The right ski length generally falls between your chin and the top of your head when the ski is stood upright next to you. Beginners should count 10 to 15 cm less than their height; confident skiers, from their height up to 5 cm more. Your weight, level and type of ski then fine-tune the result.
Before booking your ski rental in Méribel, it helps to know what you are looking for: skis that are too long are tiring and slow your progress, while skis that are too short lose stability as you pick up speed. This guide gives you the rules, a length chart by height and level, the special cases (children, freeride) and what to tell the rental technician. Written by the INTERSPORT Méribel team, who have been equipping skiers at the foot of the slopes for 17 years.
In short: beginner, height − 10 to 15 cm; intermediate, height − 5 to 10 cm; advanced, height − 5 cm to height; expert, height to + 5 cm. Heavier than average: add 3 to 5 cm. Lighter: stay at the low end of the range. And when renting, always give your height, weight, level and type of skiing: the technician does the rest.
The 5 criteria that determine your ski length
Height alone is not enough: five criteria add up.
- Your height. This is the starting point: the ski should reach between your chin and the top of your head.
- Your level. The more of a beginner you are, the shorter the ski should be: it turns more easily and forgives mistakes. The more confident and fast you are, the more length you need to stay stable.
- Your weight. At equal height, a skier heavier than average adds 3 to 5 cm; a lighter skier stays at the low end of the range. A 1.70 m skier weighing 60 kg does not need the same length as one weighing 80 kg.
- Your type of skiing. On-piste, all-mountain or freeride: the terrain changes the range (see below).
- Your style. Short, quick turns or long, fast arcs: the former call for shorter skis, the latter for longer ones.
By type of skiing
| Type of skiing | Length relative to your height |
|---|---|
| On-piste (recreational) | 5 to 15 cm shorter |
| Performance on-piste | 5 to 15 cm shorter; low end for tight turns, high end for wide arcs |
| All-mountain | Beginner: 5 to 10 cm shorter; confident: your height; expert: slightly longer |
| Freeride (off-piste) | From 5 cm shorter to 10 or 15 cm longer than your height |
| Freestyle (snowpark) | 5 to 10 cm shorter, or your height |
Width and shape matter too
For the piste, a waist width of 70 to 80 mm gives good edge grip; all-mountain and freeride skis are wider (90 to 120 mm) and, with more rocker (raised tips), tolerate slightly longer lengths. For a resort rental, the technician generally chooses the model from the range and the exact length based on your information.
Ski length chart by height and level
This chart applies each level’s rule to adult height, for on-piste skiing. It gives reference points in centimetres, to be adjusted for your weight and type of skiing.
| Your height | Beginner (height − 10 to 15 cm) | Intermediate (− 5 to 10 cm) | Advanced (− 5 cm to height) | Expert (height to + 5 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 135-140 | 140-145 | 145-150 | 150-155 |
| 160 cm | 145-150 | 150-155 | 155-160 | 160-165 |
| 170 cm | 155-160 | 160-165 | 165-170 | 170-175 |
| 180 cm | 165-170 | 170-175 | 175-180 | 180-185 |
| 190 cm | 175-180 | 180-185 | 185-190 | 190-195 |
How to read this chart
- Find your row with your height in cm, then your column according to your real level.
- Add 3 to 5 cm if you are heavier than average for your height; stay at the low end of the range if you are light.
- No exact length? Skis come in steps of a few centimetres: the technician picks the closest length. If in doubt, a beginner takes the shorter one, a fast skier the longer one.
- Your level is your worst day’s level, not your best run. If you hesitate between two levels, pick the lower one.
Special cases: children, teens, women, freeride
Ski length for children
For a child the rule is the same, with a lower range: a beginner has skis that reach between chin and nose (chest height for the smallest), while a child who is progressing can go up to their height. In figures:
| Child’s level | Ski length |
|---|---|
| Beginner (before the 3rd star) | Child’s height − 10 to 15 cm |
| Intermediate (3rd star and above) | Child’s height − 5 to 10 cm |
| Age | Average height | Indicative ski length |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 94 cm | 70-80 cm |
| 5 years | 109 cm | 90-100 cm |
| 7 years | 122 cm | 100-110 cm |
| 9 years | 135 cm | 120-130 cm |
| 11 years | 145 cm | 130-140 cm |
| 13 years | 156 cm | 140-150 cm |
- Shorter is better for learning: the ski is more manoeuvrable and more forgiving. Avoid skis that are too long “so they can grow into them”, which hurt control and enjoyment.
- Review every season: a child’s height and level change quickly.
- Give the exact weight to the rental technician: it is used to set the bindings safely.
