ski / pole length
Ski Pole Length Calculator
Use your height and skiing style to figure out how long your ideal ski pole should be.
What size ski poles do I need? Flip the ski pole upside down, grab it under the basket. Your forearm should be parallel to the ground (90 degree elbow angle). By numbers: your height in cm multiplied by 0.7. For a 175 cm (5'9") skier: poles around 122 cm. Shorter poles (height x 0.68) for moguls and park. Longer poles (height x 0.72) for powder and backcountry. Enter your height below for an exact recommendation.
Unlike generic chin to nose advice for ski length, pole sizing uses a precise formula based on height and skiing style. This calculator adjusts for all-mountain, moguls, park, powder, and touring.
Calculate your DIN binding setting for safe skiing. Find the right ski boot flex for your ability.
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.
What length ski poles for 5'9" (175 cm)?
120 to 125 cm for all-mountain skiing. 118 cm for moguls or park. 125 cm for powder. Poles come in 5 cm increments, so choose 120 cm or 125 cm. The upside-down test (90 degree elbow angle when gripping below the basket) confirms the right length.
How do you measure ski pole length?
Flip the pole upside down and grip below the basket. Your forearm should be parallel to the ground (90 degree elbow). Alternative: multiply your height in cm by 0.70 for all-mountain, 0.68 for moguls, 0.72 for powder. Round to the nearest 5 cm.
Are shorter or longer ski poles better?
Shorter poles (height x 0.68) for moguls, park, and tight trees because they keep your hands out of the way. Longer poles (height x 0.72) for powder and touring because they reach deeper snow. Standard length (height x 0.70) for groomed all-mountain skiing.
Ski Pole Length Chart by Height
A 175 cm (5'9") skier needs 120 to 125 cm poles for all-mountain skiing. The chart below covers heights from 150 cm to 190 cm across three skiing styles. Find your row and pick the column that matches how you ski.
| Height | Height (ft) | All-Mountain | Moguls / Park | Powder / Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 4'11" | 105 cm | 100 cm | 108 cm |
| 155 cm | 5'1" | 108 cm | 103 cm | 112 cm |
| 160 cm | 5'3" | 112 cm | 108 cm | 115 cm |
| 165 cm | 5'5" | 115 cm | 110 cm | 118 cm |
| 170 cm | 5'7" | 118-120 cm | 115 cm | 122 cm |
| 175 cm | 5'9" | 120-125 cm | 118 cm | 125 cm |
| 180 cm | 5'11" | 125-130 cm | 120 cm | 130 cm |
| 185 cm | 6'1" | 130 cm | 125 cm | 132 cm |
| 190 cm | 6'3" | 132-135 cm | 128 cm | 135 cm |
Ski poles come in 5 cm increments. If your calculated length falls between two sizes, choose the shorter one for more maneuverability or the longer one for more stability. After fitting your poles, match them with the right ski length.
The Upside-Down Test: How to Check Pole Length in a Shop
Flip the pole upside down and grip it just below the basket with your hand on top. Stand in your ski boots (or add 3 to 4 cm if you are in regular shoes). Your elbow should form a 90 degree angle. If the angle is less than 90 degrees (forearm points up), the pole is too long. If the angle is greater than 90 degrees (forearm points down), the pole is too short. This test is the industry standard and works in any shop without a measuring tape.
Adjustable Poles: Worth It?
Adjustable (telescopic) poles let you change length for different terrain: shorten for moguls, lengthen for powder, and switch between climbing and descending on tours. Weight: 300 to 500 g per pair vs 200 to 350 g for fixed-length poles. Worth it if you ski varied terrain in one day or split between resort and touring. Not recommended for racing because the locking mechanism adds weight and can collapse under load. Reliable brands include Black Diamond, Leki, and K2.
Pole Material: Aluminum vs Carbon vs Composite
Aluminum (20 to 50 USD per pair): durable, heavier, bends before breaking. Good for beginners and rough use. Carbon (60 to 200 USD): light, stiff, shatters under hard impact. Best for performance and racing. Composite (40 to 100 USD): a mix of both, a sensible middle ground for most skiers. Carbon saves roughly 100 to 150 g per pair vs aluminum but costs three to four times more. Pair the right poles with a matching DIN binding setting and boot flex.
Pole Length for Kids
Same formula: height x 0.70. A 130 cm child needs around 90 cm poles. Buy for current height, not to grow into. Poles that are too long cause bad technique and shoulder strain. Adjustable poles are ideal for growing kids: you set them shorter and extend by 5 cm each season as the child grows.
Pole Baskets: Powder vs Piste
Standard baskets (5 to 6 cm diameter): groomed snow and hard-pack. Powder baskets (10 to 12 cm diameter): deep snow, where they prevent the poles from sinking. Most poles ship with standard baskets. Swap to powder baskets (10 to 15 USD per pair) for powder days. The change takes about 30 seconds and most pole grips accept either basket size.
Last updated: May 2026
This calculator is for reference only. Results are based on standard formulas and may not account for individual variation. Always use your own judgement when making equipment decisions.
Source: MasterFit Pole Sizing Guide
How pole length is calculated