The Purpose of Ski Poles

When you first learned to ski, there’s a good chance that you learned without using ski poles. Eventually, as you began to ski steeper terrain, you learned about the pole plant, which is now referred to as a pole touch. However, if you ride the chair lift, you might notice that many people are either not using their poles or using them in a way that is either ineffective or downright bizarre!

Many people constantly hold their poles behind them, which puts them in a position known as “the backseat.” Others hold them wide and flail them about, perhaps as a means of protecting themselves from snowboarders! Still others use them in the worst way possible: as a form of balance, or as a way to stop. Ski balance should come from posture, alignment and core musculature. Stopping is accomplished by turning your skis up the hill. Ski poles serve a different purpose.

So what is this divine purpose of which we speak? First off, ski poles are useful in steeper terrain. Your pole touch helps you keep your body facing down the hill. This in turn helps you keep your weight forward, as opposed to back. Ski poles can also be used on flat terrain, as a means of propelling oneself until there is sufficient pitch for downhill momentum. Last but not least, ski poles can also be used to scrape off boots that have accumulated too much snow.

Keep in mind that your pole touch should happen prior to your turn initiation. It becomes irrelevant once the turn has started. In most cases, your instructor will advise you to keep your poles facing down the hill. When carrying your poles in the base area, please make sure that they are facing toward the ground. The folks behind you might take issue with being stabbed by your pole tips!

Choosing Cross Country Ski Pole Materials

Your choice of cross country ski pole depends on the type of cross country skiing you most enjoy. You should also take into account the ski pole’s weight, rigidity, flexibility and balance. Additionally, basket size, shaft and pole straps should be considered.

For example, if you prefer to cross country ski on groomed terrain, you will be best served by ski poles that are designed with smaller, asymmetrical baskets. These smaller and lighter ski pole baskets provide an excellent grip in shallow snow. However, smaller baskets have a tendency to literally lose ground in ungroomed and deeper snow. If you prefer to ski in these more challenging conditions, you might require a larger ski pole basket. Some experts suggest that leather baskets are best for Nordic skiers who enjoy practicing their sport in variable snow conditions. However, these baskets are not suitable for groomed snow.

When choosing the shaft materials of you cross country ski poles, keep in mind that the lightest pole shafts are composed of 100% carbon fiber. However, these shafts have a tendency to get damaged by sharp edges or unexpected impact. In contrast, aluminum ski pole shafts are more durable, but their heavier weight may cause balance issues for next experienced cross country skiers.

Your choice of cross country ski handle is mostly a matter of personal preference. In most cases, a softer handle is more comfortable than a one-component plastic handle. Some cross-country skiers find that a handle composed of natural cork is much warmer than a handle composed of plastic

Anatomy of a Ski Pole

The ski pole, which is a seemingly simple piece of equipment, is actually composed of a number of important components. When you first take hold of your ski pole, you will be holding it by its handle, which is often called the “grip.” You will notice that the grip or handle is designed with indentations for your fingers. It also has an adjustable strap, which can be loosened or tightened to fit your hand and glove size. Keep in mind that this strap should always be tight enough to support the heel of your hand. However, it should never be so tight as to cut off circulation.

The ski pole shaft is the pole’s main component. While it is often composed of light metal, graphite or aluminum, in recent years, manufacturers have begun to create ski poles that are composed of composite materials. These poles tend to be somewhat lighter than other ski poles. The tip, which is located at the end of the shaft, is (hopefully) the first part of the pole to make contact with the snow. However, it is important that the tip does not sink into the snow. Imagine the consequences if your pole tip is stuck in deep powder, but your skis keep moving! For this reason, all ski poles have a basket. Those who have the luxury of skiing powder will often use poles with bigger baskets. However, this is not needed for groomed terrain. Since many ski poles come with interchangeable baskets, there is no need to buy a separate set of poles for occasional visits to powder-rich resorts.

How to Choose Ski Pole Length

While you might want to experiment with ski poles at your local ski shop, keep in mind that if you buy them there, you will usually be paying a pretty high price. However, there is no harm in using the ski shop to find your proper length. Once you have found the right ski pole, go to skis.com and check out their extensive selection of affordable ski poles. The first factor to be considered when choosing ski poles is ski pole length. If your poles are too short, you will have a distorted ski stance. In general, this will cause too much upper body flexion. However, shorter ski poles do have their use in mogul skiing, especially in super-sized moguls that might be as tall as your waist!

On the other hand, ski poles that are too long will cause your ski stance into an overly upright position. This might interfere with your ability to get your weight forward. Additionally, overly long ski poles might affect the fluidity of your pole swing maneuvers.

In order to find your ideal ski pole length, you will first need to turn the pole upside down. This will be the only time you will hold the pole by its tips! Assume a ski stance, and place the poles in front of your feet. Your hands should be in a skiing position. The basket should be directly above your fist. Is your forearm at a 90 degree angle? If so, this is the right pole length. If not, try a ski pole of a different length. The next step is very important. Once you find your correct ski pole length, be sure to write it down! Then go to skis.com and order your ski poles at a significant savings!

Ski Binding Mount and Maintenance

For most recreational skiers, it is important to have their ski bindings mounted in accordance with the ski manufacturers specifications. The exception to the rule is terrain park skiers, who will want their binding mounted in accordance with their personal preferences. Keep in mind that 90 percent of all modern ski bindings are part of an inteegrated system.

If you store your skis on your car rack, make sure to cover the bindings, lest they pick up dirt and grime along the way. Prior to the start of each ski season, make sure to have your bindings checked and adjusted.

Choosing Ski Poles by Materials, Shape and Swing Weight

As we mentioned when we described ski pole components, your poles might be a composed of a variety of different materials. If you are looking for a lightweight and strong ski pole, you should probably choose one that is composed of graphite. If affordability is an issue, aluminum ski poles tend to be the least expensive. However, in the event of a crash, they have been voted as the poles most likely to snap.

Mogul maniacs might want to look for ski poles that have internal shock absorbers. In general, racers look for ski poles with curved shafts, which provide enhanced swing weight efficiency. The term swing weight refers to the amount of energy a skier requires to swing his or her poles on various types of terrain. It is determined by a ratio of body weight and personal strength. Choosing the correct swing weight of a ski pole is crucial for slope performance. If you choose a ski pole with a heavy swing weight, you will require excessive tension while swinging your poles. This tension can deplete your energy. In contrast, poles that have a light swing weight might be overpowered by a stronger skier. However, newer skiers, who are less knowledgeable about ski pole technique, often prefer a somewhat lighter swing weight. This keeps them from developing excessive tension during the learning process.