Choosing ski size is not easy for a ski beginner. The large variety of skis on the market will make you confused. Plus, you can choose ski length by height, weight, ability, ski style, and terrain. Here is a handy ski size chart and ski length calculated table for kids, women, and men.
For ski beginners, the best way is to measure your height and weight and follow the ski size chart to get the perfect ski length size. These ski size charts and calculated tables are given in height, weight, and ability. Perfect for finding women, men, and kids ski sizes.
Table of Contents
Ski Length for Kids, Women, and Men
Getting the right ski length is essential for skiers, especial for ski beginners.
Longer skis have more stability, allow you to ski at higher speeds and float better in snow. But it requires you better skill to turn as it has a larger turning radius. Also, it’s hard to steer if too long for you.
Shorter skis are easier to control, make turns, and respond quickly. This is the reason shorter skis are generally easier for ski beginners.
However, if the skis are too short, they can’t support your weight. It’s hard to maneuver and lacks response. Also, the skis will not absorb vibration when at high speed.
The right ski length supports your weight and gives you proper control.
Determining the ski length by your height can be easy. In general, your ski length is somewhere between your chin and the top of your head. For example, if you’re 5’4″, your ski length size is between 150cm and 168cm. The exact right ski length size will depend on your skiing ability and style.
Right Ski Size for Kids
The first thing you want to avoid is thinking of ‘they will grow into.’ Kids grow fast, and many parents consider getting longer skis for kids will last longer. However, skis too long or too short is unsuitable for kids, like skis for adults. Kids will find it hard to steer if the skis are too long. Especially, kids are skiing for the first time. It will give more than its fair share of frustration.
Height and weight are essential determinants in selecting the correct size skis for kids. The kid’s skis size chart below already did the calculation to make it easy. You can find the proper ski length for kids in two steps.
Tip: If your kid is a robust and fast ripper, choose the longer ski. Because longer skis have better performance in speeding.
Ski Size for Skinny and Overweight
A good rule of thumb is to choose shorter skis if your weight is less than the average for your height. If you weigh more than average, you should choose longer skis. Longer skis will allow heavier skiers to make cuts with much greater ease.
Most ski sizing charts stop at users who are 220 pounds (100kg) or above. It doesn’t mean people who weigh over 220 pounds (100 kilograms) can’t ski. All you need to do is contact the ski shop to check if they can accommodate you.
Are you within a healthy weight range for your height?
Child and Teen BMI Calculator>>
Find Skis Length Size in 2 Steps
It’s super easy in two steps:
- Determine your height and weight.
- Find your height on the below chart.
Side Note: If your height is in between and you are unsure to size up or down, I suggest you check your weight. If you are light for your height, use the shorter height. On the other hand, use the taller height if you are heavy.
For example, a 5’3″ and 90 lbs woman’s ideal ski length for beginners is 145cm. By the same talk, a 5’3″ and 130 lbs woman should get 150cm skis at beginner level.
Ski Size Chart and Length Calculator: Women and Men
This is a ski length metric. Different ski brands may have other measurements. Please use this chart for reference only.
