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Ski length chart
Recommended ski length from your height, skill level and snow type — beginner, intermediate, advanced and powder, from 145 to 200 cm. Put in your height and the calculator works out the range.
★ SPORTS · SKI LENGTH CHART · BY HEIGHT & SKILL
Ski Length Chart: Find Your Size by Height & Skill 2026
At 175 cm (5'9"), an intermediate skier needs 165–175 cm skis. Put in your height, skill level and ski type and the calculator works out your recommended length range, in centimetres, rounded to real ski sizes.
The ski length chart
The table below covers the usual heights, with the recommended ski length for each skill level and for powder, in centimetres. The 175 cm row is the default — the calculator opens on it. Every cell is worked out from the stated rules, never hand-typed: beginner [h−15, h−10], intermediate [h−10, h], advanced [h−5, h+5], powder [h+5, h+15], every bound rounded to the nearest 5 cm.
| Height (cm) | Height (ft/in) | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced | Powder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | 4'9" | 130–135 | 135–145 | 140–150 | 150–160 |
| 150 | 4'11" | 135–140 | 140–150 | 145–155 | 155–165 |
| 155 | 5'1" | 140–145 | 145–155 | 150–160 | 160–170 |
| 160 | 5'3" | 145–150 | 150–160 | 155–165 | 165–175 |
| 165 | 5'5" | 150–155 | 155–165 | 160–170 | 170–180 |
| 170 | 5'7" | 155–160 | 160–170 | 165–175 | 175–185 |
| 175 | 5'9" | 160–165 | 165–175 | 170–180 | 180–190 |
| 180 | 5'11" | 165–170 | 170–180 | 175–185 | 185–195 |
| 185 | 6'1" | 170–175 | 175–185 | 180–190 | 190–200 |
| 190 | 6'3" | 175–180 | 180–190 | 185–195 | 195–205 |
| 195 | 6'5" | 180–185 | 185–195 | 190–200 | 200–210 |
| 200 | 6'7" | 185–190 | 190–200 | 195–205 | 205–215 |
How to use the chart
On the defaults — 175 cm, intermediate, all-mountain — the range is 165–175 cm, and the nearest table row is 175 cm. Ski length is measured in centimetres tip to tail. The ranges come from your height, not your weight — weight matters for bindings, not length. Beginners ski shorter (easier to turn), experts ski longer (more stable at speed); powder skis run longer because the extra length floats you. The table rounds every bound to the nearest 5 cm because real skis are sold in 5 cm steps. Always demo before you buy if you can.
Every branch, checked
160 cm intermediate: 150–160 cm. A shorter skier on the intermediate column, still in the middle of the table.
190 cm intermediate: 180–190 cm. Tall skiers need long skis — the intermediate range tops out just under their height.
175 cm beginner: 160–165 cm. The beginner column runs 10 to 15 cm under your height, so the turns come easier.
175 cm advanced: 170–180 cm. The advanced column straddles your height, 5 cm either side.
175 cm powder: 180–190 cm. Powder uses the powder column regardless of level — 5 to 15 cm over your height, so the extra length floats you.
150 cm beginner: 135–140 cm. The shortest beginner range in the branches, for a shorter skier just starting out.
172 cm intermediate: 160–170 cm — the bounds 162 and 172 round to the nearest 5 cm, 160 and 170. A height between table rows still lands on real ski sizes.
The reverses
Intermediate range for 165 cm: 155–165 cm — at 160 cm it is 150–160 cm. The star is CENTIMETRES.
Powder range for 190 cm: 195–205 cm — at 185 cm it is 190–200 cm. The star is CENTIMETRES.
Shortest height whose advanced range reaches 180 cm: 175 cm (170–180); 170 cm gives 165–175. The star is CENTIMETRES.
180 cm in feet and inches: 5'11" — 179 cm is 5'10". The star is FEET/INCHES.
Beginner lower bound for 200 cm: 185 cm — at 195 cm it is 180 cm. The star is CENTIMETRES.
First height whose powder range starts at 190 cm or more: 185 cm (190–200); 180 cm gives 185–195. The star is CENTIMETRES.
What the defaults assume
The table is first-principles from the stated rules — beginner [h−15, h−10], intermediate [h−10, h], advanced [h−5, h+5], powder [h+5, h+15], every bound rounded to the nearest 5 cm; ft/in = cm/2.54 rounded to the nearest inch — every figure derived, never hand-typed. The smallest row in the table is 145 cm: beginner 130–135, intermediate 135–145. The largest row is 200 cm: powder 205–215. A 140 cm skier — intermediate 130–140 — sits below the table; the nearest row is 145 cm. A 205 cm skier — intermediate 195–205 — sits above the table; the nearest row is 200 cm. Both are model-level outcomes, not errors: the math works for any height. A 172 cm skier — intermediate 160–170 cm — has nearest row 170 cm, 2 away vs 3 to 175.
