How to find the right length for skis

What length skis Should you choose? In this guide you will get a comprehensive overview of the length choices of the different ski types - both for women and men .
When it comes to choosing the right ski for your alpine skiing holiday, it can be a jungle to navigate the different types, lengths and dimensions. The length of the ski depends on several factors.

What type of skis should you use? (off-piste, all mountain or on piste)

• • Your level of skiing
  
  
• • Your height
  
  
• • Your weight

Length of piste skis

If you are going to find a piste ski of the right length, it is important that you are honest with yourself about your level and weight. It is also important to know a little about the stiffness of the ski and its turning radius. The stiffness of the ski affects how hard the ski has to be pressed to give you the right transaction and angle of the turn.

If you are heavy or have good technique, you can better press the ski into the right angle and can therefore control a slightly longer ski. In relation to the ski's turning radius, the length of the ski should match what it is designed for.

Skis with a short turning radius (<13m) are designed for small and fast turns. A ski with a medium turning radius (approx. 13-17m) is made for short and medium-length turns, while a ski with a high turning radius (>17m) is made for large carving turns.

It is important to note that the longer the turning radius of the ski, the harder it will be to stand on. If you are a beginner or lightly trained skier, it is recommended to have a low to medium turning radius.

• • A ski with a lower turning radius (<13m) should basically go to your chin
  
  
• • A ski with a medium turning radius (13-17m) should basically go to your nose
  
  
• • A ski with a high turning radius (>17m) should generally be the same height as you.

Length of all mountain skis

If you are looking for an all-mountain ski, it is important to keep your own level and weight in mind. If you are a skilled and heavy skier, you will benefit from a longer ski. When it comes to all-mountain ski lengths, it is primarily your level and weight that determine the length of the ski. It is also important to be aware that the longer and stiffer the ski becomes, the harder it becomes to control.

• • If you are a lightly trained runner with low weight, a length around the chin is recommended.
  
  
• • If you are an experienced runner with low weight, a length around the nose is recommended.
  
  
• • If you are a moderately experienced heavy runner, a length that goes around your nose is recommended.
  
  
• • If you are an experienced and heavy runner, a length of approximately the same height as yourself is recommended.

Length of off-piste skis

When buying off-piste skis, it is often seen that they are bought too short. This is because an off-piste ski should be at least the same height as you or taller.
When choosing the length of an off-piste ski, it is important to consider your weight and the ski's construction. Off-piste skis are built with a large rocker in the tip of the ski and in some cases also in the tail of the ski.

If you have an off-piste ski where the tip rocker starts early, there is less edge touching the piste, which is why the ski should be longer. If you have both tip and tail rocker, there is even less edge touching the piste, which is why the ski should preferably be 5-10 cm higher than yourself. Your weight also has an impact on the length of the off-piste ski. The heavier you are, the longer the ski should be to give you the right float.

It is also important to be aware that off-piste skis are NOT beginner skis, which is why your level is assumed to be advanced and is therefore not relevant for choosing length.

• • Are you a light skier and the ski only has tip rocker = length of approx. your own height
  
  
• • Are you a light skier and have both tip and tail rocker = length of approx. + 5 cm above your own height
  
  
• • Are you a heavy skier and the ski only has tip rocker = length of approx. + 5cm above your own height
  
  
• • Are you a heavy skier and have both tip and tail rocker = length of approx. + 10cm above your own height