Skiing Poles – How to Pick the Right Ones For You

When you are first learning to ski and are focused so hard on what to do with your feet, your skiing poles make seem like a bother and an irritation. Of course, if you are going cross-country skiing, your poles play an important role in propelling you through the snow. But alpine and downhill skiers sometimes consider them unnecessary. The truth is, as you being to ski steeper terrain and to learn more advanced skiing techniques; your poles become more and more important.

Many people only consider skiing poles as an afterthought when they are making their equipment purchases. Usually, you’re so focused on finding boots that fit, skis of the right length, and bindings to go on the skis, that you only think of ski poles because the salesperson in the shop reminds you!

Skiing Poles have three parts. First, there’s the grip and strap at the top where you grasp the pole. Second, there the shaft is the metal tube that is the main component of the pole. Third and finally, there’s the basket near the bottom of the shaft that prevents the pole from sinking into the snow.

Skiing Pole Grips

The grip of the pole is the most important consideration when choosing a good ski pole. After all, this is the area you will handle the most. Normally, your grip will have indentations for the fingers and wider ends to provide additional hand support. The strap is simply an adjustable loop of leather or plastic that is attached to the top of the grip. Make sure the strap is loose enough to slip your hand through while you’re wearing gloves or mittens, but tight enough so that the bottom of the strap supports the bottom of your hand.

Note that wrist and thumb injuries are very common in skiing, and are often linked with a skier falling and not letting go of the pole! Also, if you’re skiing through dense trees, it is advisable to remove the pole straps from your wrists. If you snag a pole on a branch, it could pull your arm backwards and either dislocate or sprain your shoulder.

Skiing Pole Shafts

Second in importance is the shaft of the ski pole. If you are looking for something sturdy and cost-effective, choose an aluminum shaft. Aluminum is a little heavier than some current materials, but it makes for a good shaft. In fact, most rental poles you find at resorts are made of aluminum. Some of the newer materials used in shafts include graphite, graphite/carbon, and composite materials. These are much more lightweight than aluminum models, but they are more likely to break. They are also more expensive than aluminum poles.

One other factor to consider with ski pole shafts is the shape of the pole. There are curved poles for people who like to race downhill, there are models with build-in shock absorbers for mogul skiers who ski aggressively, and there are even poles with adjustable lengths available.

Skiing Pole Baskets

Finally, as for the pole basket, this is simply a disk a few inches above the tip of the ski that keeps the pole from sinking into the snow when you plant the pole in the snow. Baskets are typically made of some kind of durable plastic and come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your skiing needs. If you’re a downhill racer, choose a cone-shaped model to reduce your drag. If you’re a deep snow skier, choose a basket with a larger diameter.

The Final Word on Poles

Some of the more popular brands of ski poles are Rossignol ski poles, Swix ski poles, and Leki poles. So, as you go shopping for all your ski equipment, remember to give some thoughtful consideration to your ski poles. Pay attention to the feel of the grip in your hand, the construction of the pole shaft, and what type of basket you need for the type of snow you will normally encounter. As for the length of the pole, it’s simply a matter of your height. The best method is to turn the pole upside down, placing the grip on the floor and grab the shaft directly under the upside down basket. If your forearm is parallel to the floor, you’ve found the right length!

By: David Caban

About the Author:

business marketing strategy