"What length ski should I buy?" There are standard formulas relating your skill level, weight and height to a nominal ski length. For alpine beginners length's center around 160 CM, intermediates around 180 CM and experts around 195 CM. Weight modifies these by about 10 CM in either direction and some people argue about whether height matters at all. Note that it is not a good idea to use skis longer than you are comfortable with (don't let ego decide), but once you reach a certain level of proficiency most people can work up to an "expert" lengths with little difficulty. This is a good reason for renting, rather than buying skis during the learning stages. For classical nordic skiing some people reccommend a XC ski length that comes up to your upraised wrist, but this can end up specifying a ski that's way too long, especially if you're long-limbed or light for your height. In any event, the ski should be no longer than this, and no shorter than about 6" taller than your height. A ski that's too long will be difficult to control and may be too stiff. For skating the skiis will be somewhat shorter, although skating on classical skiis is possible (slightly better technique required...) In general get fitted by a professional, not by someone who sells toasters and TV's.