How do I measure ski pole length?

To measure ski pole length, hold the pole upside down with your hand gripping just below the basket. Your elbow should form a right angle (90 degrees). If your elbow angle is greater than 90 degrees the pole is too long; less than 90 degrees it is too short. Alternatively, multiply your height in centimetres by 0.68–0.70 for most skiers.

What length ski poles do I need?

Ski pole length is approximately 68–70% of your height for recreational skiing. For a skier who is 175cm tall, the recommended pole length is 175 × 0.68 = 119cm, rounding to 120cm. Sporty carvers use 0.68 coefficient. Freeride and touring skiers use 0.66 for shorter poles that improve balance in variable terrain.

Should ski poles be shorter for aggressive skiing?

Yes. Sporty and aggressive carvers benefit from poles 2–4cm shorter than the recreational recommendation. Shorter poles encourage a more forward, dynamic stance and reduce arm swing during high-speed carving. Freeride and off-piste skiers also use shorter poles for better balance when skiing in deep snow or variable terrain.

Can ski poles be too long?

Yes. Poles that are too long force the skier into a more upright stance, reduce arm mobility, and can interfere with planted pole timing. Very long poles also increase the risk of injury if the pole plants awkwardly. The 90-degree elbow test is a reliable check — if your elbow angle exceeds 90 degrees with the pole held upside down below the basket, the pole is too long.

Do I need different ski poles for touring?

Ski touring poles are typically adjustable in length or shorter than standard alpine poles. For climbing uphill, a longer pole provides better push-off. For descending, a shorter pole suits the downhill position. Adjustable touring poles allow you to change length between ascent and descent. Fixed-length touring poles use the freeride coefficient of 0.66 for a compromise length.

What are ski pole baskets for?

Ski pole baskets prevent the pole tip from sinking too deep into soft snow. Alpine ski poles use small baskets (50–70mm) suitable for hard-packed piste skiing. Powder and touring poles use larger baskets (90–130mm) to provide more surface area and prevent the pole from sinking in deep powder. Interchangeable basket systems allow switching between small and large baskets on the same pole.

What material are ski poles made from?

Most recreational ski poles are made from aluminium, which is durable, affordable, and bends rather than breaks in a fall. High-performance and racing poles use carbon fibre, which is lighter and stiffer but can shatter rather than bend. Titanium and composite poles offer a balance between weight and durability. For learning skiers, aluminium poles are the recommended choice.

How do I know if my ski poles are the right length on the slope?

On the slope, plant your pole in the snow beside your boot. With the pole planted and your hand on the grip, your elbow should be at or close to a right angle. If you have to raise your shoulder or extend your arm fully to plant the pole, it is too long. If you have to bend your wrist awkwardly downward, it may be slightly short. Correct length allows a natural, relaxed arm swing.

dincalculator.com / ski pole

Ski Pole Length Calculator

Use your height and skiing style to figure out how long your ideal ski pole should be.

Height (cm)

Skiing style

Enter your height to see your recommended pole length.

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What does the length of a ski pole mean?

The length of a ski pole is the distance in centimeters from the tip of the pole to the top of the grip. The right length keeps your elbow at about 90° when you plant the pole on flat ground. This angle makes sure that your arms work properly, that your weight is well distributed, and that your pole timing is rhythmic during turns.

If your pole is excessively long, it will push your elbow up and mess up your forward lean. This will put you in a defensive, back-seat position that makes it tougher to turn. If a pole is too short, you have to lean forward, put more weight on the ski tails, and lose your balance. A change of only 4 centimeters can have a big effect on how you stand and ski.

The usual formula takes height and multiplies it by a number between 0.66 and 0.70, depending on the type of skiing. For improved balance on groomed runs, recreational skiers utilize longer poles (×0.70). Freeride and touring skiers utilize shorter poles (×0.66) to help them have a lower, more dynamic stance on moguls and on uneven terrain. Touring skiers use them to keep their arms from becoming tired on lengthy uphill climbs.

Who needs a ski pole length calculator?

First-time ski buyers use this calculator to choose poles that go with their new gear. Intermediate skiers use it to switch from rental poles to personal poles. Tourers use it to make sure that shorter poles work with their uphill technique. Parents use it to buy poles for their kids, and ski shops use it to quickly size poles for rental customers. It is also helpful for skiers who have been using poles that are the wrong size and want to make sure that the ones they have now are the right length.

How to figure out how long a ski pole should be

Choose the coefficient that fits your skiing style: Recreational ×0.70, Sporty ×0.68, or Freeride/Touring ×0.66.
Take the coefficient and multiply it by your height (cm).
Round to the closest 5 cm (poles are sold in 5 cm stages).
Field test: Hold the pole upside down below the basket such that your elbow makes a 90° angle.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a pole be for a skier who is 175 cm tall?

A recreational skier who is 175 cm tall should use poles that are about 120–125 cm long (175 × 0.70 = 122.5 cm). A sporty skier at the same height should utilize 118–120 cm (175 × 0.68 = 119 cm). A freeride or touring skier should use 115–118 cm (175 × 0.66 = 115.5 cm).

How can I check the length of a pole without a calculator?

Hold the pole upside down, with the tip pointing up and your hand just below the basket. Your upper arm should be straight up and down, and your elbow should be at a right angle. The pole is too long if the angle is more than 90°, and too short if it's less than 90°.

Should touring poles be shorter than resort poles?

Yes. For the same height skier, touring poles are usually 4 to 8 cm shorter than resort poles. When you skin uphill, shorter poles help you keep your weight forward, make your arms less tired on long climbs, and let you climb more efficiently with less shoulder movement.

Can I use poles that can be adjusted in length?

Yes, and they are highly suggested for traveling. You can make adjustable poles shorter by 10 to 15 cm for going up (which makes it easier on your arms) and longer for going down. They are a little heavier than poles with fixed lengths, usually 50 to 100 grams more each pair, but for most tourers, the versatility is worth the extra weight.

Do women need different pole lengths than men?

No, the formula is the same for everyone. Height and skiing style, not gender, dictate pole length. Some women's poles have grips that are smaller and lighter, but the way to measure the length is the same. Enter your real height.

What is the right length of the pole for mogul skiing?

Most mogul skiers use poles that are on the shorter end of the freeride spectrum (×0.65–0.66). Shorter poles let you stand lower and more compact, which lowers the chance of getting a pole stuck in a bump. The arms stay higher and more forward, which is important for taking the force of moguls.

Does the length of the pole affect how fast you can go on groomed runs?

The length of the pole doesn't have much effect on straight-line speed, but it does have a big effect on technique on groomed runs. If the poles are too short, you have to lean forward, which pushes your weight back and makes it harder to grab the edge. The right length lets you have a forward, balanced posture, which makes it easier to carve turns.

How big of poles should I get for my child?

Use the same ×0.70 recreational coefficient for kids. A 130 cm youngster needs poles that are about 91 cm long, while a 150 cm child needs poles that are about 105 cm long. Children's poles come in 5 cm steps. If you want to make them shorter, round down instead of up. Kids learn better with poles that are a little short than overly long.

How pole length is calculated

Simple Height-to-Pole Ratio

Ski pole length is calculated by multiplying your height by a coefficient between 0.66 and 0.70. The coefficient varies by skiing style. A classic field test: hold the pole upside down below the basket — your elbow should form a 90° angle.

Recreational ×0.70Sporty ×0.68Freeride ×0.66Touring ×0.66