Ski Length Calculator
Recommended alpine ski length from your height, weight, ability, skiing style, ski type (carving, all-mountain, powder, park, touring) and rocker profile, with a size range, where the ski should reach on you, pole length, junior sizing and a table of lengths for every ability and ski type.
How it works
Length ≈ height + ability (beginner −14, intermediate −7, advanced −3, expert +3 cm) + ski type (carving −3, all-mountain 0, powder +5, park −5, touring −2) + style (±3) + profile (camber −2, heavy rocker +4) + build (BMI − 22, capped at ±6) · juniors: height × 0.80 / 0.88 / 0.93 / 0.97 · poles ≈ height × 0.7
Ski length trades easy turning against stability and float. A shorter ski pivots quickly and is forgiving, which suits beginners, moguls and relaxed skiing. A longer ski holds an edge at speed and rides on top of deep snow. Shop charts put beginners around nose height and experts at or above the top of the head. This calculator starts from that ability-based rule, set between evo’s published height chart and Omni’s adjustment method. It then adds your ski type: carving and park skis go shorter, powder and freeride skis longer. Skiing style and the ski’s profile come next, because a heavily rockered ski has a shorter edge on the snow and is sized up. Your build counts too: a skier heavier than average for their height bends the ski more and goes a little longer, and a lighter one goes shorter. Juniors are sized between chest and head height by ability. You get a centre length, a 10 cm range to shop in, where it reaches on your face, pole length and a table for every ability and ski type.
Worked example
A 175 cm, 75 kg intermediate skier on all-mountain skis with an average style and a standard tip-rocker profile: 175 − 7 = 168 cm. A BMI of 24.5 adds 2.5 cm, giving about 170 cm (range 165–175 cm), which reaches between forehead and top of head. Poles: 175 × 0.7 = 122.5, rounded to 120 cm. The same skier on powder skis would look at about 175 cm, or 165 cm on park skis.
Frequently asked questions
Does rocker change the answer?
Yes. A heavily rockered ski touches the snow over a shorter length, so it skis shorter than the number printed on it. Size up about 3–5 cm compared with a traditional cambered ski; choose “Heavy or twin rocker” under More options.
What size skis does a child need?
First-timers and cautious kids: between chest and chin. Confident kids: chin to nose. Strong junior skiers: up to the forehead. Switch on “Child or junior skier” to use these rules, and avoid sizing up more than about 5 cm for growth.
How long should my ski poles be?
About 0.7 × your height, rounded to the nearest 5 cm. To check in a shop, turn the pole upside down and grip it under the basket: your forearm should be about level, with the elbow near a right angle.
Should women size skis differently?
The same rules apply. Women’s models are often lighter and softer, and on average women are lighter for their height, which the build adjustment already covers.
Is it better to go shorter or longer if I am between sizes?
Go shorter if you are still learning, ski mostly groomed runs or like quick turns. Go longer if you ski fast, are heavier than average or spend days off-piste.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.