After you've identified the type of cross country skiing you wish to do, the most important thing to pay attention to when choosing the right ski size is weight. We’ve included a size chart below which indicates what size of cross country ski you should choose depending on your weight and the style of cross country skiing you plan to do.

Inputting this into the ski size calculator tells us that the ideal size lies within the range of 149-155 cm. Borrowing skis from someone intermediate may not be the best idea unless they're shorter or lighter. How to size cross-country skis? Slightly different rules govern cross-country skis. To find your size: Find your height in centimeters.

In cross-country skiing, ski size is determined primarily by your weight, not your height (as opposed to alpine skiing or ski touring, for example). Whether you’re looking for cross-country skis for skate skiing, classic cross-country or even Nordic touring, ski manufacturers will provide you with a size chart based on the weight of the skier.

Ensuring your cross country skis are the right length means you can control your skis, turn with ease and stop with minimal effort(Image credit: Uwe Moser) When gearing up for cross country skiing, the first question you should be asking yourself is what size cross country skis do I need?