# What ski length do I need?

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.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/sports/ski-size-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/sports/ski-size-calculator.json
- Version: c67efc28e6e8

## Default answer

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).

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| height | Your height | Your height without ski boots. |
| ability | Ability | How you ski today. |
| weight | Weight for your height | Lighter skiers bend a ski more easily and can go shorter; heavier skiers go longer. |
| terrain | Terrain | Where you ski most: groomed runs and the park, everywhere, or powder and off-piste. |
| fast | I ski fast and aggressively | Fast, aggressive skiers add about 2 cm for stability. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| suggested | Suggested ski length (cm) | The middle of the range, rounded half up to a whole centimetre. |
| shortest | Shortest (cm) | The short end of the range. |
| longest | Longest (cm) | The long end of the range. |
| heightCm | Your height (cm) | Your height in centimetres, to 0.1 cm. |
| adjust | Adjustment (cm) | The total change for weight, terrain and style. |

## 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.

## Worked examples

1. height = 1.73, ability = beginner, weight = average, terrain = all, fast = no gives 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.
2. height = 1.73, ability = expert, weight = average, terrain = all, fast = no gives 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.
3. height = 1.778, ability = intermediate, weight = heavy, terrain = powder, fast = yes gives 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.
4. height = 1.6, ability = beginner, weight = light, terrain = groomers, fast = no gives 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.

## FAQ

### 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.

## 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)