What about Poles

[Kano]

Speaking of gear, and speaking of a place to ask questions, this maybe falls under the heading of silly ones...

(perhaps if there's one thing I'm good at, it's being a newbie?)

I've got the poles I started skiing with. Ugly Rossignol poles, aluminum with blue paint. Got 'em at the rental shop when we rented those first Rossi Cut 10 skis to learn on.

There's all these poles in the stores and online, and they have a wide range of price tags. What's the difference? I mean, some are pre-bent (DH does a fine job of bending his own poles, doesn't pay extra, just bangs 'em around a bit while skiing. Then he wants new, straight ones again!) Some are thin, some have pretty paint jobs, y'know...

So, for years I've wondered -- what's the deal? They just seem like sticks with points and handgrips to me! If I knew more about them, would I just HAVE to have something "better" to use? Or is it just a matter of a paint job I like?


Kano

 

[Bravosarah]

The bent ones are for racing, they wrap around the skiers body for less drag.

Every year it seems poles are lighter and lighter.

Smaller baskets are for hardpack and larger baskets are for powder. Some have hand protectors for slalom racers. Other than that it's pretty much strength, weight, and style.

I have an old pair of Scotts, one is slightly bent when I skied over it and they're full of paint chips. I love them - they show experience!

 

[abc]

Thank you, Kano, for asking a question that's also in my mind.

it's pretty much strength, weight, and style

OK, so if I ignore "style". What difference does it make to have lighter poles? I'm sure it's got nothing to do with carrying them from the car to the lift since skis weight so much more.

As for strength, who else here has bend their poles repeatedly? Apart from Mr. Kano, that is. ;-)

 

[Pequenita]

I've bent two, but I was able to get a shop to unbend my current, aluminium poles, which are from circa 1992.

 

[Shellski]

I love carbon fibre poles, as I have said before in a thread, I like the fact that they are skinnier - I can't wrap my hand around two aluminium poles to hold on to them (I have small hands) but don't have the problem with composite poles.

I had a banged up ugly pair for years, until I found the gorgeous K2 one's that matched my Burnin's, then I bought another pair of K2 5-carats. Do they add to the performance? I'm sure they don't but they sure look pretty.

 

[Bravosarah]

What difference does it make to have lighter poles?

Proper pole technique is to tap the snow with one pole while keeping the other in the air. If you do this all day, you'll value the lighter poles.

I'm sure the ski pro Divas with be able to explain a lot better then I can, but that's the gist. The lighter the better, although my old poles do just fine for me.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Aluminum poles bend. The earliest composite poles snapped like twigs, possibly an advantage to frequent tree skiers? Now, with the newer technology, they are much stronger. A bit of a different rebound feel and touch when you plant one - some people just don't like that "feel." One caveat: if you do go bigger bucks for poles, secure them. There are ski resorts where they seem to "disappear" Theft stinks.

 

[perma-grin]

The newer skinny, lighter, stiffer composite poles have a lower swing weight that aides in the cadence of your turns. Less weight helps you keep your hands up reaching into the direction of the new turn with elbows in front of your hip bones( which is a good thing) vs. hands dropped down by your thighs, elbows beside your hips. Which pulls your weight back to your heels ( which is a bad thing). Plus they just look cooler!

 

[Kano]

Thank you, Kano, for asking a question that's also in my mind.

You're welcome, abc! In my other life, I teach little old ladies how to save files on their computers -- I'm learning that there's always someone else wondering those things that seem so silly to ask too!

Kano

 

[robynb]

I've got a pair of Scott composite poles that I've had for several years now.
They're actually junior race poles but they fit my hands really well. (I have small hands as well). I really like them a lot. Plus, I think they look pretty good too!

 

[Bravosarah]

They're actually junior race poles but they fit my hands really well. (I have small hands as well).

I've never thought of Jr. poles, I have small hands too. That's brilliant!

 

[robynb]

It worked out so well I got a pair of junior race skis as well! They've been a blast in the Nastar courses.

 

[skigrl27]

I bought a pair of carbon fiber poles at a Flex sale early this season. I HATED them...the hand grips and straps were just all wrong. I never thought I could hate poles so much!! lol

Luckily my boss bought them off me for what I paid for them. I'm back to my old Leki poles with nice hand grips & straps.

Advice - bring your gloves with you while shopping for poles and mess with the straps too.

 

[robynb]

Great point about bringing your ski gloves along.
That's so easy to forget.