: start from body height, level and weight. A lighter skier (regardless of gender) chooses at the short end of the range, a heavier one at the long end. So let yourself be guided mainly by your own height, weight and level and not solely by the label on the ski.

Ski length for children

With children it works slightly differently. The ski should never be longer than the child itself and ideally lies between the chest and the nose. The younger and less experienced the child, the shorter the ski: short turns easily and gives confidence. As a child gets better, the ski may grow towards the chin or nose.

Practical rules of thumb based on the child's body height:

• First time / beginner: body height minus around 40 cm (up to the chest).
• Intermediate level: body height minus around 30 to 35 cm.
• Advanced child: body height minus around 20 cm (up to the nose).

Children's ski size chart

Age is only a rough indication, because children of the same age can differ considerably in height. So always start from your child's actual body height and the level, not from the year of birth. Also bear in mind that children often grow several centimetres in one season; so rather buy exactly to size than a few sizes too big. A wide choice of children's skis in increasing sizes helps to find the right size every year without getting considerably more expensive each time. For young or fast-growing children who only ski a few weeks a year, renting skis per season is often the most affordable and most practical choice, because you then automatically have the right size every year.

With children pay extra attention to the binding setting: a too-high or too-low setting value can be dangerous. Always have the binding set by a professional based on the child's height, weight, age and boot size, and check this annually because those values change quickly.

Common mistakes when choosing ski length

1. Steering only on height. Two skiers of 1.75 m with different weight and level have a different ideal size. Height is the starting point, not the endpoint.
2. Buying too long "to grow into". With adults this is counterproductive and slows your progress; with children it leads to frustration and unsafe situations.
3. Ignoring ski type. A powder ski and a slalom ski of the same nominal "length" feel completely different on the piste due to width and profile.
4. Overestimating level. Many skiers rate themselves higher than they are and therefore choose too long. Be honest about your actual experience.
5. Forgetting boot size and binding. The right ski boots and a correct binding setting are just as decisive for control and safety as the ski length itself.

Frequently asked questions

How do I quickly calculate my ski length?

Take your body height in centimetres and subtract 5 to 15 cm depending on your level. Beginners choose shorter (up to the chin), advanced skiers longer (up to the nose or top of the head).

Should a ski reach my chin or my head?

For beginners the ski sits around chin height for extra control. Advanced and experienced skiers choose a ski up to the nose or the top of the head for more stability at speed.

Which ski length does my child need?

The ski should never be longer than the child itself and ideally lies between chest and nose. For beginners reckon body height minus about 40 cm, for advanced children minus about 20 cm.

Does weight matter when choosing ski length?

Yes. Skiers who are heavier than average for their height are better off choosing at the long end of their range, lighter skiers shorter instead for easier steering.

Are carving skis shorter than all-mountain skis?

Usually yes. A carving ski is often ridden about 2 cm shorter than your base length for short, precise turns on the piste, while all-mountain skis may be slightly longer.

Which length slalom ski do I need?

Slalom skis are the shortest and most manoeuvrable. Reckon about 10 to 15 cm shorter than your body height for quick, short turns between the gates.

Is it wise to buy children's skis bigger to grow into?

No. Skis that are too long are hard to steer and unsafe, which reduces enjoyment and progress. Choose the right size now and consider renting for fast-growing children.

Conclusion

Start with your body height, subtract based on your level, and then correct for ski type, weight and style. Use the size charts above as a reliable starting point and when in doubt choose slightly shorter if you mainly want manoeuvrability, or slightly longer for stability at speed. Still undecided? Feel free to ask our team for personal advice, or directly browse the complete range of skis and put together your ideal set for the coming season.