Ski Poles?

do you use pole straps or not? I use em on the way up in the bc but even tho I like the wrist action using straps going down I am more often than not in the trees SO I take em off my wrists in case they snag on something going dh and kack yer shoulder/arm/wrist

btw I always thro an extra pole in the thule if I go on a trip … don't wana be buying a set of 50$ poles at a resort if something breaks

do you use pole straps or not? I use em on the way up in the bc but even tho I like the wrist action using straps going down I am more often than not in the trees SO I take em off my wrists in case they snag on something going dh

btw I always thro an extra pole in the thule if I go on a trip … don't wana be buying a set of 50$ poles at a resort if something breaks

I usually ski with them off if I'm in the resort, but if I'm BC, I usually keep them on my wrists… I don't mind if I drop them/lose them inbounds because it's usually pretty easy to find… When I'm away from the lifts though, it's a little harder to get them if you take a tumble.

I once sat down on Glacier Chair, I was on the in side and my basket got caught in between the bolts that held the lift to the ground and bent the bottom 6 inches when I went foward on the lift, it was just dangling there…..

I once sat down on Glacier Chair, I was on the in side and my basket got caught in between the bolts that held the lift to the ground and bent the bottom 6 inches when I went foward on the lift, it was just dangling there…..

6 inches is average

don't know about you guys, but i've always kept straps off in the BC, up or down. I want to be able to ditch my poles asap if i get caught in a slide.

don't know why you want longer poles, i find it less tiring to not even use my poles except for balance on the way up, but it's nice to have a short one on sidehills

I used to use adjustable poles, but I got sick of adjusting them or changing hands every time I turned back across the hill. The adjustable poles were good for long traverses, but that's about it. Now I just use regular pole with some duct tape on them.

It all comes down to what you're willing to put up with.

don't know why you want longer poles, i find it less tiring to not even use my poles except for balance on the way up, but it's nice to have a short one on sidehills

I think Lee geeked out on this and actually did a semi controlled test with his heart rate monitor and found that indeed less energy is burned and you can skin faster by not using your arms/poles.

I think Lee geeked out on this and actually did a semi controlled test with his heart rate monitor and found that indeed less energy is burned and you can skin faster by not using your arms/poles.

Actually? I would have thought it would be the other way…

I have a set of black diamond expedition poles(3 section) and I would not recommend them for skiing down. I only use them on the way up and I've still bent them. The locking mechanism on the black diamonds is really nice though. I think one of their carbon 2 piece poles would be the way to go.

I think Lee geeked out on this and actually did a semi controlled test with his heart rate monitor and found that indeed less energy is burned and you can skin faster by not using your arms/poles.

you don't go faster. you just use about 5% less energy but that only applies to shallow tracks. Same principle as long distance speed skaters not using their arms when skating on the straightways

always practical for back country

i know its not the most practical thing but seriously go watch idea, pep fujas skis no poles backcountry and it works fine for him

I have this theory that if you don't use straps, your hands are working harder to hang on to the poles, which keeps your hands warmer

i know its not the most practical thing but seriously go watch idea, pep fujas skis no poles backcountry and it works fine for him

Yeah, maybe if I had a helicopter flying my around everywhere…

Ever try bootpacking/skinning with no poles?

No dice.

I have this theory that if you don't use straps, your hands are working harder to hang on to the poles, which keeps your hands warmer

:lol: maybe

Dunno what you guys are doing with poles apart from crashing on them a lot. I have a pair of old Komperdells that must have a good 15 seasons on them. I only do 25-30 days a year now, but those poles must have over 1000 days of skiing. Very slight bend in one and tons of scratches and nicks, but never broken. Always wear the straps, in the trees or not.