How to choose Alpine Ski length?

How long skis should be depending on your height? (men and women)

If women's piste skis often feature lighter constructions that can be quite specific, the process for choosing the size of the skis remain identical for men and women.

By the end of this guide, you should have a size range of lengths suitable for you. You can narrow down these according to your weight and height to pick the proper ski length. This means heavier or taller skiers will go for the higher values in the suggested range while the lighter ones will stick to shorter lengths.

This guide will help you define the recommended size for your piste skis and all-mountain skis. If you're looking for advice about freestyle skis to hit the terrain park or freeride skis for powder, you should check out one of the following guides: how to choose the length of a freestyle ski or how to choose the length of a freeride ski.

What size ski should you get for piste skiing ?

Piste skis are pretty narrow with a waist width varying from 70 to 80 mm. They come with a front tip and flat tail as they are designed to glide forward only (no switch skiing!). Some of them may come with a rocker in order to enhance turn entries and transitions, as well as manoeuvrability as slower speeds. Skis with rockers are generally easier to manage and more forgiving. Nevertheless, they are the ones that provide the best grip on groomed snow. This traction, or edge hold, is maximised by the camber of the ski.

Of course, the ski length you're going to pick depends on your skiing level and on the ski construction. This is why, on Glisshop, we ranked our piste skis into 3 categories: recreational skis, performance skis and racing skis.

First, we think it's important for you to understand the difference between a racing ski and a real competition ski. Competition skis stick to the FIS norm (International Ski Federation), they come in fixed lengths required by the Federation. Racing skis are derived from competition skis but there are no obligations in terms of length. This means you are free to choose the size that best suits your skills and needs.

Let's go through the basics for choosing the right length for your racing piste ski:

If you're looking for slalom thrills and quick turns you want a ski that's 15 to 20cm (6-8 inches) shorter than you. A shorter length ensures more liveliness, and the tight turning radius allows for linking short and snappy turns.

What length for a performance piste ski?

These performance skis are a little softer than racing skis and easier to manage. Their turning radius is close to 15 meters which allows to mix turn shapes at will. If you like varying styles and laying both short and long turns on the same slope then this is a good choice. It is often referred to as multiturning radius. For a ski like this, aim for a length between 5 and 15cm (2 to 6 inches) under your height. The shorter the ski, the more responsive and livelier, the longer the ski, the more powerful and stable on harder snow.

Choosing the right size for recreational piste skis

Recreational skis are the most flexible and the most forgiving skis from our piste selection. They allow for quick and smooth progression. They are a good choice also for skiers who focus on fun rather than on speed and performance. They deliver a pleasant feel and they don't require much efforts to be steered. For this kind of skis, we recommend a length between 5 and 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) under your height.

This size range can be narrowed down depending on your ability level. Beginners and intermediate skiers will go for the shorter length in their range (10 to 15 cm under height) to get a ski that's smooth and easy to control. Advanced skiers will prefer a longer ski for more stability. Head for the greater lengths (5 to 10cm under height) in this case.

In a nutshell:

The construction of an all-mountain ski is pretty similar to a traditional alpine ski's but the sidecuts are different. Skis in this category are wider and come in widths ranging between 80 and 100 mm. They often (if not always) feature a rocker in the tip for added float on soft snow and can sometimes come with a lighter tail rocker providing enhanced manoeuverability on powder and crud snow.

These skis can be classified in two categories:

All-mountain skis 70% piste:

These skis have a waist width between 80 and 90 mm and they're primarily intended for skiing on piste or groomed snow while allowing for occasional powder forays.

All-mountain skis 50% piste:

These ones are wider and feature waist widths generally between 90 and 100 mm. They offer balanced performance with a solid grip on hard snow and a loose floaty feel on soft snow. They are truly versatile and feel comfortable on all terrains.

Your ability level has a large influence on the length of your all-mountain skis: 

If you are a beginner or intermediate skier, a ski between 5 and 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) under your height sounds about right. It may not be as floaty as longer skis but, the idea is to maximise agility and to favour progression.

However, if you are an advanced skier, you can grab something longer. A ski that's your height or 5 cm shorter (2 inches less) is good, it will feel more stable and and float better.

If you are an expert skier, feel free to add even more length. A few extra centimetres (1 or 2 inches) will boost floatation even more and will provide rock-solid stability at high speed.

Ski size chart: