Case 1
- How tall are you?
- 175cm
- What is your ability?
- Intermediate — at home on groomers
- Where do you ski?
- All-mountain — a bit of everything
166cm
Open with these valuesSki Size Calculator
166cm
Result: 166 cmSkis should reach somewhere between your chin and the crown of your head. A beginner sizes down toward the chin, an expert up toward the head, and powder adds a few centimetres. At 175 cm, an intermediate all-mountain skier lands near 166 cm — treat it as the middle of a range of about ten centimetres.
The numbers at a glance
Held fixed: What is your ability? Intermediate — at home on groomers, Where do you ski? All-mountain — a bit of everything.
| How tall are you? (cm) | Result (cm) |
|---|---|
| 150 | 143 |
| 160 | 152 |
| 170 | 162 |
| 175Your value | 166 |
| 180 | 171 |
| 190 | 181 |
| 200 | 190 |
Worked examples
Case 2
- How tall are you?
- 170cm
- What is your ability?
- Beginner — learning to link turns
- Where do you ski?
- All-mountain — a bit of everything
153cm
Open with these valuesCase 3
- How tall are you?
- 180cm
- What is your ability?
- Advanced — steep and varied terrain
- Where do you ski?
- Freeride and powder — off-piste
183cm
Open with these valuesHow it's calculated
length = height × ability factor + terrain adjustment
- StepEnter your height in centimetres.
- StepPick the ability level you ski at most of the time.
- StepPick the terrain you ski most.
- ResultShop within about five centimetres either side of the answer.
Reference table
| Height, ability, terrain | Factor and adjustment | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 160 cm, beginner, piste | 0.90 and −5 cm | 139 |
| 170 cm, beginner, all-mountain | 0.90 and 0 cm | 153 |
| 175 cm, intermediate, all-mountain | 0.95 and 0 cm | 166 |
| 170 cm, expert, all-mountain | 1.02 and 0 cm | 173 |
| 180 cm, advanced, freeride | 0.98 and +7 cm | 183 |
Questions
What size skis do I need for my height?
Start at your height and adjust for ability: skis should reach between your chin and the top of your head. A 175 cm intermediate on all-mountain skis lands around 166 cm, with a sensible range of 161 to 171 cm.
Should I get longer or shorter skis?
Shorter skis turn more easily and forgive mistakes, which suits beginners, bumps and tight trees. Longer skis are steadier at speed and float better in deep snow, at the cost of quickness. Within your range, pick shorter for control and longer for stability.
Why are powder skis sized longer?
More surface area keeps the ski on top of deep snow instead of sinking, and powder skis carry more rocker, which makes them ski shorter than their measured length. Sizing up compensates for both.
Does my weight change the answer?
Yes, within the range rather than outside it. A skier who is heavy for their height bends the ski more and should lean to the longer end; a light skier to the shorter end.
I know my height in feet and inches — what do I enter?
Multiply feet by 30.48 and inches by 2.54, then add. 5 ft 9 in is 152.4 plus 22.9, about 175 cm. Ski lengths are always quoted in centimetres.
How exact is this number?
It is a guideline, not a fitting. Sizing differs between brands and models, and shape, weight, snow and style all shift it. Use the number to narrow the shortlist, then check the maker's own chart.
Sources and last check
Information, not professional advice.