ski / touring length
Touring Ski Length Calculator
Find the proper length, waist width, and turning radius for your height, weight, and style of touring.
What size touring skis do I need? Touring skis are 5 to 15 cm shorter than alpine skis: standard touring = height minus 5 to 10 cm, lightweight or race = height minus 10 to 15 cm, freeride touring = equal to height. For a 175 cm (5'9") skier weighing 75 kg: standard touring 165 to 170 cm at 88 to 95 mm waist width. Lighter skiers go shorter, heavier go longer. Unlike alpine sizing, touring ski width matters as much as length: narrower (70 to 85 mm) for efficient skinning, wider (100 to 115 mm) for powder. Enter your details below for personalized length, width and radius.
This is the only touring ski calculator that recommends three dimensions: length, waist width, and turning radius. Most guides only cover length. But in touring, width determines skinning efficiency and powder float, while radius affects maneuverability in tight couloirs vs stability in open bowls. All three must match your touring style.
Calculate your DIN binding setting for safe skiing. Find the right ski boot flex for your ability. Going beyond the resort boundary? Look at off-piste and backcountry cover before you head out.
What does it mean to ski tour?
Ski touring, which is also known as alpine touring or randonnée, is when you go up mountains on skis with climbing skins connected to the base and then come back down on the same skis. Touring skis need to be light enough to climb well yet strong enough to handle different types of mountain terrain on the way down. This is different from resort skiing.
For the same skier, touring skis are shorter than resort skis. Classic touring skis are usually 10 to 5 cm shorter than the height of the person using them. This makes it easier to travel up hills. Free touring skis are 5 to 0 cm shorter than their height.
Who needs a touring ski calculator?
This calculator is used by resort skiers transitioning to backcountry touring who need to understand how touring ski sizing differs from their current skis, by experienced tourers switching between disciplines (e.g. moving from classic touring to free touring for more off-piste capability), by skimo racers selecting competition skis for their height and weight category, and by outdoor shops fitting customers with their first touring setup. It is also used by guides and instructors who need to quickly recommend appropriate equipment to guests.
How touring ski parameters are calculated
- Select touring style: Classic, Free Touring, and Speed Touring each have different length ranges relative to height. Classic: height −10 to −5 cm. Free Touring: height −5 to 0 cm. Speed Touring: height −15 to −10 cm.
- Apply weight adjustment: Skiers under 60 kg subtract 5 cm from both ends of the range for easier manoeuvrability. Skiers 61–85 kg use the standard range. Skiers 86 kg and above add 5 cm to both ends for better stiffness, float and stability on the descent.
- Waist width range: Determined entirely by touring style. Classic: 75–95 mm, Free Touring: 95–115 mm, Speed Touring: 65–85 mm. Within each range, the optimal width is the middle 10 mm band.
- Turning radius: Also style-dependent. Classic: 15–20 m (versatile). Free Touring: 18–24 m (open terrain). Speed Touring: 12–16 m (tight, groomed ascent lines). The optimal radius is the midpoint of each range.
Frequently asked questions
What touring ski length should a 175 cm skier choose?
A 175 cm classic tourer of average weight should choose skis in the 165–170 cm range (height −10 to −5 cm). A free tourer of the same height should look at 170–175 cm. A speed tourer should use 160–165 cm. These are starting points. Heavier skiers add 5 cm, lighter skiers subtract 5 cm.
Can I use all-mountain skis for touring?
Yes, but with significant trade-offs. All-mountain skis are 400–800 g heavier per ski than dedicated touring skis, making uphill progress much harder and more tiring. For occasional day tours on moderate terrain they work adequately. For multi-day tours, technical ascents, or serious backcountry, dedicated touring skis are strongly recommended.
What waist width should I choose for touring?
For classic and speed touring on groomed or firm terrain, 65–85 mm waist width offers the best edge grip and lowest weight. Free touring on mixed terrain suits 95–115 mm for a balance of float and hardpack performance. Wider skis (110+ mm) suit powder-focused free touring but are significantly heavier and less efficient on long climbs.
How does body weight affect touring ski length?
Lighter skiers (under 60 kg) benefit from skis 5 cm shorter than the standard recommendation. Shorter skis are easier to manoeuvre and require less muscular effort on the uphill. Heavier skiers (86 kg and above) should go 5 cm longer for adequate stiffness, float and stability on the descent, and to prevent ski chatter at speed.
What is turning radius and why does it matter in touring?
Turning radius describes the arc a ski naturally carves in the snow. A smaller radius (12–16 m) suits tight couloirs, trees and groomed piste descents, common in speed touring. A larger radius (18–24 m) suits open bowls and high-speed descents, common in free touring. For most classic touring, a mid-range radius of 15–20 m provides versatility across varied terrain.
What is the difference between alpine touring and skimo?
