{
  "id": "ski-size",
  "version": "c67efc28e6e8",
  "status": "published",
  "name": "Ski Size Calculator",
  "question": "What ski length do I need?",
  "summary": "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.",
  "category": "sports",
  "subcategory": "fitness",
  "url": "https://www.acalculator.org/sports/ski-size-calculator",
  "markdown": "https://www.acalculator.org/sports/ski-size-calculator.md",
  "kind": "function",
  "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.",
  "assumptions": [
    "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."
  ],
  "inputs": {
    "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "height": {
        "title": "Your height",
        "description": "Your height without ski boots.",
        "type": [
          "number",
          "string"
        ],
        "x-quantity": "length",
        "minimum": 1.4,
        "maximum": 2.15
      },
      "ability": {
        "title": "Ability",
        "description": "How you ski today.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "beginner",
          "intermediate",
          "advanced",
          "expert"
        ]
      },
      "weight": {
        "title": "Weight for your height",
        "description": "Lighter skiers bend a ski more easily and can go shorter; heavier skiers go longer.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "light",
          "average",
          "heavy"
        ]
      },
      "terrain": {
        "title": "Terrain",
        "description": "Where you ski most: groomed runs and the park, everywhere, or powder and off-piste.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "groomers",
          "all",
          "powder"
        ]
      },
      "fast": {
        "title": "I ski fast and aggressively",
        "description": "Fast, aggressive skiers add about 2 cm for stability.",
        "type": "boolean"
      }
    }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "suggested": {
      "label": "Suggested ski length (cm)",
      "description": "The middle of the range, rounded half up to a whole centimetre.",
      "format": "integer"
    },
    "shortest": {
      "label": "Shortest (cm)",
      "description": "The short end of the range.",
      "format": "integer"
    },
    "longest": {
      "label": "Longest (cm)",
      "description": "The long end of the range.",
      "format": "integer"
    },
    "heightCm": {
      "label": "Your height (cm)",
      "description": "Your height in centimetres, to 0.1 cm.",
      "format": "number"
    },
    "adjust": {
      "label": "Adjustment (cm)",
      "description": "The total change for weight, terrain and style.",
      "format": "number"
    }
  },
  "defaultAnswer": {
    "inputs": {
      "height": 1.7271999999999998,
      "ability": "intermediate",
      "weight": "average",
      "terrain": "all",
      "fast": false
    },
    "outputs": {
      "suggested": 171,
      "shortest": 168,
      "longest": 174,
      "heightCm": 172.72,
      "adjust": 0
    },
    "text": "At 172.7 cm, a ski of about 171 cm suits you (168 to 174 cm)."
  },
  "examples": [
    {
      "given": {
        "height": 1.73,
        "ability": "beginner",
        "weight": "average",
        "terrain": "all",
        "fast": false
      },
      "expect": {
        "shortest": 158,
        "longest": 168,
        "suggested": 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"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "height": 1.73,
        "ability": "expert",
        "weight": "average",
        "terrain": "all",
        "fast": false
      },
      "expect": {
        "shortest": 176,
        "longest": 183,
        "suggested": 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; hand calculation in content.mdx: (176 + 183) ÷ 2 = 179.5, half up 180"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "height": 1.778,
        "ability": "intermediate",
        "weight": "heavy",
        "terrain": "powder",
        "fast": true
      },
      "expect": {
        "heightCm": 177.8,
        "adjust": 7.5,
        "shortest": 180,
        "longest": 186,
        "suggested": 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; hand calculation in content.mdx: 177.8 − 5 + 7.5 = 180.3 → 180; 177.8 + 1 + 7.5 = 186.3 → 186; middle 183.3 → 183"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "height": 1.6,
        "ability": "beginner",
        "weight": "light",
        "terrain": "groomers",
        "fast": false
      },
      "expect": {
        "shortest": 140,
        "longest": 150,
        "suggested": 145,
        "adjust": -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; hand calculation in content.mdx: 160 − 15 − 5.5 = 139.5 → 140; 160 − 5 − 5.5 = 149.5 → 150"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    "K2 Snow, Ski Sizing Guide (skis between chin and top of head; chart for 5 ft 8 in / 173 cm: beginner 158–168, intermediate 168–174, advanced playful 172–178, advanced charger 176–183 cm; weight ±1–3 cm, terrain ±2–5 cm, fast and aggressive about +2 cm). https://k2snow.com/en-us/support/ski-sizing-guide (retrieved 2026-10-01)",
    "Atomic, How To Choose The Right Alpine Ski (beginners about chin height; advanced between chin and forehead; experts body height or longer). https://www.atomic.com/en-us/blogs/magazine/how-to-choose-the-right-alpine-ski (retrieved 2026-10-01)"
  ],
  "related": [
    "vo2-max",
    "one-rep-max"
  ],
  "changelog": []
}