Not hip enough for no polls! But short polls...

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Insane

So, because I feel Im to old and uncool to follow what is trendy (28), but still like progressing my skills in the park as well, I went to a shorter poll. It still gives me the stability in the steeps and deeps, but doesn't get in the way as much during spins, rails and such. Also I tighten the straps to my palms infront of my thumbs so I have 4 free fingers for grabs. Works pretty well. But I did notice people hating like I made a mistake.

Just wondering if others are going to shorter polls as well. Works for me...Your thoughts.

Dec 25 2007 11:00PM

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LivinOuttaBounZ

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Insane

Mine really aren't tiny, they're just smaller then traditional poles.

Dec 25 2007 11:03PM

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Thomson.

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No Life

I had REALLY short poles last year, I loved them. Never got in the way and I could still push if I bent over very far. This year I have bigger poles, if I put my hand on the very top of the grip, like over top the grip they're like the size of normal poles or w/e.

Dec 25 2007 11:03PM

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seider

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Insane

if you arnt gonna be riding any powder, you may as well not be using them. because from what i read, you just use them to stabelize you in powder and nothing else, but for powder arnt you ment to be using very long polls.

Dec 25 2007 11:05PM

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shrEddie

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i rock really short poles as well. if i put my arm straight down the tips of my finders touch the top of my pole. it sick because i can still push pretty easily and they are so cool. but im becoming a fan of no poles in the park.

Dec 25 2007 11:06PM

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MiniMeDanny

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Insane

ya this sounds fine but if your rocking poles so small that you have to bend all the way down just so they can touch the ground, mite as well go no poles.. ever since ive been rockiing small poles ive noticed how little i actually use them, mostly they help for pushing in the lift line

Dec 25 2007 11:07PM

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LivinOuttaBounZ

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Insane

I skied in the park only on Sunday because the snow was heavy and it was dumping rain, so I left my poles in the car. I liked it, it really didn't feel that weird. Well, maybe like forgetting to put your pants back on after changing in the locker room, but it didn't make skiing feel weird. But I find use for my pole in the BC. It adds to the whole finness and fluidity if back country skiing. We aren't all Eric and Andy, and even they use poles sometimes. For me, poles just feel right, it is a part of skiing for me, but the super long ones that are that way only so you have a huge reach to plant on the next mogul (bumps are gay) is way to old school for me.

My vote, Shorter polls...For now.

Dec 25 2007 11:10PM

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MiniMeDanny

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Insane

exactly i wouldnt wanna go no poles all the time, but its nice to ditch them in the trees every couple park runs

Dec 25 2007 11:14PM

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LivinOuttaBounZ

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Insane

True, lift lines can be funny sometimes. There was a group of real young kids in front of me (not hating) with no poles who kept sliding backwards and sliding over peoples tips and knocking each other down. It was the day I left mine in the car so I was poll-less too. Kept thinking, "My God, do I look like that?" :( Usually I don't care what people think but I never felt more 'mid-life-crisis'/ trying to relive my youth, before in my life.

Dec 25 2007 11:15PM

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MiniMeDanny

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Insane

ya that would be pretty embarrassing, those kids prolly shouldnt rock no poles again

Dec 25 2007 11:27PM

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skithesprings

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Crazy Fool

i think i might just start to stash my poles when im lapping the park then pick em back up when i leave to ski elsewhere. i really cant see any use for them in the park but i do appreciate them greatly outside of it.

Dec 26 2007 12:02AM

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Pugalope

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Loner

im voting for Obama...

Dec 26 2007 12:09AM

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bigwhite.steeze

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Crazy Fool

i have some tiny ones about 1.5 ft long that i rock sometimes...kinda useless

Dec 26 2007 12:11AM

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estaked

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Crazy Fool

POLLS, you say?

Dec 26 2007 12:13AM

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Canuker

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No Life

i thought my poles were short but you guys are talking about poles that you hav to bend over like mad to push. when im holding them and they touch the ground my arms are at (estimation) 100* angle.

Dec 26 2007 12:32AM

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Canuker

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No Life

oops my bad

Dec 26 2007 12:33AM

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bigwhite.steeze

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Crazy Fool

poles are really only meant for keeping your arms forward when turning and riding, so basically if your a good skier and can keep there arms forward, poles or short poles arent necessary.

if your a good skier which i assume you are, it doesnt really matter if your poles fit properly.

Dec 26 2007 12:35AM

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dowalibeast

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short POLES are going to hurt your technique. make you look like a gorilla rather than a good skier.

Dec 26 2007 12:57AM

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KRAMPUSNTROLLZ

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no i am no polling now my poles used to be really short but no polling is freedom except in the lift line

Dec 26 2007 1:02AM

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bigwhite.steeze

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Crazy Fool

yes proper ski technique designates that a pole plant is required, because as you stated, it keeps you in time. What i was saying, is that the whole pole concept is to keep your weight and your arms forward. If you try a turn in powder, and one of your arms is behind you, good luck, it will be a tricky situation to get out of. Without poles and pole planting, this can happen pretty easily.

With poles though, when turning you put your arm forwards to plant, thus making it harder for your arms to get behind you, put you off balance, and prevent you from taking a tumble.

Yes, if you dont pole plant, you might as well just chuck your poles away because they are sufficiently useless unless your pushing yourself.

So, if you are a very good skier, and the concept of pole planting is embedded in your skull enough to have the muscle memory of your arms always being in front of you while you turn, poles, are just useless metal.

This, for me, was one of the things that intrigued me about no poles in powder. It made me realize how damn good these skiers were, when they rode with no poles, cause its really hard.

Dec 26 2007 1:20AM

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