Alpine touring (AT or randonnée) covers recreational, multi-day and free riding tours. Skis are wider (85–115 mm) and heavier (1,000–1,400 g per ski), prioritising comfort and downhill performance. Skimo (ski mountaineering) uses ultra-light racing skis (under 900 g per ski) with narrow waists (65–80 mm) and short lengths, optimised entirely for uphill speed on firm snow.
Do I need different bindings for touring skis?
Yes. Touring requires bindings with a walk mode that allows heel lift during climbing. Alpine touring (AT) bindings use a rigid frame with a walk mode lever. Tech (pin) bindings are lighter and used for speed touring and skimo; they use small toe pins that insert into holes in touring boots. Standard alpine bindings cannot be used for touring.
How heavy should touring skis be?
Speed touring and skimo skis weigh under 900 g per ski. Classic touring skis weigh 900–1,200 g per ski. Free touring skis weigh 1,200–1,600 g per ski. As a rule of thumb, every 100 g saved per ski significantly reduces fatigue on long uphill sections. For multi-day tours, weight savings compound over many hours of climbing.
How long should touring skis be?
Height minus 5 to 10 cm for standard touring, height minus 10 to 15 cm for lightweight or race touring, equal to height for freeride touring. For a 175 cm skier: 165 to 170 cm standard, 160 to 165 cm lightweight, 175 cm freeride. Go shorter if under 65 kg, longer if over 85 kg.
How wide should touring skis be?
85 to 100 mm waist for standard all-around touring. Under 85 mm for race or speed touring (lightest, most efficient skinning). Over 100 mm for freeride touring in powder. Most first touring skis should be 88 to 95 mm as a versatile choice that balances skinning efficiency with descent performance.
Can I use alpine skis for touring (with frame bindings)?
Yes, with frame bindings (Marker Baron, Tyrolia Ambition), but alpine skis are 400 to 800 g heavier per ski. For occasional tours: workable. For regular touring: dedicated touring skis save enormous energy. The weight difference over a 1500 m ascent equals 2 to 4 kg of perceived extra effort per hour.
What is the difference between touring and alpine ski sizing?
Touring skis are 5 to 15 cm shorter than alpine skis for the same skier. Shorter equals lighter, easier kick turns, more maneuverable in variable backcountry snow. Width is equally important in touring: narrower waists (85 to 95 mm) skin more efficiently, wider waists (100+ mm) float better in powder. Alpine sizing focuses on length only.
How much does a touring ski setup cost?
Entry-level complete setup: 800 to 1500 USD (skis + bindings + skins + boots). Mid-range: 1500 to 2500 USD. Premium: 2500 to 4000+ USD. Plus mandatory safety gear (transceiver + probe + shovel): 400 to 800 USD. Renting first is recommended: 40 to 80 USD per day. Total first investment including safety: 1200 to 4800 USD.
Touring Ski Size Chart by Height, Weight and Style
A 175 cm skier weighing 75 kg needs 165 to 170 cm touring skis with 88 to 95 mm waist for standard touring, or 160 to 165 cm at 75 to 85 mm for lightweight or race touring. The chart below covers heights from 155 to 190 cm across all three touring styles, with length and waist width in each cell.
| Height | Weight | Lightweight / RaceLength / Width | Standard TouringLength / Width | Freeride TouringLength / Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 cm / 5'1" | 50-60 kg | 140-145 cm / 70-80 mm | 148-153 cm / 85-92 mm | 153-158 cm / 100-110 mm |
| 160 cm / 5'3" | 55-65 kg | 145-150 cm / 70-80 mm | 153-158 cm / 85-92 mm | 158-163 cm / 100-110 mm |
| 165 cm / 5'5" | 60-70 kg | 150-155 cm / 72-82 mm | 158-163 cm / 86-94 mm | 163-168 cm / 100-112 mm |
| 170 cm / 5'7" | 65-75 kg | 155-160 cm / 74-84 mm | 163-168 cm / 88-95 mm | 168-173 cm / 102-112 mm |
| 175 cm / 5'9" | 70-80 kg | 160-165 cm / 75-85 mm | 165-170 cm / 88-95 mm | 173-178 cm / 105-115 mm |
| 180 cm / 5'11" | 75-85 kg | 165-170 cm / 76-86 mm | 170-175 cm / 90-98 mm | 178-183 cm / 105-115 mm |
| 185 cm / 6'1" | 80-90 kg | 170-175 cm / 78-88 mm | 175-180 cm / 90-98 mm | 183-188 cm / 108-118 mm |
| 190 cm / 6'3" | 85-100 kg | 175-180 cm / 80-90 mm | 180-185 cm / 92-100 mm | 188-193 cm / 110-120 mm |
Three Styles of Ski Touring: How They Differ
Lightweight touring prioritizes uphill efficiency with skis under 1000 g per ski; freeride touring prioritizes descent performance with skis up to 1700 g per ski. Standard touring sits in the middle. The comparison below shows weight, width, length adjustment, performance trade-offs and example skis for each style.
