Skisailor
Angel Diva
Shorter poles won't make someone get forward, but poles that are too long
will really hamper their ability to do so.
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Ski pole length question
- Thread starter SkiQT
- Start date
Shorter poles won't make someone get forward, but poles that are too long
will really hamper their ability to do so.
CarverJill
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I just had my poles cut down by 3" 
.
I skied with @SnowHot and her husband Phil yesterday and both thought my poles were too long. Phil is taller than me by a few inches and had shorter poles. After trying his poles I decided they were right I needed to get mine shortened. It was cool the dude at the shop didn't charge me either!
TBH I have hated poles ever since I was a kid. I used to leave them at the base for good chunks of the day- until they got stolen! When I started skiing again after snowboarding for 10 years I didn't use poles for about 3 seasons. I also have always worried that I'll inadvertently plant one between my legs when going 50mph. Due to that concern I tend to swing them around to get then forward rather than swing straight in front of me after a pole plant. Hopefully this is the start to a new chapter of my relationship with ski poles.
. I skied with @SnowHot and her husband Phil yesterday and both thought my poles were too long. Phil is taller than me by a few inches and had shorter poles. After trying his poles I decided they were right I needed to get mine shortened. It was cool the dude at the shop didn't charge me either!
TBH I have hated poles ever since I was a kid. I used to leave them at the base for good chunks of the day- until they got stolen! When I started skiing again after snowboarding for 10 years I didn't use poles for about 3 seasons. I also have always worried that I'll inadvertently plant one between my legs when going 50mph. Due to that concern I tend to swing them around to get then forward rather than swing straight in front of me after a pole plant. Hopefully this is the start to a new chapter of my relationship with ski poles.
floridakeysskibum
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
After reading all these comments, I’m considering adjustable poles. For years I have known my poles are too long, so I’ve just chocked up on them, no big deal. But I like the idea of having the option to change them for the terrain we ski. Oh and btw, the long poles will come in handy the next few days 
marzNC
Angel Diva
I got adjustable poles several years ago for other reasons. Has been good to be able to play with different lengths as my technique improved and I started skiing more bumps and steeper terrain. Had already cut down my old (circa 1982) poles by an inch (or two?) by the time I got the adjustable poles. Have since gone down another 5cm in terms of where I set the adjustable poles for general skiing.After reading all these comments, I’m considering adjustable poles. For years I have known my poles are too long, so I’ve just chocked up on them, no big deal. But I like the idea of having the option to change them for the terrain we ski. Oh and btw, the long poles will come in handy the next few days
Skied with some junior poles that were even a little shorter during the Taos Ski Week in Feb. Felt pretty good.
Plus side to adjustable poles was that I could bring them on the plane when I flew carry-on only recently. It was a short trip so I only brought boots and poles, no skis. One of the places I rented was happy I had my own poles because their selection of shorter poles was pretty limited.
SnowHot
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
You looked so much more balanced with the shorter poles.I just had my poles cut down by 3"
I skied with @SnowHot and her husband Phil yesterday and both thought my poles were too long. Phil is taller than me by a few inches and had shorter poles. After trying his poles I decided they were right I needed to get mine shortened. It was cool the dude at the shop didn't charge me either!
TBH I have hated poles ever since I was a kid. I used to leave them at the base for good chunks of the day- until they got stolen! When I started skiing again after snowboarding for 10 years I didn't use poles for about 3 seasons. I also have always worried that I'll inadvertently plant one between my legs when going 50mph. Due to that concern I tend to swing them around to get then forward rather than swing straight in front of me after a pole plant. Hopefully this is the start to a new chapter of my relationship with ski poles.
Glad it helped.
Keep in mind, adjustable poles are fairly heavy and the swing weight may throw you off.After reading all these comments, I’m considering adjustable poles. For years I have known my poles are too long, so I’ve just chocked up on them, no big deal. But I like the idea of having the option to change them for the terrain we ski. Oh and btw, the long poles will come in handy the next few days
Most places that you ski will rent poles for 5 bucks or less if you want to try a few different lengths.
