3 things to ask yourself

Ski length is important whether you are looking to buy new skies or want to be sure you are renting the right equipment, knowing what questions to ask the technician serving you will facilitate the best outcome. What makes it a confusing affaire is that your ideal length will be different depending on what type of ski you are looking to use. Today we are going to look at the three things that will influence your choice of ski length.

You:

1. What body type are you?

2. How do you prefer to ski?

3. What type of ski will you need?

First, let’s find your Ground Zero and all else will follow.

Measure in cm’s from ground to eyeline and then we can adjust for body type.

Body Type

If you are average weight, skis that come up to your eyeline will be your Ground Zero length.

Eyeline = 170cm Ground Zero = 170cm

If you are like me and have more bulk, go one size up (2 to 4cm)

Eyeline = 170 Ground zero = 174cm

If you are light for your height go one size down (2cm to 4cm)

Eyeline = 170cm Ground Zero = 166cm

Now that you have your Ground Zero length, add or take away for the type of skiing you prefer.

Style preference

1. Relaxed and easy going on all slopes switching from short to long turns.

Ground Zero +0cm

2. Aggressive short turns and steeper skiing:

Ground Zero and go down a size (2cm to 4cm)

3. Fast long turns and motorway skiing:

Ground Zero and go up a size (4cm to 6cm)

4. All terrain, switching between piste and none piste:

Ground Zero and go up a size or 2 (5cm to 10cm)

5. Powder days and making fresh tracks:

Ground Zero and go up 2 sizes (10cm to 15cm)

Ski preference

Wider skis with a rocker for floating.

1. All terrain models:

Ground Zero and go up 1 to 2 sizes (5cm to 10cm) depending on experience and choose an average under foot width (76mm to 86mm), so the ski floats in powder but has some shape to grip on piste.

2. Powder:

Ground Zero and go up 2 sizes (10cm to 15cm) and wider under foot (86mm to 96mm) Plenty of float, not much turn shape on piste.

On piste skis with more shape for carving.

3. Slalom SL:

Ground Zero and go 1 size down to turn in 11 to 13 meters.

4. Giant Slalom GS:

Ground Zero and go 1 size up to turn in 14 to 16 meters

Try to remember that a couple of cm’s either way is not going to make a difference you will notice.

Having the right type of ski will make a bigger difference to your enjoyment.

Don’t go to any extremes, no matter what your chalet host says or that ski bum you met in the bar.

Author’s Tip

If you just want to have a week on an easy-going ski that can do a bit of everything without giving you too much trouble, ask for an all-round ski that comes up to your eyeline, is softer at the tip and stiffer at the tail and has a decent amount of shape.