| Height (ft. in. / cm) | Female Weight (lbs / kg) | Male Weight (lbs/kg) | Beginner Ski Lengths (cm) | Intermediate Ski Lengths (cm) | Expert Ski Lengths (cm) |
| 4’0″ / 122cm | 39.46 Ibs / 17.9 kg | 49.38 Ibs / 22.4 kg | 110 | 120 | 128 |
| 4’2″ / 127cm | 49 Ibs / 22.5 kg | 59.52 Ibs / 27 kg | 115 | 125 | 133 |
| 4’4″ / 132cm | 59.75 Ibs / 27.1 kg | 69.67 Ibs / 31.6 kg | 120 | 130 | 138 |
| 4’6″ / 137cm | 63-77 lbs / 28.5-34.9 kg | 63-77 lbs / 28.5-34.9 kg | 125 | 135 | 143 |
| 4’8″ / 142cm | 72-88 lbs / 32.6-39.9 kg | 74-90 lbs / 33.5-40.8 kg | 130 | 140 | 148 |
| 4’10” / 147cm | 81-99 lbs / 36.4-44.9 kg | 85-103 lbs / 38.5-46.7 kg | 135 | 145 | 153 |
| 5’0″ / 152cm | 90-110 lbs / 40.8-49.9 kg | 95-117 lbs / 43.1-53 kg | 140 | 150 | 158 |
| 5’2″ / 158cm | 99-121 lbs / 44.9-54.9 kg | 106-130 lbs / 48.1-58.9 kg | 145 | 155 | 163 |
| 5’4″ / 163cm | 108-132 lbs / 49-59.9 kg | 117-143 lbs / 53-64.8 kg | 150 | 160 | 168 |
| 5’6″ / 168cm | 117-143 lbs / 53-64.8 kg | 128-156 lbs / 58-70.7 kg | 155 | 165 | 173 |
| 5’8″ / 173cm | 126-154 lbs / 57.1-69.8 kg | 139-169 lbs / 63-76.6 kg | 160 | 170 | 178 |
| 5’10” / 178cm | 135-165 lbs / 61.2-74.8 kg | 149-183 lbs / 67.6-83 kg | 165 | 175 | 183 |
| 6’0″ / 183cm | 144-176 lbs / 65.3-79.8 kg | 160-196 lbs / 72.6-88.9 kg | 170 | 180 | 188 |
| 6’2″ / 188cm | 153-187 lbs / 69.4-84.8 kg | 171-209 lbs / 77.5-94.8 kg | 175 | 185 | 193 |
| 6’4″ / 193cm | 162-198 lbs / 73.5-89.8 kg | 182-222 lbs / 82.5-100.6 kg | 180 | 190 | 198 |
Are you within a healthy weight range for your height? BMI calculator>>
Kids Ski Size Chart and Length Calculator
Generally, kids’ Every child develops differently, and measurements may differ by different ski brands. The following information is for reference only.
| Age (yrs) | Height (ft. in. / cm) | Weight (lbs / kg) | Beginner Ski Lengths (cm) | Intermediate Ski Lengths (cm) | Expert Ski Lengths (cm) |
| 2 | 2’10” / 86cm | 26.5 lbs / 12 kg | 75 | 85 | 93 |
| 3 | 3’2″ / 97cm | 31.5 lbs / 14.2 kg | 85 | 95 | 103 |
| 4 | 3’4″ / 102cm | 34 lbs / 15.4 kg | 90 | 100 | 108 |
| 5 | 3’6″ / 107cm | 39.5 lbs / 17.9 kg | 95 | 105 | 113 |
| 3’8″ / 112cm | 40 lbs / 18 kg | 100 | 110 | 118 | |
| 6 | 3’10” / 117cm | 46 lbs / 18 kg | 105 | 115 | 123 |
| 7 | 4’0″ / 122cm | 39.46 Ibs / 17.9 kg | 110 | 120 | 128 |
| 8 | 4’2″ / 127cm | 49 Ibs / 22.5 kg | 115 | 125 | 133 |
| 9 | 4’4″ / 132cm | 59.75 Ibs / 27.1 kg | 120 | 130 | 138 |
| 10 | 4’6″ / 137cm | 63-77 lbs / 28.5-34.9 kg | 125 | 135 | 143 |
| 11 | 4’8″ / 142cm | 79 lbs / 36 kg | 130 | 140 | 148 |
| 12 | 4’10” / 147cm | 91 to 118 lbs / 41-54 kg | 135 | 145 | 153 |
| 13 | 5’0″ / 152cm | 100 lbs / 45 kg | 140 | 150 | 158 |
| 14 | 5’4″ / 163cm | 110 lbs / 50 kg | 145 | 155 | 163 |
Child and Teen BMI Calculator>>
Check Ability Level to Decide Ski Length
Nowadays, ski technology is becoming more and more developed. Ability level has become somewhat less relevant for choosing skis. However, some features are designed to suit the different ability skiers.
If you are not sure which level you are at, check below:
Beginners: People who are new to skiing or still learning how to control and maintain balance on their skis.
Intermediate: Skiers are comfortable linking turns together and maintaining balance on their skis. Have some ski techniques and ski control skills.
Experts: Expert-level skis are faster, more aggressive, and skilled. People are in control of any type of terrain, pitch, and snow condition.
Skiing the First Time Tips and Tricks>>
Skiing Trail Difficulty Symbols
Skiing trail difficulty symbols refer to a mountain resort trail designation system. Each sign means a different level of the trail. You can see on the terrain map and know which runs and lift you are going to. You won’t have access to expert run if you’re a beginner, right?
