The length of the ski is absolutely not as simple as subtracting 12–15 cm from your height — this is the easiest guideline for beginners. To understand how to choose the right length of alpine skis, you must know what type of skis you are using and your skill level.
Alpine Skiing
1. Competition Type
Alpine Skiing
1. Competition Type
This is the most common type, used by most skiers. All-mountain skis can actually also fall into this category, with waist widths between 68–75 mm. For this type of ski, generally subtracting 15 cm to 5 cm from your height is acceptable. The choice really depends on your skill level and skiing style. Beginners are advised to choose shorter skis for better control and easier skill improvement. Advanced skiers, who tend to enjoy the thrill of speed, usually prefer slightly longer skis. In addition, people with more body weight should also opt for slightly longer skis.
3. All-Mountain with Freeride Capability
All-mountain skis with freeride capability are generally high-end models, with waist widths between 76–85 mm. However, in most parts of China, these skis’ freeride features are underutilized. Places like Changbai Mountain and Xinjiang are where these skis can truly perform; some runs at Wanlong, Dolomiti, and Yabuli can also suit them. I recommend choosing a length no shorter than 10 cm below your height for these skis. The wider the ski, the longer the length should be. This is because floatation is key in freeriding — don’t focus on edge control, as real off-piste skiing doesn’t rely on carving.
4. Freeride
Freeride skis don’t get much attention domestically, but if we say skiing is like a white opiate, then freeriding is like morphine. Freeride skis typically have widths between 88–120 mm. As mentioned earlier, floatation is the key in freeriding. When choosing freeride skis, you generally want a length at least as tall as you are, and for those with widths over 110 mm, it’s even hard to find options under 176 cm. Once you sink into 5-meter-deep powder, it’s very difficult to get back up.
5. Mogul
Mogul skis are actually a unique category that few people use. Professional mogul skis are very narrow, with waist widths under 60 mm and extremely large turn radii. So don’t assume that slalom skis can be used for mogul practice — moguls aren’t about edge control. Mogul skis are first and foremost soft, and they shouldn’t have metal reinforcement layers (like Ti). Typically, only highly skilled skiers buy professional mogul skis, and they’ll have a sense of the right length. Just a reminder: don’t use stiff skis for mogul skiing, and remember, mogul skiing is not the same as slalom technique.
All-mountain skis with freeride capability are generally high-end models, with waist widths between 76–85 mm. However, in most parts of China, these skis’ freeride features are underutilized. Places like Changbai Mountain and Xinjiang are where these skis can truly perform; some runs at Wanlong, Dolomiti, and Yabuli can also suit them. I recommend choosing a length no shorter than 10 cm below your height for these skis. The wider the ski, the longer the length should be. This is because floatation is key in freeriding — don’t focus on edge control, as real off-piste skiing doesn’t rely on carving.
4. Freeride
Freeride skis don’t get much attention domestically, but if we say skiing is like a white opiate, then freeriding is like morphine. Freeride skis typically have widths between 88–120 mm. As mentioned earlier, floatation is the key in freeriding. When choosing freeride skis, you generally want a length at least as tall as you are, and for those with widths over 110 mm, it’s even hard to find options under 176 cm. Once you sink into 5-meter-deep powder, it’s very difficult to get back up.
5. Mogul
Mogul skis are actually a unique category that few people use. Professional mogul skis are very narrow, with waist widths under 60 mm and extremely large turn radii. So don’t assume that slalom skis can be used for mogul practice — moguls aren’t about edge control. Mogul skis are first and foremost soft, and they shouldn’t have metal reinforcement layers (like Ti). Typically, only highly skilled skiers buy professional mogul skis, and they’ll have a sense of the right length. Just a reminder: don’t use stiff skis for mogul skiing, and remember, mogul skiing is not the same as slalom technique.