A ski pole's usefulness is proportional to the skier's skill. Correct poling technique enriches the skiing experience, but On the Snow equipment editor Allen Smith warns that improper ski pole use may hinder technique. Novice skiers, who have not yet learned skate ski maneuvers, find them useful for propulsion in flat terrain. Intermediate and advanced skiers use their ski poles to enhance timing, rhythm, aerodynamics, mogul skiing, balance and postural alignment. Ski instructor Leonid Feldman of the Bradywine Ski Resort advises that ski pole efficiency depends on how you hold your ski poles and your pole touch timing.
Alignment
Step 1
Hold your arms in front of your body and place your polls in a horizontal position across your hands, as if you were holding a tea tray. Keep your arms at chest height and keep your elbows flexed.
Step 2
Tip your skis so that they are on their edges. Link a few turns, keeping your arms and upper body completely stable. When you master this skill, keep your arms in the same position and place your hands in the pole straps.
Step 3
Place your skis on edge and make a few turns, maintaining the arm and pole position. If you have placed your arms in the correct position, you will see your poles in your peripheral vision.
Moguls
Step 1
Stand at the top of a mogul field and pick a line down the slope.
Step 2
Glide toward the first mogul. Flick your wrist and tap your pole on top of the bump.
Step 3
Pivot your feet and slide down the bump. Be ready to pick your next bump and repeat the process.
The Tuck
Step 1
Bend your knees and lower your hips into the racer's tuck position. Racing coach Gary Dranow suggests keeping your buttocks slightly higher than your head.
Step 2
Bring your hands forward, placing them in front of your chin.
Step 3
Tuck the poles under your armpits, bringing the tips behind your body. Coach Dranow explains that this is an aerodynamic position, which minimizes wind drag and lets you ski faster. Maintain this position as you take a straight line down the slopes.
Tips and Warnings
- The pole touch is a subtle movement that initiates in the wrist. Avoid using your upper arms.
- Dr. Carl Ettlinger, who developed the Vermont Ski Safety Study, warns that keeping your poles behind your body can cause backward falls, which can in turn lead to serious injuries.
Things You'll Need
- Ski poles
- Skis
- Ski boots
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