How to Choose the Ideal Ski Length / Size
Most skiers choose skis which, when stood on end, come between shoulder height and 15cm above their head height. As a starting point, choose skis which come up to your nose then make adjustments according to the factors described below. The more factors applicable to you, the more adjustments you should make.
Pick Skis Below Nose Height If:
- You are a beginner or improving skier
- You are lighter than average for your height
- You like to make short, quick turns and rarely ski really fast
- You want a pure carving ski with no rocker.
- You ski on dry slopes or in snowdomes.
Pick Skis Above Nose Height If:
- You like to ski fast and aggressively
- You are heavier than average for your height
- You plan to do a lot of off piste skiing
- You plan to use a twin-tip ski or plan to hit a lot of big kickers
- You want a ski that has a lot of rocker
- You are an advanced skier
If you follow the above advice you will most likely end up choosing a pair of skis which fall into the size range shown in the tables below. If unsure, choose a pair in the middle of the recommended range indicated by the tables. Find your weight in the left column then read across until you come to the size range shown in the column for your height.
Men's Ski Size Chart (Metric)
| Height/Weight | <152cm | 154-168cm | 168-182cm | 182-195cm | +195cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <49kg | 115-130 | 135-150 | 150-160 | 160-165 | 170-175 |
| 50-59kg | 125-140 | 145-155 | 155-165 | 165-170 | 175-180 |
| 60-69kg | 130-145 | 150-160 | 160-170 | 170-175 | 180-185 |
| 70-79kg | 135-150 | 155-165 | 165-175 | 175-180 | 185-190 |
| 80-89kg | 140-155 | 160-170 | 170-180 | 180-185 | 190-195 |
| 90-95kg | 145-160 | 165-175 | 175-185 | 185-190 | 195-200 |
| +95kg | 160+ | 175+ | 185+ | 190+ | 200+ |
Women's Ski Size Chart (Metric)
Women can use men's skis but female specific skis are designed to suit a woman's stature and lower centre of gravity, with softer flex patterns and generally thinner waist widths, giving a better response and feel for most female skiers. This is why the ski lengths recommended in this table are not the same as those recommended for men of the same height and weight choosing a pair of men's skis.
| Height/Weight | <152cm | 154-168cm | 168-182cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| <49kg | 135-137 | 138-152 | 154-166 |
| 50-59kg | 137-139 | 140-154 | 157-169 |
| 60-69kg | 138-140 | 142-156 | 160-172 |
| 70-79kg | 139-141 | 145-158 | 163-175 |
| 80-89kg | 140-142 | 148-161 | 165-177 |
| 90-95kg | 141-143 | 151-164 | 167-179 |
| +95kg | 144+ | 166+ | 180+ |
Still not sure what size to get? We're here to help!
Check out our Buying Guides for technical tips and tricks.
You can easily buy both sizes and send one back with our simple Return Policy.
Visit our Help Centre for advice from our team.