When to Size Up or Down Your Ski
Once you have determined your suggested ski size range, there are several reasons to choose a longer or shorter ski. These include your ability level, ski style, and what terrain you will ski the most.
Choosing ski length by height, weight, and ability are common way. The ski size chart for women, men, and kids calculated the ski length by ability level. So that you can find the right size in no time.
However, you may look for skis to use in specific cases. That way, ski style and terrains are the factors to increase or decrease ski size.
Below are several reasons to size up or down your skis.
You may want to increase your ski length, if:
- You weigh more than average for your height.
- You like skiing fast and making longer turns.
- You plan to do most of the runs off-trail.
- You want a ski with a lot of rockers.
- You plan to twin-tip ski.
You may want to decrease your ski length, if:
- You weigh less than average for your height.
- You prefer making short, quick turns and seldom ski fast.
- You want a carving ski with only camber, no rocker.
Now, you may say, “wow, it’s just too much, mate.”
Information overload?
No worries. Basically, the ski length from the ski size charts above is good enough for beginners.
You only do extra size up or down if you have some reasons I mentioned earlier. And don’t worry if it’s going to be complicated. I will explain to you why and give you the numbers. You only need to do “Uh-huh, uh-huh” and do a simple plus/minus calculation with the ski length you calculated above.
It’s like:
Your Ski Length ± Numbers = Your Current Ski Length
Ski Length: Terrain Adjustment
Which terrain you will ski the most is a consideration to improve your skill. There are skis specially designed for different terrains. You also can size up or down ski length for your preferred terrain.
Side Note: Beginners don’t need to consider this part. Because these best skis for beginners are most designed for all-mountain. You only need to adjust ski length with the terrain when you get better skills and ideas for skiing.
Choose between ability modification and terrain. Then plus skiing style adjustment.
Your Ski Length ± Terrain Modification = Your Current Ski Length.
For example, an advanced skier is looking for freestyle skis. The ski size he gets from the ski size chart shown above is 170cm. His current ski size will be 179cm.
170cm + 9cm = 179cm
Terrain Calculation for Adult
| Terrain Type | Beginner (cm) | Intermediate (cm) | Advanced (cm) | Expert (cm) |
| Piste/Groomers | minus 3 | no change | plus 3 | plus 6 |
| All-Mountain | no change | plus 3 | plus 6 | plus 9 |
| All-Mountain/Powder/Freeride | plus 3 | plus 6 | plus 9 | plus 12 |
| Backcountry/Uphill Access/Big Mountain/Touring | plus 6 | plus 9 | plus 12 | plus 15 |
| Freestyle/Terrain Park | plus 3 | plus 6 | plus 9 | plus 12 |
Please use this table for reference only as it may differ between ski brands.
Terrain Calculation for Kids and Youth
| Terrain Type | Beginner (cm) | Intermediate (cm) | Advanced (cm) | Expert (cm) |
| Piste/Groomers | minus 3 | no change | plus 3 | plus 6 |
| All-Mountain | no change | plus 3 | plus 6 | plus 9 |
| All-Mountain/Powder/Freeride | plus 3 | plus 6 | plus 9 | plus 12 |
| Backcountry/Uphill Access/Big Mountain/Touring | plus 3 | plus 6 | plus 9 | plus 12 |
| Freestyle/Terrain Park | plus 3 | plus 6 | plus 9 | plus 12 |
The information is for reference only. Please subject to the desired ski brand information.
Ski Length: Skiing Style Adjustment
Skiing style will be in comparison to others in your same ability level. You can be a cautious expert skier or an aggressive beginner.
Your Ski Length ± Skiing Style Modification = Your Current Ski Length.
| Cautious | minus 3 |
| Average | no change |
| Aggressive | plus 3 |
Each ski brand may be different. Please use this chart for reference only.
Conclusion
Simply use your height and weight to check the ski size charts shown above to get your current ski length.
If you want to go a little bit in advance, you can adjust ski length by our preferred terrain or skiing style.
After you get the right ski length, you are ready to purchase the perfect skis for yourself.
Best Beginner Skis for Adult>>
If you want to go more professional. Additionally, check the Ski Width, Stiffness and Flex Pattern, Rocker Profile, and Ski Turn Radius. Generally, you will see these details in the item description online.
