One could make the argument that skiing without poles is MORE difficult than skiing with poles. Take for example tightrope walking. In order to stay balanced on the rope, the walker uses a large pole to keep balanced.
If the same person were to walk the same rope without that giant pole every one of us would acknowledge that walking without the pole would be far more difficult. The pole is used for balance, much the same as ski poles are used for balance. When skiing we often need to make micro adjustments in order to correct our balance, this is where poles are used. Weather it be a drag on the ground during a carve or a slight wobble in the air or on a rail, poles make balance adjustments easier. By this logic, skiing without poles forces the body to counter balance on its own. Poles are simply a tool used to make skiing EASIER. Tradition allows skiing with poles to be the norm although skiing without poles is, technically, more difficult than skiing with poles.
This is not a well written argument. I do not have the motivation to make it clearer. I think you understand what I am saying here. I think skiing with or without poles is up to the skier but inherently skiing without poles is more difficult. Note that there are some aspects of skiing that become easier when skiing without poles but that is a different argument in itself.
Discuss...