Output · formula · meaning
| Output | Formula | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Height in ft/in | cm / 2.54, rounded to the nearest inch | 5'9". |
| Recommended range | beginner [h−15, h−10]; intermediate [h−10, h]; advanced [h−5, h+5]; powder [h+5, h+15], bounds to nearest 5 cm | 165–175 cm. |
| Nearest table row | closest table height to the input | 175 cm. |
| Intermediate range for 165 cm | [165−10, 165] to nearest 5 cm | 165 cm → 165 cm. |
| Powder range for 190 cm | [190+5, 190+15] to nearest 5 cm | 190 cm → 190 cm. |
| Shortest height whose advanced range reaches 180 cm | scan table heights ascending, advanced hi ≥ 180 | 175 cm → 175 cm. |
| 180 cm in feet and inches | 180 / 2.54, rounded to the nearest inch | 5'11" → 5'11". |
| Beginner lower bound for 200 cm | 200−15 to nearest 5 cm | 185 cm → 185 cm. |
| First height whose powder range starts at 190 cm or more | scan table heights ascending, powder lo ≥ 190 | 185 cm → 185 cm. |
| 160 cm intermediate | same model | 160 cm (5'3"), intermediate all-mountain: 150–160 cm, nearest table row 160 cm. |
| 190 cm intermediate | same model | 190 cm (6'3"), intermediate all-mountain: 180–190 cm, nearest table row 190 cm. |
| 175 cm beginner | same model | 175 cm (5'9"), beginner all-mountain: 160–165 cm, nearest table row 175 cm. |
| 175 cm advanced | same model | 175 cm (5'9"), advanced all-mountain: 170–180 cm, nearest table row 175 cm. |
| 175 cm powder | same model | 175 cm (5'9"), powder: 180–190 cm, nearest table row 175 cm. |
| 150 cm beginner | same model | 150 cm (4'11"), beginner all-mountain: 135–140 cm, nearest table row 150 cm. |
| 172 cm intermediate | same model | 172 cm (5'8"), intermediate all-mountain: 160–170 cm, nearest table row 170 cm. |
Who uses this
- The first-time buyer renting for a week: they learn a 175 cm beginner needs 160–165 cm skis — and they check the nearest row is 175 cm before ordering.
- The intermediate skier replacing old skis: they learn a 190 cm intermediate needs 180–190 cm — and they check the powder column (195–205 cm) for a deep-snow trip.
- The powder-day planner: they learn a 175 cm skier needs 180–190 cm powder skis — and they check that powder runs longer because the extra length floats them.
- The parent sizing skis for a growing teenager: they learn a 150 cm beginner needs 135–140 cm — and they check the table row before buying skis that will last one season.
Accuracy & limitations
The table is first-principles: the ranges come straight from your height, skill level and snow type — beginner [h−15, h−10], intermediate [h−10, h], advanced [h−5, h+5], powder [h+5, h+15], every bound rounded to the nearest 5 cm; ft/in = cm/2.54 rounded to the nearest inch — every figure derived, never hand-typed. What the model cannot do is measure YOU on snow: it ignores your weight (which matters for bindings, not length), your strength, how aggressively you ski, the ski's stiffness and rocker, and whether you ski groomers or moguls — two skiers at the same height can prefer different ends of the same range. Use the chart to narrow the choice, then demo before you buy if you can.
Cite this calculatorBright Side Kit. “Ski Length Chart: Find Your Size by Height & Skill 2026” brightoolbox.com, 2026. Method: ski length from height by the chin-to-nose rules (beginner [h−15, h−10], intermediate [h−10, h], advanced [h−5, h+5], powder [h+5, h+15]); every bound rounded to the nearest 5 cm; ft/in = cm/2.54 rounded to the nearest inch. Reverses: the intermediate range for 165 cm is 155–165 cm; the powder range for 190 cm is 195–205 cm; the shortest height whose advanced range reaches 180 cm is 175 cm (170–180); 180 cm is 5'11"; the beginner lower bound for 200 cm is 185 cm; the first height whose powder range starts at 190 cm or more is 185 cm (190–200). Defaults: 175 cm intermediate all-mountain → 165–175 cm, 5'9", nearest table row 175 cm.
Bright Side Kit. "Ski Length Chart: Find Your Size by Height & Skill 2026" https://brightoolbox.com/ski-length-chart/ Accessed October 26, 2026.Frequently asked questions
What ski length do I need at 175 cm as an intermediate?
165–175 cm. A 175 cm (5'9") intermediate skier on all-mountain skis needs 165–175 cm, and the nearest table row is 175 cm.
What ski length should a 175 cm beginner use?
160–165 cm. Beginners ski shorter because shorter skis turn easier — at 175 cm the beginner range is 160–165 cm, against 165–175 cm for an intermediate and 170–180 cm for an advanced skier.
Why are powder skis longer?
Powder skis run longer because the extra length floats you. At 175 cm the powder range is 180–190 cm, 5 to 15 cm over your height — and powder uses the powder column regardless of your skill level.
How are the ski lengths rounded?
Every bound is rounded to the nearest 5 cm, because real skis are sold in 5 cm steps. For a 172 cm intermediate the raw bounds are 162 and 172 cm, which round to 160 and 170 cm.
How tall do I need to be for an advanced range that reaches 180 cm?
175 cm. The shortest height whose advanced range reaches 180 cm is 175 cm (170–180); at 170 cm the advanced range is only 165–175 cm.
What is 180 cm in feet and inches?
5'11". 180 cm divided by 2.54 is 70.87 inches, rounded to the nearest inch is 71 inches — 5 feet 11 inches. A 179 cm skier is 5'10".
Does my weight change my ski length?
No — the ranges come from your height, not your weight. Weight matters for bindings, not length: the bindings are set to release at the right force for your weight, while the ski length follows your height and skill.
What if my height is not in the table?
The math still works — it is a model-level outcome, not an error. A 140 cm skier gets an intermediate range of 130–140 cm with nearest row 145 cm, and a 205 cm skier gets 195–205 cm with nearest row 200 cm.