How to use
- 1Enter your height and weight in cm/kg or ft-in/lb.
- 2Choose your ability: beginner, intermediate or advanced.
- 3Pick the ski type: all-mountain, piste, carving, freeride or kids’ skis.
- 4Read the length range, the chin/nose/forehead reference and the table for every level.
The chin, nose and forehead rule
Ski shops size by where the tip reaches when the ski stands next to you. Beginners usually ride skis between chin and nose height (about 12–20 cm shorter than you), intermediates between nose and forehead (about 6–14 cm shorter) and advanced skiers from forehead to head height. A 175 cm intermediate on all-mountain skis lands at about 161–169 cm. Skis are sold in cm everywhere, including the US and UK, typically in 5–7 cm steps.
How ski type and weight change the length
Piste skis run about 3 cm shorter to stay quick on groomers, carving and slalom skis about 6 cm shorter for tight turns, and freeride or powder skis about 6 cm longer for float – a rockered tip skis shorter than it measures, so the top of the range is fine. Weight matters because a heavier skier bends the ski more: the calculator adds about 4 cm if your BMI is above 27 and takes 4 cm off below 19.
Kids’ skis
Children get shorter skis than the adult rule, because control matters more than speed: small beginners can ride skis at chest height, about 15–25 cm shorter than they are, and confident young skiers around chin to nose. Buying long skis to grow into makes turning harder and slows learning; renting or ski swaps are the usual answer for growing kids.
Frequently asked questions
What size skis do I need for my height?
As a rule of thumb, subtract 12–20 cm from your height as a beginner, 6–14 cm as an intermediate and 0–8 cm as an advanced skier. A 5′10″ (178 cm) intermediate fits roughly 164–172 cm all-mountain skis.
Should skis come up to my chin or my nose?
Chin to nose height suits beginners and cautious skiers; nose to forehead suits intermediates; forehead and above suits strong skiers and powder skis.
Is it better to have shorter or longer skis?
Shorter skis turn more easily and forgive mistakes; longer skis are more stable at speed and float better in powder. When between two sizes, go shorter if you are learning and longer if you ski fast or are heavy for your height.
What length skis for a child?
Young beginners: around chest height, roughly 15–25 cm shorter than the child. Older, confident kids: chin to nose height.
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