- Around 160 cm and 55 kg, children generally move on to adult skis.
- Book early: the smallest sizes go first during school holidays.
At INTERSPORT Rent, the Kid range is designed for children aged 6 and under, and the Junior Blue (beginner) and Junior Red (intermediate and advanced) ranges for ages 7 and up.
For teenagers
Teenagers apply the adult rules, with an adjustment of 15 to 5 cm less than their height depending on their level.
What about women?
The calculation method is the same as for men: only the construction of the ski differs (models are generally lighter). Your height, weight and level are all you need.
If you ski off-piste or all-mountain
In all-mountain and freeride skiing, length goes up for flotation in deep snow: from your height up to 15 cm more for an experienced freerider. A beginner off-piste stays at 5 cm less than their height. Reminder: off-piste skiing should be done with a high-mountain guide, an avalanche transceiver, a shovel and a probe.
Ski length when renting in Méribel: what to tell the technician, what to check
In Méribel, most holidaymakers rent their skis. Good news: the rental technician chooses the length with you. You just need to give them the right information.
What to tell them:
- Your height and weight, exact, without rounding in your favour;
- Your level: beginner, intermediate, advanced or expert, honestly;
- Your type of skiing: marked pistes, all-mountain or off-piste;
- Your style: rather cautious and smooth, or fast and committed.
For children, add their age and exact weight: that is what allows a suitable length to be chosen rather than a simple match with their height.
Before your trip: enter this information when booking online to save time on arrival, and check that you can still change your booking if you realise you made a mistake about level or size. Our guide to ski rental in Méribel explains the whole process.
In the shop:
- Stand the ski upright next to you: it should reach between your chin and the top of your head (a little lower for a beginner);
- Have the technician set the bindings on your boots, with your exact weight and level;
- If the skis do not suit you after a first morning, ask for an exchange: do not put up with a whole day on the wrong length.
Length and range are two separate choices: rental shops offer several ranges (for example blue, red, black) depending on level and the performance you want. Moving up a range does not mean taking longer skis: length depends on your build and level, the range on the ski’s technology.
The Méribel area: the pistes in Méribel are mostly green and blue, ideal for progressing. If you stay on this area as a recreational skier, slightly shorter skis make turns easier and less tiring. To explore the whole of the 3 Vallées at a good pace, stay at the top of your range only if your level justifies it.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing your ski length
- Overestimating yourself. This is the most common mistake: choosing the length for your best day. Go for your worst day’s length, tired and on hard snow.
- Ignoring your weight. Two skiers of the same height do not need the same length: a heavier skier adds 3 to 5 cm, a light skier stays at the low end of the range.
- Taking skis that are too long “to go faster”. Skis that are too long are harder to turn, tire the legs and slow your progress.
- Choosing a child’s skis too long so they can grow into them. A child needs manoeuvrable skis; review the length every season.
- Keeping the same length year after year. Your level, weight and style of skiing change, and so does the ideal length.
- Forgetting the type of skiing. The same skis are not right for piste, all-mountain and freeride.
How do you know your skis are the wrong length?
A few warning signs during the first morning:
- you struggle to start your turns and feel like you are dragging heavy equipment: the skis are probably too long;
- your legs tire abnormally fast;
- you lack stability as soon as speed increases: the skis may be too short.
In any case, do not stay with a doubt: go back to the shop, an exchange is often possible. At INTERSPORT Méribel, our teams adjust the length and settings with you; find our advice and services or contact us.
FAQ: ski length
What ski length should a beginner choose?
Take skis that reach between your chin and your nose, about 10 to 15 cm less than your height. Shorter skis turn more easily and forgive mistakes.
What ski length for someone 1.70 m tall?
On-piste: 155-160 cm for a beginner, 160-165 cm for an intermediate, 165-170 cm for an advanced skier and 170-175 cm for an expert. Add 3 to 5 cm if you are heavier than average.
Does weight change ski length?
Yes. At equal height, a skier heavier than average adds 3 to 5 cm, while a lighter skier stays at the low end of the range.
What ski length for a child?
A beginner child takes skis 10 to 15 cm shorter than their height; an intermediate child, 5 to 10 cm shorter. Always give the rental technician the child’s age and exact weight.
Are shorter skis easier to ski?
Yes, they are more manoeuvrable and more forgiving, which is why they are recommended for beginners. Fast, experienced skiers prefer longer skis, which are more stable at high speed.
What should I tell the rental technician to get the right ski length in Méribel?
Give your height, weight, level, type of skiing (piste, all-mountain, off-piste) and style. The technician then chooses the length and sets your bindings accordingly.