Albertan ski girl
Angel Diva
I actually just switched poles with DS who has outgrown his. And it is much better! But I still think they're a little too high. I think I want about 2 inches shorter. But it's much better.
SnowHot
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
This has probably already been said in this thread, but...
In the old days we used to turn the pole upside down and put our hand under the basket. If our elbows was at a 90º bend or less, the pole was a good length. Now we measure 90º or slightly more for a good measurement.
Add the fact that some of us may be entering the osteoporosis stage of life and well....
We don't ski the same length pole we used to.
slyfox4
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
This thread has inspired me to get new poles. My skiing has improved greatly this year, and my ski buddy recommended shorter poles to help me lean more forward and to keep my hands in front of me instead of at my side. I'm using poles from 8th grade...so circa 2008? I can't believe they set me up with poles that big!
santacruz skier
Angel Diva
Our Taos instructor thought mine were a tad short at 41" I think. They are Grasssticks bamboo and custom ordered. @marzNC and I switched as she is an inch shorter and she has adjustable poles. Think I am in the middle between 105 and 110 so will need more custom poles or adjustable. The shorter poles were causing me to bend over a little in the bumps. Instructor two years ago in Taos had same comment.
Skisailor
Angel Diva
How tall are you? Can you do a pole touch - swing it through - without it affecting your hand position ?
santacruz skier
Angel Diva
I'm 5'1 . I haven't tried but two L3 instructors had the same comment. We were videotaped and longer poles looked better. Now 110's are clearly too long but 105 caused me to reach too far...
Skisailor
Angel Diva
I’m 5’2” and ski with 41” poles. There are lots of ways to ski bumps.
I don’t ever feel that I am “reaching” for any pole touch - especially in bumps. It’s very quiet. Hands and arms should stay put. But I know that some bump instructors advocate a different kind of pole touch from the one I try to use.
newboots
Angel Diva
41" = 104 cm
43.3" = 110 cm
45" = 114.3 cm
I'm 5'4" and I ski with a 45" pole (I think). I am all arms and legs, very short torso, if that makes a difference. I believe my arms are longer than most people who are 5'4".
I was googling with the inches and cm because I can't follow the discussion otherwise!
Carry on . . .
(ETA: I don't ski bumps yet!)
43.3" = 110 cm
45" = 114.3 cm
I'm 5'4" and I ski with a 45" pole (I think). I am all arms and legs, very short torso, if that makes a difference. I believe my arms are longer than most people who are 5'4".
I was googling with the inches and cm because I can't follow the discussion otherwise!
Carry on . . .
(ETA: I don't ski bumps yet!)
marzNC
Angel Diva
41 inches = 104 cm
41.3 inches = 105 cm
42 inches = 106 cm
43.3 inches = 110 cm
I used to set the adjustable poles at 110cm. But switched to 105cm a few years ago. Bought a pair of regular poles that are 41 inches last spring on sale. That was after using my daughter's 41" poles for a season. I say I'm 5'0" but actually about an inch shorter at this point (over 60).
MissySki
Angel Diva
Sounds like we are very similarly built! I am also 5’4” and have long monkey arms and legs for my size with a very short torso lol. I’m one of the people who was trying out others’ shorter poles during diva west because I’ve been skiing with 46” long poles that have started feeling too long in bumps. I’m going to have mine cut down a bit, either by 1 or 2 inches to start. I also have a set of adjustable poles for snowshoeing etc., so I might play around with those a little to dial in exactly how much I want to cut.
MissySki
Angel Diva
Has anyone had their Leki trigger poles cut? I went to the shop at Sunday River to inquire about this today, and the techs I spoke to were not into it at all. They said the grips are a real pain to get off and that the required heating to do so often damages them. Their suggestion was to just get a new pair in the desired size, or even better to get adjustable ones. Ugh, but I really like my current poles..
