Ski Size Calculator

Shorter skis are easier to turn, quicker from edge to edge and more forgiving at low speeds, which is why beginners size down 10-15 cm from head height. Longer skis are more stable at speed, hold an edge better through long turns and float better in soft snow, but they demand more strength and cleaner technique. If you ski fast, aggressive lines, err longer; if you value easy turn initiation and control, err shorter.

Height sets the baseline, but weight often matters more than skiers realise because it determines how much you flex the ski. A heavy skier on a short, soft ski will overpower it and feel unstable, while a light skier on a long, stiff ski cannot bend it into a turn. As a rule of thumb, add 3-5 cm if you are clearly heavier than average for your height and subtract 3-5 cm if you are clearly lighter.

Kids ski lengths should land between chest and nose height. Cautious or first-time skiers do best with skis at chest to chin height, while confident, heavier or more aggressive kids can go up to nose height. Never buy long skis for a child to grow into: an oversized ski is hard to steer, slows learning and can be a safety issue. Weight and ability matter more than age.

Freeride and powder skis are sized 5-10 cm longer than an all-mountain ski, typically at or slightly above head height. Extra length means extra surface area, and surface area is what makes a ski float in deep snow. Because powder skis carry generous tip and tail rocker, their effective running edge is much shorter than the measured length, so a long powder ski still feels surprisingly nimble.

Break the tie with weight, terrain and turn style. Size down if you are lighter than average, newer to the sport, or prefer short turns, moguls and slow-speed control. Size up if you are heavier, ski fast, ride mostly off-piste or want more stability in variable snow. With modern rockered skis, sizing up is more forgiving than it used to be.

Yes. Rocker lifts the tip and tail off the snow, so a heavily rockered ski has a shorter effective edge and skis shorter than its measured length; many skiers add 3-5 cm to compensate. A full-camber carving ski uses its entire edge, skis longer than it measures and is best sized conservatively. Always read a specific model's sizing notes alongside general rules.

The sizing method is identical: height, weight, ability and ski category drive the number for everyone. Women-specific skis are simply built in shorter length runs with softer flex patterns and slightly forward mount points to suit lighter builds and a lower centre of mass. A man and a woman with the same height, weight and ability would land on a very similar recommended length.

Slightly, in most cases. Ski tourers commonly drop 2-5 cm from their all-mountain length because a shorter, lighter ski saves energy on the climb and makes kick-turns easier on steep skin tracks. If your touring is lift-accessed sidecountry where downhill performance rules, keep your normal freeride length instead.