Skiing is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. A variety of factors can impact how long your skis should be, including type, style and height.
Skier’s Height and Weight
Ultimately, a skier’s height and weight will be critical in determining the right size ski. The following chart should help you choose the best size for your body type:
- 5’10” / 150 lbs = 151cm length
- 6’0″ / 175 lbs = 170cm length
Skis Sizes and Styles.
You can choose the right size ski for you by following these guidelines:
- If you’re a beginner skier or have been skiing for a while but are still learning to turn, consider buying a wider ski with a smaller waist. This will allow for more stability during turns and help improve your overall balance on the snow.
- For experts who like to make tight turns on steep terrain, narrow skis work best because they give you more control over your movements.
- Powder skis are designed to float on top of powder and offer better maneuverability than other types of skis at slower speeds.
Ski Style, Length and Type
When selecting a ski, it is important to consider style, length and type of ski.
Skis come in a variety of sizes and styles that can be divided into three broad categories: powder skis, all-mountain skis and park skis.
Powder skis are designed to float on top of powder while all-mountain skis are generally considered the most versatile style of ski.
All-mountain skis tend to fall somewhere between narrow and wide; they may be shaped for specific conditions such as groomers or bumps but will work well in both conditions if you have the skill level for it.
This is because these types of skis offer good edge hold at high speeds while also providing enough stability in slower speeds needed for carving turns through fresh snow when skiing on packed trails or groomed runs near resort boundaries.
Powder Skis
Powder skis are designed to float on top of powder, while all-mountain skis are generally considered the most versatile style.
A powder ski is designed to float on top of powder, while all-mountain skis are generally considered the most versatile style.
The Right Length Ski Starts with Your Height and Weight
Choosing the right length ski starts with your height and weight. There are other factors to consider, though, and it depends on the type of skiing you do.
The side-cut and width of your ski can also affect its length.
A skier who likes to carve back and forth is going to want a wider ski for stability; if you’re looking more for speed, then perhaps a narrower one would be better suited.
Your Weight May Also Affect Ski Selection
If you’re a heavier person, your ski should be longer.
The opposite is true for lighter skiers. For example, if you weigh 175 pounds (79 kg), use a ski that’s at least 169 centimeters (66.5 inches) long and has an average flex underfoot.
If you weigh 210 pounds (95 kg), aim for a ski at least 181 centimeters (71 inches) long with a stiff flex rating of 7 or greater.
If your weight is within the manufacturer’s recommended range but far from either extreme—say, 130 to 180 pounds—it’s best to choose one that’s slightly longer than recommended by either side of this range: roughly 170 cm/65 in or 175 cm/69 in
Skis Should Be
As a rule of thumb, your skis should be between your chin and the top of your head in height.
If they are too long you will have trouble keeping them under control, but if they are too short it is difficult to maintain balance.
However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule: try on different lengths to see what feels right for you. If you’re unsure about how long your ski should be or what size to get please ask a professional!
How Narrow or Wide Ski
Side-cut refers to how narrow or wide a ski is at different points along its length.
This can be measured by looking at the radius of curvature, which is measured in millimeters from the tip of one edge of your ski to its opposite side.
A larger radius means that your ski has a rounder shape and will be more stable when turning on soft snow, while a smaller radius makes for tighter turns and better performance on hard-packed snow.
Side-cut is also important because it affects how quickly your ski moves across the surface as well as how much control you have over it while gliding through trees or making short jibs (think slopestyle).
Depending on what type of terrain you’re planning on hitting up, side-cut should be appropriate for your weight, style of skiing and type of snow (wet vs. dry).
Shorter Skis for Manuverability and Longer Skis for Stability
Ski length is important to consider, as skis are designed to be used in different ways. Specifically, they’re designed to be used on different surfaces and in different conditions. For example:
- Skis meant for groomed trails will have wider bases than those meant for deep powder or soft snow.
- Skis meant for manuverability will have shorter lengths than those meant for stability and control.
The Right Length of Ski
The length of your ski depends on a variety of factors, including the type and style. These factors also determine the side-cut, which is the curve in the tip and tail of your ski.
The more aggressive you want to be with your skiing, the longer you’ll need to go for a side-cut.
Traditionally, skis have been measured using centimeters. However, some manufacturers now use millimeters as their unit measurement because they’re considered more precise than centimeters.
Their reasoning is that 100mm equals 1/10th of a meter; therefore 10m should be equal to 1000mm (a full meter).
Conclusion
When selecting a ski, it is important to consider style, length and type of ski. Skis come in a variety of sizes and styles.
As a rule of thumb, your skis should be between your chin and the top of your head in height.
Side-cut refers to how narrow or wide a ski is at different points along its length; for example, you can use shorter skis for manuverability and longer skis for stability