| Factor | Lightweight / Race | Standard Touring | Freeride Touring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski weight (per ski) | 700-1000 g | 1000-1300 g | 1300-1700 g |
| Waist width | 65-85 mm | 85-100 mm | 100-120 mm |
| Length vs alpine | -10 to -15 cm | -5 to -10 cm | -5 cm to equal |
| Uphill efficiency | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Downhill performance | Basic | Good | Excellent |
| Powder float | Poor | Moderate | Excellent |
| Best for | Spring touring, skimo racing, long traverses | All-around backcountry, mixed conditions | Deep powder, steep couloirs, big mountain |
| Example skis | Dynafit Speed 76, Fischer Transalp 75, Movement Race Pro 66 | Atomic Backland 95, Salomon QST Echo 98, Black Crows Camox Freebird | DPS Pagoda Tour 112, Black Crows Navis Freebird, Blizzard Hustle 10 |
Why Width Matters More Than Length in Touring
In alpine skiing, length is king. In touring, width is equally important. A 70 mm touring ski skins 25 to 30 percent more efficiently than a 105 mm ski because there is less friction and less weight to push uphill. But that 70 mm ski sinks in powder and chatters on crud. Your touring style determines the optimal width: spring corn tours on 70 mm, mixed backcountry on 90 mm, powder hunting on 110 mm. The calculator above recommends width based on your intended use. For alpine ski sizing instead, see our ski length calculator.
Weight vs Performance: The Touring Tradeoff
Every 100 g saved per ski saves roughly 500 g of effort per hour of skinning (feet move about 5 times more than pack weight on the same vertical). A 1600 g freeride touring ski versus an 800 g race ski = 800 g difference per foot = around 4 kg of perceived effort per hour difference. Over a 1500 m ascent (3 to 4 hours), that gap is enormous. But ultralight skis sacrifice downhill performance. If you climb to ski, not ski to climb, weight savings matter less than descent capability. Know your priority before choosing.
Turning Radius for Touring: Why It Matters in the Backcountry
Turning radius affects how the ski behaves in variable snow. Short radius (14 to 18 m): quick turns in tight trees and couloirs. Medium radius (18 to 22 m): all-around backcountry. Long radius (22 to 28 m): stability at speed on open faces. Alpine skis have predictable radius on groomed snow. Touring skis deal with unpredictable snow (crud, crust, powder, ice), so a medium radius (18 to 22 m) is the safest all-around choice for most backcountry conditions.
Touring Ski Bindings: How They Affect Sizing
Pin-tech bindings (Dynafit, ATK, Marker Alpinist) add roughly 300 to 500 g per pair to your setup. Frame bindings (Marker Baron, Tyrolia Ambition) add 800 to 1200 g per pair. Shift and Cast hybrids add 400 to 600 g per pair. If using frame bindings, consider going 5 cm shorter than the pin-tech recommendation because the extra binding weight equals a longer ski in feel. The calculator above recommends length independent of binding type, so adjust accordingly. Touring pin bindings have different release mechanisms than alpine DIN, so calculate your DIN binding setting only if you ski with frame or hybrid bindings.
Skins: Mohair vs Nylon vs Mix
Climbing skins match your ski width. Cut to leave 2 to 3 mm of edge exposed on each side. Mohair: best glide uphill, less grip on steep ice. Nylon: best grip on steep ice, more drag. Mix (65/35 mohair/nylon): best all-around choice for most touring. Skin weight: mohair lightest (200 to 300 g per pair), nylon heaviest (300 to 400 g per pair). For race touring: mohair. For steep terrain: nylon. For everything else: mix.
Essential Safety Gear for Touring
Every backcountry tour requires the avalanche safety trinity: transceiver (Ortovox 3+, Mammut Barryvox), probe (240+ cm), shovel (metal blade). Cost: 400 to 800 USD for all three. Plus: first aid kit, phone with offline map, headlamp, emergency bivvy. Take an avalanche safety course before your first backcountry tour. Check your local avalanche forecast every time (avalanche.org in the US, lawiny.topr.pl in Poland). No powder day is worth your life.
Touring for Beginners: How to Start
Start at a resort with touring-friendly uphill policies. Many resorts now allow skinning on designated routes. This lets you practice skinning technique, transitions (skin on and off), and kick turns in a controlled environment. Rent touring gear before buying (rental: 40 to 80 USD per day vs buying: 1500 to 3000 USD for a full setup). Take a lesson or go with experienced friends. Your first tours should be 500 to 700 m vertical with straightforward, non-avalanche terrain. Build up gradually. Match your touring setup with the right ski pole length and the correct boot flex for your ability.
Last updated: May 2026. Based on current touring ski geometry data from Dynafit, Atomic, Salomon, Black Crows, DPS, Fischer, and Movement.
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.
Sources: ISO 11088 and Dynafit Touring Fit Guide
How touring ski parameters are calculated