Ski Size Calculator

Our ski size calculator is designed to help you choose the perfect gear to make one of the most popular winter activities even more enjoyable. Knowing how to size skis can make a real difference to your experience. As you probably know, they're not just some strips of plastic that you can randomly wear.

Read on to find out how to find the ski length for your height, experience level, and different types of skis (there are more than you'd expect!) and terrain. We have a built-in ski size chart in our tool just for that reason.

Believe it or not, some of us aren't so fond of summer and use day counters to see how long is left until winter instead. Indeed, it's cold, and the days are shorter, but there are several fun activities limited to this season (or snowy places), such as building a snowman, sledding, or skiing. The latter is split into various types — even more, the reason to implement sizing to account for different types of skis to know exactly what size skis should I buy.

Now that we know why, let's find out how to determine ski size.

You usually pick the ski length for height. Some people choose their gear based on that, but we recommend considering other variables for more accuracy. Weight, experience, terrain, and style all affect the final size. For instance, racing skis tend to be the longest in order to reach high speeds but also lack versatility.

Another parameter worth considering is how you adjust your ski bindings — you can use our din calculator to get some help!

Ski sizes are typically given in centimeters. That's also the case in our ski size calculator, but you can easily convert it to another unit with the length converter if you prefer.

One thing is knowing how ski sizes work; another is choosing the right ski length for yourself. We'll show you step-by-step how to find this number:

1. Find your height in centimeters.

2. Estimate your weight, ideally in pounds, to simplify the calculations. It won't change the ski size if it's between 100-119 lbs (45.4-54 kg). Otherwise, add 1 cm to your height for every additional 10 lbs from that range or subtract it if you weigh less.

3. Determine your ability level:

   • Beginner — Beginner ski length should be shorter as they're easier to control and more forgiving if you make a mistake. Subtract 17 cm.
   • Intermediate — Feeling confident, but not enough to call yourself an expert? If you can ski on groomed slopes at different paces and remain in control, you can afford a bit longer ski length for your height. Subtract 13 cm.
   • Advanced — Although there are many definitions, generally, advanced skiers are confident on various terrains and under all snow conditions. Subtract 9 cm — longer skis will allow you to enjoy higher paces and offer more stability.

4. Think about your skiing style:

   • Easy-going — This applies if your pace is relaxed and you opt for smooth slopes. Subtract 2 cm.
   • Average — This is you if you still choose a recreational setting, but with more variety of speeds and terrains. Most people fall into this category, so it doesn't change the ski length.
   • Aggressive — If you like to go fast and have a go at steep slopes, that's you. You may want to add 2 cm so that you can reach higher speeds more easily. The elevation grade calculator can help you understand what kind of terrain you deal with.

5. Consider what you'll use the skis for:

   • All-Mountain — As the name suggests, they're the most versatile and should serve you well on every terrain on the mountain. This will probably be your choice if you don't want to limit yourself to one application but don't wish to invest in multiple different types of skis, either. Add 2 cm.
   • Groomers and carving — This type is the most popular amongst recreational skiers. They're narrower than all-mountain skis, responsive, easy to turn, and suitable for all levels. Subtract 2 cm.
   • Off groomer (powder) — These are meant to keep you afloat if you want to ski despite powder stashes at the resort, prefer the backcountry wilderness, or enjoy heli-ski trips. Add 2-5 cm.
   • (Alpine) Touring — It's similar to backcountry skiing but excludes the use of any lift, so your gear must also allow you to go uphill (a good way to burn more calories, too). If you're not sure, it's better to go shorter so the skis are more maneuverable — better safe than sorry! Add 2-5 cm.
   • Racing — They're typically the longest skis, resulting in a longer turn radius. Stiffness allows them to handle high speeds and a lot of pressure but makes them difficult to work with for inexperienced skiers. Add 5-10 cm.
   • Terrain parks — Terrain parks are like skateparks but snowy. If you want to perform tricks, the more control you have, the better. Shorter skis will give you that and allow for quick turns with a small radius — subtract 2-5 cm.

6. Congratulations! You've found the answer to "what size skis do I need?"!

Bear in mind that this number isn't fixed, and there is no definite answer to the question how to know what size skis to buy. Any pair within the range +/- 3 cm should be suitable. Sizing may also vary between different brands, similar to clothes.

There are many variables to consider when it comes to how to determine ski size; it's easy to get confused. We appreciate it, so we've prepared an example to make this decision easier and hopefully clarify how the ski size calculator works.

If you're going to ski for the first time, you probably won't buy anything just yet, but knowing your size should still be helpful. You may have the chance to borrow the gear from someone, but would it be suitable for you? Perhaps it's better to rent?

In this scenario, we're looking for a beginner ski length. You'll want to be easy-goingor cautious, to begin with, and it's unlikely that you'll go off the main slope, so carving ski should be the right choice. Let's assume that you're 5' 6" (170 cm) and weigh 133 lbs (60.3 kg). How do you know what size skis to buy or borrow?

Inputting this into the ski size calculator tells us that the ideal size lies within the range of 149-155 cm. Borrowing skis from someone intermediate may not be the best idea unless they're shorter or lighter.