What size skis should I get for downhill skiing?

I've been googling forever now and I haven't found an exact answer. I'm a beginner (been skiing a few times, I'm ok at it) I'm planning to take 3 full days of lessons in February. I recently moved about 5 minutes away from one of the best skiing areas in the country so I want to learn and go regularly. I don't plan on ever being an expert but I hope to at least be an intermediate skier. I'm 5'4 and 140 pounds. I'm not sure if it makes a difference (except for the boots, obviously) but I wear a size 6 shoe. My friend wants me to buy these 167 cm ones that she found cheap, but I'm concerned they'll be way too long for my ability level. Some of the stuff I've read says that beginners should use chin level, and since my total height is 163 cm it makes sense to me that I'd need shorter ones. But some other things I'm seeing are saying that they need to be a few inches taller than you, even for beginners. Which is correct?