Correct Rossignol Ski Length

Rossignol makes skis, ski boots, bindings and ski clothing. Its ski offerings include planks for alpine, backcountry touring, cross country and skate skiing. Each style of ski is matched and sized to the skier differently. You figure this out based on snow conditions where you ski, style of skiing, your height and wight and your level of ability. There are several base-level formulas to use when sizing up Rossignol skis.

Things You'll Need

  • Weight scale
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Instructions

  1. Cross Country, Skate and Nordic

    • 1

      Step on the scale and get your current and accurate weight. Wear your ski clothing on the scale.

    • 2

      Stand up straight, preferably while wearing your cross country ski boots.

    • 3

      Hold your arm up over your shoulder. Place the ski next to the body on the side of the extended arm. The ski tip should come to just below the wrist of the extended arm. Find a Rossignol ski in this length for your cross country needs. Rossignol skis are measured in millimeters.

    • 4

      Consult a weight chart for the Rossignol skis (see Resources) to calibrate your height and weight to get Rossignol's recommended size.

    Alpine and Backcountry Touring

    • 5

      Determine the areas your will be doing most of your skiing. Look at snow conditions, your ski ability -- beginner, intermediate, advanced or expert -- your height and your weight. Ask if you will be skiing lifts or the backcountry.

    • 6

      Select a shorter and fatter ski offered in the Rossignol line if your skiing will be done in powder or fresh snow conditions. The shorter and fatter, the more float the ski has and the easier it is to turn in deep powder. Rossignol sizes Alpine and backcountry skis in millimeters. An example would be the Avenger 82. The measurements are 128-82-112, which means the tail of the ski is 112 mm wide, the midsection (also called the waist) is 82 mm and the tip is 128 mm.

    • 7

      Select a longer and narrower ski if your ski style is on tracked and groomed runs or you will be racing downhill. Long and narrow Rossignol skis give extra speed over groomed snow but are not good in deep powder. Select a size and length based on your ski ability. The better the skier, the longer the ski.

    • 8

      Use the Rossignol recommended correction formula of -5/-10 millimeters on the ski length based on the ski's average if you are below intermediate level in ability and +5/+10 if advanced to expert.