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What's my size?

Guess what?  All the rules have changed.  In years past (pre-1995), skis were sold by size according to your height.
Nose high, head high, chin high.  It all had to do with your height and the trends varied a little year to year.

Now, with the different constructions and materials, generally, skis are sized for you according primarily to your weight.  Yep, that's right... your weight.  Or at least that's what most manufacturers say.  It gets confusing, though.  You may ski a 158 Rossi Viper X PPS, but a 177 Rossi Bandit XX.  And you'll find the Viper faster!

The best way to figure it out is to look at the available lengths in a particular model of skis and the height/weights standard adults come in and try to match up the two scales.

So if a ski comes in only two lengths (like a few of the twin tips), if you weight less than 160 lbs or are shorter than 5' 8", go for the shorter ski.  If you're short, but on the heavy side, go longer.  If you're average height but thin, go shorter.  Aggressive "high energy" skiers should go a little longer than average.

If the ski comes in 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190, and you're a perfectly avergae guy, go for the 170.  Another ski may come only in 140, 150, 160, and 168 (like some race slalom skis).  Well, then if you're still that dead-center mid range height and weight guy, go for the 150 - a 160 if you're real good.

Oh, and if you've been happy skiing your straight 200's from 1990, don't let anyone talk you out of them.  You can pick up some great bargains on unused "new old stock" skis on eBay.

The following are the general recommendations from a couple of manufacturers for shape skis.  These are only general guidelines.
 
Weight Beginner Intermediate All-Mountain Expert Carver Adv.Freeride Exp. GS Race SL Race*
<50** 90-100 90-110 90-110        
60** 90-100 110-120 110-120        
70** 100-110 115-125 115-125        
80** 100-110 125-135 125-135        
90** 110-120 135-145 135-145        
100** 120-130 135-145 145-155 140-150      
110 130-135 145-155 150-160 145-155 165-175 150-160 <150
120 135-140 145-155 150-160 150-160 170-180 160-170 <155
130 140-150 155-165 160-175 155-165 175-185 165-175 150-160
140 145-155 160-170 165-180 155-165 175-185 170-180 150-160
150 145-155 165-175 170-180 160-170 180-190 170-180 150-160
160 150-160 165-175 175-185 160-170 180-190 174-185 155-165
170 150-160 165-180 175-185 160-170 180-190 174-185 155-165
180 160-170 170-180 180-190 165-177 185-195 180-190 155-165
190 170-180 170-180 180-190 165-177 185-195 185-195 155-165
200 170-180 175-185 180-195 165-177 185-195 185-195 155-165
210 175-185 175-185 180-195 165-177 185-195 185-195 155-165
220+ 180-190 180-190 190-195 170-180 190-195 185-195 155-165
This advice is derived from professional publications.  WIntersales does not endorse selection of equipment without consulting an expert.  It is our experience that there are plenty of experts around and they're always willing to share their opinion.