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December, 2024

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Poles

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alynch506
Posts: 23 - Karma: 48
Is it better to have poles that are too big or too small for you? I am 5' 7" and right on the edge between 46" and 48". I ski downhill and park. Which should I get?
Dec 5 2009 7:10PM
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Relish_man
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 551
i always go with smaller poles even for all mountain; bigger poles are just a bigger risk of getting hurt and their even more painful to use than poles that are too short.
Dec 5 2009 7:12PM
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TheDude
Posts: 2058 - Karma: 117
always go smaller. always
Dec 5 2009 7:14PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
I'm 6'3 and I was using 48", just broke them and got some 44" because I felt like they were a tiny bit too long but I think using toothpicks is ridiculous. So those poles are going to be really big on you. The recommended heights are ridiculous, they think you are using that weird technique where you stick your arms out to your sides or something.
Dec 5 2009 7:15PM
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Msully
Posts: 575 - Karma: 21
or go big and just cut them down as needed, can always go smaller just not bigger etc
Dec 5 2009 7:16PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,790
People your height who ski all park will probably say you should be skiing with 36" poles, and racers will say to go bigger probably. If you do both you might want two sets really...

I'm 6' and I ride with 50" poles at the moment, which I personally find too big for anything but steeps and trees. I'm looking into some 42" ones for park/jibbing days.
Dec 5 2009 7:18PM
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Kotke
Posts: 696 - Karma: 15
Yeah im 6'2 and i have 47" poles right now and im thinkin about cuttin them down. So in my opinion your gunna wanna go shorter.
Dec 5 2009 7:18PM
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peyton
Posts: 1475 - Karma: 1,062
short
Dec 5 2009 7:19PM
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summersover
Posts: 5777 - Karma: 233
haha im 5'10 and my poles are 36"
perfectly measured so my arms rest on the tops when theyre straight
Dec 5 2009 7:21PM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216

If you get poles that are too short to pole plant, just drop them. Don't even bother lol.

I usually try to do the hand-under basket thing, but I try to get my elbow between 35 and 40 degrees, not 90 because that's way too long. This way my poles are an appropriate length for park but still have a purpose aside from cosmetics.

Dec 5 2009 7:33PM
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rach
Posts: 917 - Karma: 507
short, just cut the ones you have,..they'll probably get broken or stolen anywayss
Dec 5 2009 9:50PM
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ReetsAdeets
Posts: 1531 - Karma: 611
Just get telescoping poles.
Dec 5 2009 10:13PM
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jamodeo
Posts: 3040 - Karma: 663
id go short i am 5'8 5'9 is and ski with 39 inch poles i think i had 44s and cut them but didnt measure them after cutting
Dec 5 2009 11:32PM
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Number_9
Posts: 429 - Karma: 8
Not sure if anyone else does this, but when choosing poles, I always flipped them around, and gripped the point. If my elbow was at a 90 degree angle, I would get that size.

I'm not sure if that even does anything different from just holding it, honestly. But I'd say go for the smaller one. It can get uncomfortable with bigger poles.
Dec 6 2009 12:45AM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,790
That method is usually that you grab under the basket to compensate for how much tip goes into the snow. But the 90 rule makes for poles that almost everyone finds too long for park skiing. So, like someone above mentioned, pick a new more preferable angle and go off that instead.
Dec 6 2009 3:28AM
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3R1C
Posts: 367 - Karma: 14
if they're too big you can cut them down
Dec 6 2009 9:17PM
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AmplidSteez
Posts: 21 - Karma: 10
im 5'10 and i rock 36's ..... just perfect. ballin
Dec 6 2009 10:18PM
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GreenHorn
Posts: 4896 - Karma: 1,209

Dec 6 2009 10:19PM
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sip166
Posts: 275 - Karma: 16
just cut my poles today...they were too long. if they are too long they can get in the way when ur at the park so i'd go shorter
Dec 6 2009 10:36PM
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gnarmada
Posts: 235 - Karma: 17
i ride mine to the point were my arms are almost sraight
Dec 7 2009 7:38PM
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flexpattern
Posts: 1090 - Karma: 45
i was skiing on friday and came off a picnic table jib switch, pole planted in the snow, and then jabbed me in the side of the head... i was lucky it didn't take my i out - turns out that the poles were probably too long for me, so i cut em down! also shorter poles look a little more controlled when spinning etc. but don't get em too short cos when you are blasting pow and trees you want em loooooooong (ish)
Dec 7 2009 8:15PM
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tbayjibber
Posts: 326 - Karma: 62
I got asked soo many time why my poles are short but its easier to ride switch and they break less easily, i use bigger ones for pow
Dec 7 2009 8:35PM
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C_Perin
Posts: 944 - Karma: 156
IM 5'11" AND HAVE 33" POLES AND LOVE THEM!
Dec 7 2009 8:38PM
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.brian
Posts: 1710 - Karma: 233
im 5'8" and use 42" pole
Dec 7 2009 8:39PM
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SickStickz
Posts: 396 - Karma: 137
always go smaller, puts you in a more aggressive, and lower stance.
Dec 7 2009 9:11PM
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Jimmy.
Posts: 2888 - Karma: 27
i rock much larger than average poles and love them. its all preference.
Dec 7 2009 9:15PM
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LukeB.
Posts: 268 - Karma: 22
who pole plants anymore?
Dec 7 2009 9:20PM
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