How To Measure Touring Cross Country Skis

Choosing the correct size of touring cross country skis depends on variables such as your skill level, weight, height and what type of skiing you wish to do. Skiers with more experience may prefer a shorter or longer ski. Your wieght can play into the stiffness and length if you are of unordinary proportions, a shop employee can help you with that. As you become more experienced you will be able to determine what best works for your style, this guide is for the beginning skier.

Step 1

Measure your height and convert to centimeters as cross country ski lengths are measured in centimeters.

Step 2

Determine if you are going to be skiing on groomed trails with stiff snow or on ungroomed trail with soft snow. You will want to choose a narrower ski for skiing on stiff snow and a wider ski if skiing on soft snow or with a heavy pack on your back.

Step 3

Determine if you want a ski that is easier to steer or a ski that is more stable and faster. Shorter skis will give you more steering control. Longer skills will allow for more stability and longer gliding. If you are going to be skiing on groomed trails with a track, longer skis are a better choice; if you will be doing more back-country skiing off-trail you will want a shorter ski for greater maneuverability.

Step 4

Ski brands have their own sizing for the most part, depending on the factors that they have built into the ski. The traditional measuring rule for classical skis to allow for a favorable mix of both glide length and striding is to have skis that are anywhere between 110 percent to 120 percent of your height, or that reach to your wrist when holding your hands overhead.