For alpine skiing, start with the manufacturer's height chart, then confirm the pole with your ski boots on. Rossignol's alpine chart maps a 170 to 175 cm skier to a 120 cm pole; its fit check also places the elbow at a right angle with the upper arm close to the body. Treat the chart as brand guidance and verify another manufacturer's measurements before buying.
An alpine pole should match your height and feel natural in your ski stance. Use the chart for the exact pole model and confirm its length with the grip test before removing tags or adjusting straps.
Rossignol’s alpine pole chart
The chart below reproduces the skier-height mapping on Rossignol’s Tactic Plus alpine pole product page. Other brands and pole disciplines may give different tables.
| Skier height | Pole length |
|---|---|
| 100 cm / 3 ft 3 in | 70 cm / 28 in |
| 105 to 110 cm / 3 ft 5 in to 3 ft 7 in | 75 cm / 30 in |
| 115 cm / 3 ft 9 in | 80 cm / 31 in |
| 120 cm / 3 ft 11 in | 85 cm / 33 in |
| 125 to 130 cm / 4 ft 1 in to 4 ft 3 in | 90 cm / 35 in |
| 135 cm / 4 ft 5 in | 95 cm / 37 in |
| 140 to 145 cm / 4 ft 7 in to 4 ft 9 in | 100 cm / 39 in |
| 150 cm / 4 ft 11 in | 105 cm / 41 in |
| 155 to 160 cm / 5 ft 1 in to 5 ft 3 in | 110 cm / 43 in |
| 165 cm / 5 ft 5 in | 115 cm / 45 in |
| 170 to 175 cm / 5 ft 7 in to 5 ft 9 in | 120 cm / 47 in |
| 180 cm / 5 ft 11 in | 125 cm / 49 in |
| 185 cm / 6 ft 1 in | 130 cm / 51 in |
| 190 to 195 cm / 6 ft 3 in to 6 ft 5 in | 135 cm / 53 in |
| 200 cm / 6 ft 7 in | 140 cm / 55 in |
Confirm with the right-angle check
Wear your ski boots if possible. Turn the pole upside down and hold it below the basket, with the grip on the floor. Keep the upper arm close to your body. The forearm should meet the upper arm at roughly a right angle when the pole is the appropriate length, following Rossignol’s instructions.
If the measurement and chart suggest different sizes, try the neighboring lengths if the shop allows, and use the exact brand chart. Pole style and intended use matter too, so compare product descriptions rather than transferring a length from a different discipline.
Compare pole features
| Feature | What to check |
|---|---|
| Length | Manufacturer chart and on-boot fit check |
| Shaft | Material and fixed or adjustable design |
| Grip | Comfort with the glove or mitten you will wear |
| Strap | Adjustment and the maker’s use instructions |
| Basket | Size and shape suited to the pole’s stated terrain |
Related: ski binding DIN settings, ski gloves vs mittens, ski length chart, and insulated vs shell ski jackets. Visit the ski hub.
Sources
Common questions
How long should ski poles be for my height?
Use the size chart for the specific alpine pole you are considering, then check the grip with your boots on and elbow bent at a right angle.
How do you check ski pole length?
Rossignol advises holding the pole upside down below the basket with the tip on the floor; the upper arm stays close to the body and the elbow forms a right angle.
What ski pole size for someone 5 foot 8?
Five foot eight is about 173 cm; Rossignol's chart maps 170 to 175 cm height to a 120 cm alpine pole. Check the exact model chart and fit.
Are ski poles supposed to reach your armpits?
For alpine poles, use the manufacturer's height chart and the grip check rather than an armpit rule; touring and Nordic poles use different sizing guidance.