Skate ski size chart

Skate ski length by weight

Brand columns: Nordic ski sizing guide (brand columns by weight) (Rossignol, Fischer, Atomic, Madshus recreational skate columns), checked 2026-10-21. Model charts, read at every printed band that holds the weight: How to choose nordic skating skis (X-ium length by weight); Salomon size guide, Nordic Ski: Endurance Skate RS8 & RS7 and S/LAB, Racing & RS Skate; both checked 2026-10-26. Pounds are converted from the printed kilograms (1 kg = 2.20462 lb).

The bold column is the general answer: it spans what the four brands' recreational skate columns print for that weight. Rossignol reads 180-186, Fischer reads 181-186, Atomic reads 184, Madshus reads 177-182 at 160 lb. The three model charts are each brand's own chart for one ski line, so they sit in their own columns and are not folded into the span. Salomon's bands overlap (on its RS8 and RS7 chart 179 X-STIFF and 191 are both printed for 70 - 90 kg), so a weight can read two of its lengths; both are shown.

At the light end, 100 lb reads 163–178 cm on the brand columns; at the heavy end, 220 lb reads 190–192 cm, where Salomon Endurance Skate RS8 & RS7 and Salomon S/LAB, Racing & RS Skate switch to X-STIFF skis. Rossignol's guide explains the direction within a range: "Shorter skis are ideal for beginners as they offer better maneuverability and help with stability during turns." and "Longer skis are typically preferred by expert skiers as they provide a more efficient glide and better power transfer".

All the skate charts as printed

Brand columns by weight (Kunstadt)

Rossignol X-ium skate

Salomon Endurance Skate RS8 & RS7

Salomon S/LAB, Racing & RS Skate

Rossignol prints its X-ium table in its guide's section on skate ski length, which opens: "When selecting skating skis, weight is the most important factor to ensure optimal performance and comfort." Salomon prints both skate lines in its size guide, under both its men's and its women's selector; they were read under the men's selector. Checked 2026-10-26.

Skate or classic: how much shorter

By weight the two techniques overlap on Kunstadt's brand columns, because the classic columns include short backcountry and stiff-flex skis: 100 lb reads 163–178 cm skate and 165–186 cm classic; 120 lb reads 163–178 cm skate and 165–186 cm classic; 140 lb reads 172–184 cm skate and 174–196 cm classic; 160 lb reads 177–186 cm skate and 175–201 cm classic; 180 lb reads 182–192 cm skate and 184–206 cm classic; 200 lb reads 187–192 cm skate and 194–207 cm classic; 220 lb reads 190–192 cm skate and 195–207 cm classic. By height the difference is plain. Kunstadt: "Classic skis should be 10-30 cm taller than the skier", while "skate skis can range from the skier's height up to 15 cm taller". Madshus's height table puts the skate ski below the classic ski at 12 of its 12 heights:

Madshus adult cross-country size guide (published by SkatePro), checked 2026-10-21. Weight is the main read on every chart here; height is a cross-check.

Skate pole length by height

Skate poles are longer than classic poles: on Salomon's table the skate pole is 5–10 cm longer than the classic pole at every height from 150 to 195 cm. Rossignol gives a rule instead of a table: "The ideal skate ski pole length is typically your height minus 20 to 15 cm, or your height multiplied by 0.89." and "For Classic skiing, the pole length is generally your height minus 30 cm or your height multiplied by 0.84." Applied to each height below, Salomon's skate length falls inside Rossignol's minus-20-to-15 range at 10 of the 10 heights.

Charts: Salomon size guide, Nordic Ski Poles; How to choose nordic poles: guide to length, size. Both checked 2026-10-26. Rossignol's columns are its own rule applied to the height (the × factor rounded to the nearest centimetre); Salomon's are read from its table. Downhill poles are sized differently: alpine ski pole size.

Related sizes

Classic and skate together, with the full classic columns: cross-country ski size by weight. Boots use mondopoint: ski boot size. Downhill: ski length by height. Size XC skis with your own profile

Published starting points, not a fitting; race skis are fitted by flex testing. See the methodology for sources and exclusions.