Ski Equipment FAQ

Everything you need to know about choosing the right ski or snowboard equipment

Finding the right ski equipment is vital to your ability to progress in your skiing. Below are the suggested lengths.
Ski LengthThe ski lengths will differ according to the level and ability of the skierShorter Skis: More manageable and what you will choose for freestyle.
Longer Skis: More stable
SKIER HEIGHT IN INCHES
SKIER HEIGHT IN CM
SUGGESTED SKI LENGTHS (CM)
4'8"
142
130-145
4'10"
147
135-155
5'
152
140-160
5'2"
158
145-165
5'4"
163
150-170
5'6"
168
155-175
5'8"
173
160-180
5'10"
178
165-185
6'
183
170-190
6'2"
188
175-195
6'4"
193
180+
*These are recommended sizes, but approach any of our GOs to assist you for equipment
TYPE OF SKI
LEVEL
SKI SIZES IN COMPARISON TO HEIGHT
Ski Racing
Expert
15 to 20 cm less
All Mountain Ski (short turns)
Advanced / Expert
10 to 15 cm less
Slope ski leisure
Beginner / Intermediate
10 to 15 cm less
Slope ski leisure
Advanced / Expert
5 to 10 cm less
Ski all mountain
All levels
5 to 10 cm less
Ski free ride (all mountain*)
Advanced / Expert
5 to 10 cm less
Ski free ride (pure free ride ski*)
Advanced / Expert
5 to 15 cm less
*Ski Free Ride:
1. All Mountain: On all slopes including groomed slopes
2. Pure Free Ride: Bigger Skis that are more challenging to ski on groomed slopes (ie: powder skis)
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SKIER HEIGHT IN INCHES	SKIER HEIGHT IN CM	SUGGESTED SKI LENGTHS (CM)
4'8"	142	130-145
4'10"	147	135-155
5'	152	140-160
5'2"	158	145-165
5'4"	163	150-170
5'6"	168	155-175
5'8"	173	160-180
5'10"	178	165-185
6'	183	170-190
6'2"	188	175-195
6'4"	193	180+

TYPE OF SKI	LEVEL	SKI SIZES IN COMPARISON TO HEIGHT
Ski Racing	Expert	15 to 20 cm less
All Mountain Ski (short turns)	Advanced / Expert	10 to 15 cm less
Slope ski leisure	Beginner / Intermediate	10 to 15 cm less
Slope ski leisure	Advanced / Expert	5 to 10 cm less
Ski all mountain	All levels	5 to 10 cm less
*Ski free ride (all mountain)**	Advanced / Expert	5 to 10 cm less
*Ski free ride (pure free ride ski)**	Advanced / Expert	5 to 15 cm less

Finding the right snowboard equipment is vital to your ability to progress in your riding. Below are the suggested lengths based on your height and weight for snowboard size.
RIDER HEIGHT IN INCHES
RIDER HEIGHT IN CM
RIDER WEIGHT IN KG
SUGGESTED SNOWBOARD SIZE (CM)
4'10"
147
49-54
128-136
5'
152
50-58
133-141
5'2"
158
56-61
139-147
5'4"
163
61-65
144-152
5'6"
168
63-70
149-157
5'8"
173
68-74
154-162
5'10"
178
72-79
159-167
6'
183
77-83
160+
6'2"
188
81-88
160+
6'4"
193
86-92
160+
*These are recommended sizes, but approach any of our GOs to assist you for equipment suited for your ability. Board sizes and lengths differ if you are an advanced rider
Click here to view full size image

RIDER HEIGHT IN INCHES	RIDER HEIGHT IN CM	RIDER WEIGHT IN KG	SUGGESTED SNOWBOARD SIZE (CM)
4'10"	147	49-54	128-136
5'	152	50-58	133-141
5'2"	158	56-61	139-147
5'4"	163	61-65	144-152
5'6"	168	63-70	149-157
5'8"	173	68-74	154-162
5'10"	178	72-79	159-167
6'	183	77-83	160+
6'2"	188	81-88	160+
6'4"	193	86-92	160+

It is important to choose the right boot for skiing. Here are some things to consider when choosing your ski boot:
1. The Flex (stiffness index)The flex of a ski boot is linked to the skier’s level and physical status. The higher the level and the stronger the build, the more rigidity you will need.
LEVEL
FLEX*
-
MALE
FEMALE
Beginner
60-90
60-70
Intermediate
90-110
70-90
Expert
>110
>90
Competitor
140-150
140-150
*The flex index is not standardized between shoe brands.
2. The Mondopoint (the size of your feet)The Mondopoint system is a standardized measurement of foot length in centimeters. You can determine your size in Mondopoint in 5 simple steps:
Place a sheet of paper against a wall
Place your foot on the sheet with your heel against the wall
Bend slightly forward and mark the front of your foot with a pencil
Repeat the operation with your second foot
Measure the longest length reported on the sheet—this is your size in mondopoint
Click here to view full size image
Click here to view full size image

LEVEL	FLEX*
-	MALE	FEMALE
Beginner	60-90	60-70
Intermediate	90-110	70-90
Expert	>110	>90
Competitor	140-150	140-150

It is important to find out when you start snowboarding what stance you are in order to progress your riding. There are a couple simple ways to find out.
Snowboarding stance means which foot you will be riding with in the front at the nose of your board. There are 2 different kinds of stance, REGULAR stance and GOOFY stance.
Regular: Left-foot forward
Goofy: Right-foot forward
How to Find Your Stance
Kick A BallPlace a soccer ball (or any other type of ball) in front of you. Go ahead and kick it. Whichever foot you kicked it with will likely be your back foot. The foot still on the ground will be your balancing foot.
Run & SlidePut on your socks and find a super slippery polished floor. Take a running start into a slide. Whichever foot you put out first to control the slide and your balance is your front foot.
The Big PushStand with two feet together, your weight equally balanced, and your eyes closed. Ask a very nice friend to gently push you from behind. Whichever foot you stepped forward with is likely your back foot.

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