Ski Pole Size Chart | Match Your Height In Minutes

Use a ski pole size chart to match your height to the right pole length, typically between 75 cm and 140 cm for alpine skiing.

For the full breakdown, see our best 44 Inch Ski Poles guide.

Choosing ski pole length comes down to one number: your height. The chart gets you close, then a quick elbow-angle test and your skiing style fine-tune the fit. Retailers like REI and MEC publish nearly identical charts, so the process is the same no matter where you shop.

Here is the full breakdown of how to read a ski pole size chart, why the numbers vary slightly between brands, and which sizing rules change when you switch from downhill to cross-country skiing.

How Ski Pole Sizing Works

Alpine ski pole sizing uses your height as the primary input. The charts group heights into bands, and each band maps to a pole length measured from the tip to the top of the grip. Most retail charts list lengths in both centimeters and inches, so 100 cm equals 40 in., 115 cm equals 46 in., and so on.

The bands cover short skiers all the way to the tallest.

Alpine Ski Pole Size Chart By Height

The table below compresses REI’s current sizing recommendations for downhill skiing. Find your height band in the left column, then read across for your starting pole length.

Notice that some height bands share a length. Both 5 ft. 4 in. and 5 ft. 6 in. map to 115 cm, for example. That overlap is normal and gives you a little flexibility when other factors push your fit one way or the other.

Adjusting The Chart For Your Skiing Style

Treat the chart as a starting point, not a final verdict. The elbow-angle test confirms the fit: hold the pole upside down with your hand just under the basket, then check your forearm. When your elbow sits near 90 degrees and your forearm runs roughly horizontal, the length is right for general resort skiing.

Your stance and discipline should push you off the chart in specific directions. Shorter poles suit racers and aggressive skiers who stay low and forward, because they keep the baskets out of the snow and make quick planting easier. Longer poles give taller, more upright skiers extra leverage and feel more comfortable at slower speeds. Take your boots and skis into account when verifying the final length, since terrain and technique can nudge the ideal size even when your height lands squarely in one chart band.

If you are shopping for a specific length like 44 inches, a tested roundup of 44 inch ski poles can save you the comparison work.

Cross-Country Ski Pole Sizing Differs

Cross-country sizing does not follow the alpine chart, and mixing them is the most common mistake skiers make. Skate poles run longer than classic poles because the skating motion needs a taller plant. Nordic Ski Pro’s classic and skate selection guide covers the difference in detail.

Brands do not always agree at every height band either. REI and MEC line up on most sizes, but some retailers shift a length by an inch or two around transition points like 5 ft. 4 in. to 5 ft. 6 in. When two charts disagree, default to the elbow-angle test and your personal comfort rather than splitting the difference.