Whether you are a beginner or a pro, choosing the right size ski is important, because it can affect your performance. Factors that go into picking the right ski are your skill level, your height and weight and the kind of terrain you will be skiing. Sales people at ski shops can help you find the right size or, if you prefer to buy your skis online, you can use the guidelines below to find the correct size.
Step 1
Beginners and intermediate skiers should look for shorter skis, which are easier to turn and better for groomed trails. More advanced skis are more stable and better for off-trail skiing. If you ski more than 30 days per year and you are an intermediate level skier, you also may want to buy advanced skis because your skill level is likely to improve quickly.
Step 2
Some skis are made for a specific type of terrain. This doesn't mean they can't be used on any terrain, it just means they will perform better on certain terrain. For example, if you ski mostly in the backcountry, you may want slightly longer skis to give you more stability. If you ski mostly powder, you may want wider skis that float on top of the snow surface.
Step 3
Choose your ski length. As a general rule, skis should come to a point between your shoulders and the top of your head when you stand them on the floor.
Generally, a beginning skier should choose a ski that comes to her chin; an intermediate skier should choose a ski that comes to his nose; and an advanced skier should choose a ski that comes to her forehead. However, based on the type of terrain you ski, the right ski length may change. If you like to ski fast and make wide turns, choose a longer ski; if you like to take it slow and make quick turns, go with a shorter ski.
Step 4
Take into consideration your weight, height and gender. Women's skis are made for lighter frames and tend to be shorter and more flexible than men's skis. For example, an individual who is 5 feet 4 inches tall should choose a ski between 160 and 180 cm long. Depending on a person's weight, skill level and terrain preference, he should choose a ski that is at the shorter or longer end of that range, based on the information in Steps 1, 2 and 3. Consult a sizing chart like the one on Evogear.com for the range in which your ski size should fall.
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