Skiers use poles for a variety of purposes. When you ski on flat terrains, your poles can help move you along the ground. When you ski on a steep mountainside, the poles keep your body in a forward-facing position to help you get down the hill efficiently. Using a ski pole that is the right size is important because the wrong-sized pole can make your trek harder, forcing you to expend more energy. Size your ski poles according to your both your overall height and your arm measurements.
Step 1
Get your accurate height measurement with a tape measure. Though every person has a unique build, the primary basis on which ski poles are sized is your overall height. Ski poles are measured in centimeters, and pole lengths generally begin at 100 cm.
Step 2
Choose a pole according to the type of skiing you prefer. Cross-country poles range from 100 cm to 170 cm, depending on your height. People less than 5 feet tall should use poles between 100 cm and 130 cm, at which point you'll add 2 to 5 cm for every inch taller you stand. Classic and touring poles are a little shorter than skating poles.
Downhill ski pole lengths are available in 5-cm increments. Sports Outlet USA suggests using a 100-cm to 105-cm pole if you are less than 5 feet tall. For every inch that you stand taller than 5 feet, you'll generally add about 3 cm to your pole size and then round up to the nearest pole size. Downhill poles are not as long as cross-country poles, so a 6-foot-plus tall person will most likely use a 140 cm pole even though the height measurements would add up to a longer pole.
Step 3
Use your arm length as a determining factor to size your ski poles, according to Sports Outlet USA. Hold your arms up in an L-shape so that your elbows are at 90-degree angles and your fists are in front of your face. Run a tape measure from the top of your hand to the floor. Add 2 inches to this measurement and convert to centimeters by multiplying the number of inches by 2.54 to get your ski pole measurement. This type of measurement takes into consideration that people of the same height may have different arm lengths and would need different size poles.
For example, if your arm-to-floor measurement is 55 inches, add 2 for a total of 57 inches. Multiply 57 by 2.54 to get 144.78 cm. Round up to 145 cm for your pole length.
Tips and Warnings
- Children do not need to use ski poles, especially if they are very young and short when they learn to ski. The poles may actually get in the way of the child's maneuvering and can hamper movement. Wait until your child is older, taller and a more experienced skier before introducing ski poles.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
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