What ski length do I need?
Type your height and pick your ability. The ski length calculator suggests a ski size in centimetres and the range around it, moved for your weight, the terrain you ski and how fast you ski.
- Suggested ski length (cm)
- 171
At 172.7 cm, a ski of about 171 cm suits you (168 to 174 cm).
- Shortest (cm)
- 168
- Longest (cm)
- 174
- Your height (cm)
- 172.7
- Adjustment (cm)
- 0
Suggested ski length (cm): 171. At 172.7 cm, a ski of about 171 cm suits you (168 to 174 cm).
How to calculate
Suggests a ski length range in centimetres from your height and ability, adjusted for your weight, the terrain you ski and how fast you ski.
Example with the default inputs (Your height 5 ft 8 in, Ability Intermediate, Weight for your height Average, Terrain All-mountain, I ski fast and aggressively No): At 172.7 cm, a ski of about 171 cm suits you (168 to 174 cm).
Method: Range = height + the ability’s offsets (beginner −15 to −5 cm, intermediate −5 to +1, advanced −1 to +5, expert +3 to +10) + weight (−2, 0, +2) + terrain (−3.5, 0, +3.5) + fast (+2); suggested = the middle of the range.
- The ability offsets are K2’s chart row for a 173 cm skier, used for every height; K2 says its lengths are general suggestions.
- Weight, terrain and style shifts are the middle of K2’s ranges (1 to 3 cm, 2 to 5 cm, about 2 cm).
- For adults from 140 cm to 215 cm; children’s skis are sized by weight and height on maker charts.
- A ski’s own design (rocker, width) changes its best length; check the maker’s chart for that model.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Your height 5 ft 8.1 in, Ability Beginner, Weight for your height Average, Terrain All-mountain, I ski fast and aggressively no gives Shortest (cm) 158, Longest (cm) 168, Suggested ski length (cm) 163.Source: K2 Snow, Ski Sizing Guide (chart for 5 ft 8 in / 173 cm: beginner 158–168 cm). https://k2snow.com/en-us/support/ski-sizing-guide
- Your height 5 ft 8.1 in, Ability Expert, Weight for your height Average, Terrain All-mountain, I ski fast and aggressively no gives Shortest (cm) 176, Longest (cm) 183, Suggested ski length (cm) 180.Source: K2 Snow, Ski Sizing Guide (chart for 173 cm: advanced charger 176–183 cm). https://k2snow.com/en-us/support/ski-sizing-guide
- Your height 5 ft 10 in, Ability Intermediate, Weight for your height Heavier, Terrain Powder, freeride, I ski fast and aggressively yes gives Your height (cm) 177.8, Adjustment (cm) 7.5, Shortest (cm) 180, Longest (cm) 186, Suggested ski length (cm) 183.Source: K2 Snow, Ski Sizing Guide (heavier +1 to 3 cm, powder +2 to 5 cm, fast and aggressive about +2 cm). https://k2snow.com/en-us/support/ski-sizing-guide
- Your height 5 ft 3 in, Ability Beginner, Weight for your height Lighter, Terrain Groomers, park, I ski fast and aggressively no gives Shortest (cm) 140, Longest (cm) 150, Suggested ski length (cm) 145, Adjustment (cm) -5.5.Source: Atomic, How To Choose The Right Alpine Ski (beginners: about chin height). https://www.atomic.com/en-us/blogs/magazine/how-to-choose-the-right-alpine-ski; K2 Snow, Ski Sizing Guide (lighter −1 to 3 cm, groomers and park −2 to 5 cm). https://k2snow.com/en-us/support/ski-sizing-guide
How it works
The range starts from your height in centimetres and adds the offsets for your ability. These are K2’s chart lengths for a 173 cm skier, minus 173:
| Ability | Shortest | Longest |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | height − 15 cm | height − 5 cm |
| Intermediate | height − 5 cm | height + 1 cm |
| Advanced | height − 1 cm | height + 5 cm |
| Expert | height + 3 cm | height + 10 cm |
Then both ends move by the adjustment, the sum of:
- Weight for your height: lighter −2 cm, average 0, heavier +2 cm (the middle of K2’s 1 to 3 cm)
- Terrain: groomers and park −3.5 cm, all-mountain 0, powder and freeride +3.5 cm (the middle of K2’s 2 to 5 cm)
- Fast and aggressive: +2 cm when ticked
The suggested length is the middle of the range: (shortest + longest) ÷ 2.
Exact arithmetic and rounding. Your height is read as the exact decimal you typed (5 ft 10 in is exactly 177.8 cm). The shortest, longest and suggested lengths are rounded half up to a whole centimetre from their exact values: 139.5 cm shows as 140 cm. Your height shows to 0.1 cm and the adjustment to 0.1 cm.
Assumptions
- K2’s offsets for a 173 cm skier are used for every height; K2 calls its lengths general suggestions.
- Heights from 140 cm to 215 cm; the page opens at 5 ft 8 in (172.72 cm). Ski boots are not included in the height.
- A ski’s design (rocker, width, turn radius) changes its best length; check the maker’s chart for the model you buy.
Worked examples by hand
173 cm beginner, average, all-mountain. 173 − 15 = 158 cm to 173 − 5 = 168 cm; middle 163 cm. This is K2’s chart row.
173 cm expert. 173 + 3 = 176 cm to 173 + 10 = 183 cm; middle 179.5, half up 180 cm.
5 ft 10 in intermediate, heavier, powder, fast. 70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm; adjustment 2 + 3.5 + 2 = 7.5 cm; 177.8 − 5 + 7.5 = 180.3 → 180 cm; 177.8 + 1 + 7.5 = 186.3 → 186 cm; middle 183.3 → 183 cm.
160 cm beginner, lighter, groomers. Adjustment −2 − 3.5 = −5.5 cm; 160 − 15 − 5.5 = 139.5 → 140 cm; 160 − 5 − 5.5 = 149.5 → 150 cm; middle 144.5 → 145 cm.
Other questions people ask
How do I choose ski length by height?
Most makers size skis between your chin and the top of your head. K2’s chart for a 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) skier runs from 158 cm for a beginner to 183 cm for a hard-charging expert. Shorter skis turn more easily; longer skis are steadier at speed.
What size skis should a beginner get?
About chin height, or a little shorter. Atomic suggests about chin height for beginners; K2’s chart gives 158 to 168 cm for a 173 cm beginner, which is your height minus 5 to 15 cm.
Should heavier skiers use longer skis?
Yes. A heavier skier bends a ski more, so K2 suggests sizing up 1 to 3 cm, and a lighter skier sizing down by the same. The calculator moves the range 2 cm either way.
Are powder skis longer?
Usually. K2 suggests adding 2 to 5 cm for powder and freeride skiing, and taking off 2 to 5 cm for park and groomed runs. The calculator uses 3.5 cm, the middle of that range.
What if I am between two sizes?
Go shorter if you are still learning, ski mostly slow groomed runs, or are light for your height. Go longer if you ski fast, ski off-piste, or are heavy for your height.
Does this work for children?
No. It is for adults 140 cm (4 ft 7 in) to 215 cm (7 ft 1 in) tall. Children’s skis are sized by weight and height on each maker’s junior chart.