Ski Length Formula

There have been a lot of questions lately about the right length of ski for a person.

It got me to thinking about my own skis. My skis are 167 in length, I am 6ft, 13st, and an advanced intermediate. Should there be a certain length of ski for me?

So is there a formula or rule of thumb for working out lengths? Or even a minimum/maximum length people should use for their height, wieght, ability etc?

Obviously, the most common form of assigning length is in relation to height. The problem is: If you are a little bit out of proportion (weight - height) that concept can lead to issues. For example. I am 6'2" tall, so, most people would want to put me somewhere in the 180cm range. But, I only weigh 150lbs, so, a ski that long is very difficult to flex. I am on 168's that a wise shop person sold me, and I love them. I have skied some 174's that weren't too bad. I saw a site recently that had a neat chart that recommended ski length based on weight, then added length for skill. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I saw it.

Additionally, intended use will affect a length choice. But, that is rather obvious. :)

Hirsty,
There is no formula. The ski world is in a state of flux, due to many changes in ski design and ski types.

However there are some basic guidelines related to where you ski and what you want out of a ski!

What Dshenberger note d also is correct. You have a unique physique , a near perfect Ectomorph!
Do not let others give you a ski based on weight or height!

Use rather where you ski and what you want from ski!

Fatties for serious powder then to be long at 175-180 cm. since they have soft long flex.

Serious GS very fast skiers will ski in the 170-180 range.

The very technical, very sharp skiers who like tight steep icy terrain will go for the SL skis in the 165- 170 range!

I see your next question in your eyes! I want an "all-round" all terrain ski! So which size.

This is where you have to make concessions! Nothing comes free! What do you want? Where do you ski most of the time?

I have a Metron B5 that carries me everywhere ( except ice) it is 170 cm, Love it! Try it!

My personal observation when I visit ski shops, is that most sales people sell too short skis! They want you to get instant control turn feel! However on a too short ski you will pick up bad habits!

Hope this answers your concerns.

Pavel,

Now you bring another question! What bad habits are common from using too short a ski? I am curious because I have been wondering about the shorter skis, and why not go with shorter if you want quick turns, and don't need high speed stability. I skied a Metron 9 in 162 at a demo day, and had a blast! It was incredibly fun on an advanced green(is that an oxymoron?), but I don't know how happy I would have been on a black at higher speed. :)

I have a pair of low end K2 Apache's in 174, and, yes, they turn fairly quick, but there is no "snap" to them, so I find it much harder to make edge transitions than on my Volkl S4(168cm). I guess what I am saying with that is: a stiffer ski sometimes might not have to be as long?? Any thoughts?

My first purchase were Blizzard Spirit 190`s and i`m 5ft 8".Two kids later and more than a few extra pounds i ski on a much shorter ski.Come to think of it i think they are in the loft gathering dust.
( future heirlooms i think not lol ) :lol:

Dshenberger wrote:Obviously, the most common form of assigning length is in relation to height. The problem is: If you are a little bit out of proportion (weight - height) that concept can lead to issues.

That's basically correct, older skis were fairly standard so a rough rule of height would yield a general relation to build and hence ski length. The reason that matters is that the ski is essentially turned by bending it and arcing the edge around. That's also the reason the rule has some wrinkles now, with a radical sidecut it's not so hard to arc a ski so you ski it shorter and stiffer.

For powder you'd look at something like 180 or above and you'll see guys now on 200 skis again, even my current touring skis (which we ski short) are 185. For DH or GS boards it's the same 180-190 lenghts. While slalom are skied very short, just watching the Wengen slalom you see guys on 155 - 160 or so but they're very stiff and brutal (fun) skis for most people.

Most vendors have different size charts and they'll be telling you something about flex while the side cut of course you can just read off.

So, in answer to the original question, yes there's a formula but it's a function of weight/height/ability/style along with ski characteristics like flex and side cut with terrain factored in, too complex for a simple rule of thumb.

Dito ise this is why i hire now instead of purchasing, Something to do with the fact that each year i get more out of shape so i never ski the same each season. :oops:

AJ wrote:My first purchase were Blizzard Spirit 190`s and i`m 5ft 8".Two kids later and more than a few extra pounds i ski on a much shorter ski.Come to think of it i think they are in the loft gathering dust.
( future heirlooms i think not lol ) :lol:

Snap. In my Yoof I was sold a pair of Atomic 186's and I'm only a tiddler. These behemoths are currently taking up space in a loft.

The next set will be bought by a wiser head.