How to Choose Skis and Ski Length Chart

What Length Should My Skis Be?

The length of your ski depends on your height, weight, skiing style & ability. There isn't an exact formula for determining the right size but in general the proper ski length should be between your chin and the top of your head. For example, a skier that is 6' tall will want to look for a skis between 170 - 190 cm. The xact right size for you will depend on your skiing ability and style. Some things to consider as well are the ski category, type of terrain and snow you'll be skiing in. Beginner skiers will tend to want a shorter ski for easier turn initiation and stability, whereas an advance skier will want longer skis.

When to Size Up or Size Down your skis

There are several reasons to choose a shorter or longer ski within your size range. A shorter ski provides easier turn initiations however the trade off is less stability at higher speeds. Rockered skis are easier to pivot between turns can be skied slightly longer than camber skis.

Skis by Ability Level

Ability level has become somewhat less relevant for choosing skis as ski technology has made it possible for a beginner to ski a much wider variety of skis. Still, there are certainly features that differentiate skis, making them better suited to skiers of different ability levels.

Beginners / Intermediate

Someone who is new to skiing or a skier working on linking smoother turns falls into this ability level. Typical beginner ski qualities include: softer flex, narrower widths, composite, foam or softer wood cores, and capped constructions. The idea is to create a ski that is easy to turn and very forgiving if you do make a mistake. The addition of rocker in the tip and tail tends to make a ski less "hooky" as well as aiding turn initiation.

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Intermediate / Advance

The majority of skiers and skis fall into this level, whether you like to carve on groomers or venture into the powder. These skis are generally somewhat wider than beginner-intermediate skis, with a stronger wood core and sandwich sidewall construction. Depending on the type of ski, intermediate-advanced level skis may have full camber, rocker, or some combination of the two.

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Advance / Expert

Regardless of terrain choice, advanced to expert level skis are for the more aggressive and skilled skier. You will often find layers of Titanal, carbon, flax, or other materials meant to deliver better performance at speed or in demanding conditions. Advanced-expert skis are generally stiffer both longitudinally and torsionally than intermediate level skis and can be challenging at slower speeds. You'll find expert level carving, park, all-mountain and powder skis with a wide variety of rocker configurations.

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Ski Style, Dimensions & Feel

There are many factors that contribute to the way a ski feels and performs, with a couple of common measurements used to describe them. You will usually see ski dimensions specified by a 3-number measurement for the tip/waist/tail, like 115/90/107mm. In this example 115mm refers to the tip width, 90mm refers to the waist width, and 107mm refers to the tail width. Other factors like flex and feel are more subjective.

Ski Waist Width

The waist width is one of the most commonly referred to specs outside of length. This is the measurement at a ski’s width at the middle (waist) of the ski, which is usually the narrowest point. Waist width has a large influence on how easy the ski is to turn, and how it will handle powder and non-grommed snow. Narrower waist widths are quicker edge to edge during turns, while wider waist widths provide better flotation in powder and choppy snow.

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Ski Turning Radius
Turn radius is the shape of a ski determined by its tip, waist, and tail width, usually expressed in meters. The narrower a ski’s waist is in relation to its tip and tail, the shorter the turn radius and therefore the deeper the sidecut. A ski with a deep sidecut (short turn radius) will make quicker turns, while a ski with a subtle sidecut (long turn radius) will turn more slowly and is typically more stable at high speeds. Some modern skis combine two or more radii on a single edge.

Ski Rocker & Camber

Camber This is the traditional profile for skis and snowboards. Camber is a slight upward curve in the middle of a ski or board, with the contact points - where an unweighted ski or board contacts the snow - close to the ends. Camber requires more precise turn initiation and offers superb precision with plenty of power on groomed terrain and harder snow. The rider's weight puts an even and concentrated pressure on the edge from tip to tail, resulting in increased edgehold and better "pop." Racers and high level park riders often prefer camber.

Rocker Rocker (also called reverse-camber) is just as it sounds – camber turned upside down. All skis and snowboards, rockered or cambered, when put on edge and weighted in a turn achieve reverse-camber. Cambered skis and boards produce more pressure on the snow at the tip and tail since they have to flex further to achieve this curve. The term rocker is borrowed from watersports where rocker is common. Rocker skis and snowboards offer superior float in the soft snow and increased ease of turn initiation with less chance of "catching" an edge. As skis in general get wider, rocker helps keep the new shapes maneuverable for a wider range of skiers. Wide ski and board shapes designed primarily for powder are often rockered.

Rocker/Flat/Rocker