Ski poles are often overlooked by many beginner skiers, but they can be a valuable tool for improving balance, control, and overall performance on the slopes. So, whether you're a newbie or a seasoned skier, it's time to give your poles the respect they deserve! Here are some tips on how to use your poles while skiing.
Pole planting in skiing is like the secret handshake of the slopes—a quirky dance move that seasoned skiers use to spice up their downhill performance. It's the art of strategically stabbing the snow with your ski poles to keep your balance and flaunt your style. Picture this: you're gracefully carving down the mountain, and just when you think your ski routine needs a little pizzazz, enter the pole plant. With a deft jab here and a well-timed poke there, you're not just skiing; you're orchestrating a symphony on snow. Pole planting is the choreography that turns your descent into a rhythmic masterpiece, ensuring you glide through the slopes with flair and finesse. So, next time you hit the hills, channel your inner snow ninja, and let the pole planting magic unfold!
If you're skiing on a flat section or need a little extra speed, use your poles to push yourself forward. Place the poles in front of you and push off the ground to gain some momentum.
Here are some tips to pushing with your poles while skiing:
Keep Your Body Centered: Stay balanced and centered over your skis as you push, and avoid leaning too far forward or back. This will help you maintain control and avoid falls.
Use Your Arms and Legs: Push off with your leg while simultaneously using your arms to help generate forward momentum. Your arm motion should be similar to that of a running motion.
Keep Your Skis Parallel: Make sure that your skis remain parallel as you push. This will help you maintain control and balance, and prevent your skis from crossing over each other.
In addition to stopping with your skis, you can also use your poles to slow down or stop. However, it is important to only do this while you are moving very slowly, say for example in a lift line.
Hold the poles parallel to each other in front of you, then push them into the snow to create some resistance and help slow you down.
Finally, your ski poles can be used to signal to other skiers or snowboarders on the slopes. Use them to point out obstacles or hazards, or to signal which way you're planning to turn.
So, don't underestimate the power of your ski poles! They may not seem like much, but they can make a big difference in your skiing experience. Just remember to use them in a safe and responsible manner, and always stay in control.
As your poles have a number of important uses, it’s essential to have poles that are the right length for you. If you want to find out how to make sure that you are using the correct length of poles, check out our article here.
When straps are not attached properly, they lead to a loss of tension, which prevents proper planting when needed. In addition, skiers often end up injuring themselves when they fall because their thumbs get caught in the strap, or they drop their poles and have to hike back up to collect them because they didn't have the straps on at all.
The most common poor skiing habit is when skiers drag their hands down by their sides. This sloppy skiing causes them to miss their pole plant, rendering their poles useless and adding unnecessary weight. Instead, it's essential to keep your hands positioned in front of you like you would on a steering wheel. This technique will aid in maintaining balance, and a simple flick of the wrist forwards or backwards will initiate the pole plant, ensuring that everything works together.
Another bad habit is exaggeration. Many skiers tend to have too much movement and flamboyancy in their arms, flailing their poles around. Not only is this dangerous to others, but the excess movement also releases too much pressure and control, making it even harder to ski.
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or, check out our DIN calculator to find the binding settings that you should be using.