Ski size calculator
Enter your height, weight and level to find the right length of skis and poles for you.
Ski length is chosen first in relation to your height: standing upright, the ski should reach your chin if you are a beginner, your nose if you are an intermediate skier and your forehead if you are an advanced skier. A short ski turns more easily and forgives mistakes; a long ski is more stable at speed and floats better in deep snow.
Weight and discipline then refine the choice. A skier who is heavier than average for their height flexes the ski more and can go longer; a light skier, shorter. Piste and freestyle skis are taken shorter, freeride skis longer. The calculator applies these rules, used by rental shops and manufacturers, and gives a range: if you are between two lengths, take the shorter one if you are a beginner.
- Measure your height without shoes, with your back against a wall.
- Weigh yourself in your usual clothes (ski gear does not count).
- Be honest about your level: beginner if you mostly ski green and blue runs, intermediate on red runs, advanced on black runs and off-piste.
- Choose the discipline that matches most of your days on the slopes.
Ski size chart by skier height
Lengths in cm for an all-mountain ski and average weight. Piste and freestyle: subtract 5 cm; freeride: add 5 cm.
| Skier height (cm) | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced | Poles (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 82–88 | 87–93 | 92–98 | 70 |
| 110 | 92–98 | 97–103 | 102–108 | 75 |
| 120 | 102–108 | 107–113 | 112–118 | 85 |
| 130 | 112–118 | 117–123 | 122–128 | 90 |
| 140 | 122–128 | 127–133 | 132–138 | 100 |
| 150 | 132–138 | 137–143 | 142–148 | 105 |
| 160 | 142–148 | 147–153 | 152–158 | 110 |
| 170 | 152–158 | 157–163 | 162–168 | 120 |
| 180 | 162–168 | 167–173 | 172–178 | 125 |
| 190 | 172–178 | 177–183 | 182–188 | 135 |
| 200 | 182–188 | 187–193 | 192–198 | 140 |
Frequently asked questions
What size skis for 5'7" (170 cm)?
For a 170 cm skier of average build on an all-mountain ski: 152 to 158 cm as a beginner, 157 to 163 cm as an intermediate, 162 to 168 cm as an advanced skier. Subtract 5 cm for a piste ski, add 5 cm for a freeride ski.
Is it better to have skis that are too short or too long?
For a beginner or occasional skier, slightly short skis are the lesser evil: they turn easily and build confidence. Skis that are too long need more speed and pressure to turn, and are tiring. Advanced skiers who go fast or ski powder will prefer the top of the range instead.
How do I choose the right ski pole length?
Turn the pole upside down, grip it just below the basket and put the handle on the ground: your forearm should be horizontal, elbow at 90°. That is about 70% of your height: 120 cm for 170 cm, 125 cm for 180 cm. Freestyle skiers often go 5 cm shorter, ski tourers use telescopic poles.
What size skis for a child?
Same principle as for adults: a beginner child's skis should reach between the chest and the chin, roughly their height minus 15 cm (87 to 93 cm for a child of 105 cm). Avoid buying skis "to grow into": skis that are too long hold a child back. Seasonal rental is often the best option.
Do turning radius and waist width matter too?
Yes, but after length. The turning radius (printed on the ski, in metres) shows the natural size of the turns: under 14 m for short turns, over 18 m for long carves. The waist width (under the boot) shows versatility: under 80 mm for piste, 85 to 100 mm for all-mountain, over 100 mm for powder.