SIZING

Length, of all ski attributes, length is the most straightforward. For a totally ‘normal’ ski, it’s should come up to the bridge of your nose.

Size up a few centimeters if:

  1. You ski in 1ft+ of snow often or ski in steep (i.e. if you fall you won’t stop until the bottom) terrain often. This is more indicative of Western resorts typically.
  2. The skis you have some rocker to them. The more rocker, the more you should size up - a powder ski, for example, which has the most rocker of anything, should be 5-7cm longer. For most skis out there with rocker, an additional 3-4cm will be just fine.
  3. If you like a longer ski! If you don’t know if you like a longer ski, then let me tell you: you don’t!
  4. On the heavier side (20lbs+) for your weight
  5. Ski every other weekend or more during the winter (i.e. you ski often).

Size down a few centimeters if:

  1. You’re picking a carving specific ski - i.e. doesn't have rocker or early-rise to it. 
  2. Ski in tight trees often (I’m talking “I just can’t enough of the trees!” kind of often)
  3. On the lighter side (20lbs under) for your weight.
  4. Ski a few times a year, but not almost every weekend. 

 

Now, remember this is all personal preference. I have some friends who ski a ski 5cm above their head - but they are 25 years old and ski more days than I do. I also know people who ride a ski below their chin because “they just like a shorter ski”. At the end of the day though, remember a few cm one way or the other won't make a big difference. Your body will adapt - if you talked to someone who said this isn’t true, they are probably 3 times older than me and remember when skis didn’t have edges. Times are different - they need to move on (and so do you).

 

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