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The proper use of poles?

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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,372
Hey there NS, hopefully I can get some help. Google and the search bar didn't go too into depth.

I've been skiing in total for about 3 months. I never used poles because my buddy Jeff didn't and he's the reason I started skiing. Since my back surgery I've realized I need to get better at skiing first and I would like to learn how to use poles correctly. Any good advice? I don't exactly know when to plant in a turn and I haven't figured out what to to be a really good skiier. Just a rail rat. Especially confused on what to do with powder because I've never used them in that snow condition either.

Thanks homies. +K to real help.


(Not sorry if you think this thread sucks)
Sep 8 2014 8:03PM
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,133
They're basically just for rhythm and balance. Plant your left pole slightly ahead of you as you're initiating a left turn, and vice versa.
You don't really need them, but they do help, especially in powder.

But you definitely should learn how to actually ski before you hit the park, so that's a respectable decision. It'll help you get better so much faster.
Sep 8 2014 8:12PM
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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,372
MiomoThey're basically just for rhythm and balance. Plant your left pole slightly ahead of you as you're initiating a left turn, and vice versa.
You don't really need them, but they do help, especially in powder.

But you definitely should learn how to actually ski before you hit the park, so that's a respectable decision. It'll help you get better so much faster.


Should I be trying to plant them or just use them as a little bit of a guide?
Sep 8 2014 8:17PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
they're for putting a little camera on so you can film yourself at 2x arm's length

no but for real learning to pole plant as you enter turns will help your technique 100%. just watch some technically sound "real" skiers in videos and tutorials and you'll pick it up. i'm sick but i can't teach for shit
Sep 8 2014 8:19PM
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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,372
Awesome! Thanks for the help guys. I feel like my biggest problem is planting my poles pretty much at my feet in a turn. +K to both of ya!
Sep 8 2014 8:21PM
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C0ster
Posts: 101 - Karma: 190
Just get used to planting them on either side and always work on your weaker side more.
Sep 8 2014 8:26PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
Take a ski lesson. Private lessons if you can afford it. You won't regret it
Sep 8 2014 8:46PM
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
I use them to beat kids who run into me in the lift line.
Sep 8 2014 8:49PM
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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,372
DrailTake a ski lesson. Private lessons if you can afford it. You won't regret it


DBH5601I use them to beat kids who run into me in the lift line.

+K
Sep 8 2014 9:07PM
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Hamlet
Posts: 205 - Karma: 1,312
The poles are for aerodynamics. You will notice a significant increase in speed if you hold your poles as shown below.

Sep 8 2014 9:14PM
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Hamlet
Posts: 205 - Karma: 1,312
The poles are for aerodynamics. You will notice a significant increase in speed if you hold your poles as shown below.

Sep 8 2014 9:14PM
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Evan.A
Posts: 89 - Karma: 349
HamletThe poles are for aerodynamics. You will notice a significant increase in speed if you hold your poles as shown below.



The higher up you put them the more respect you get to. All the people on my mountain are far better then me at it.
Sep 8 2014 9:15PM
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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,372
HamletThe poles are for aerodynamics. You will notice a significant increase in speed if you hold your poles as shown below.



Evan.AThe higher up you put them the more respect you get to. All the people on my mountain are far better then me at it.


-K

Head back over to nsg.
Sep 8 2014 9:20PM
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Hamlet
Posts: 205 - Karma: 1,312
wolfbackpack-K

Head back over to nsg.


Chill out dude, I wasn't trying to be mean.

I would have given some serious advice, but I pretty much everything I would have said was posted above.
Sep 8 2014 9:24PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
gaper tuck was funny and post worthy
Sep 8 2014 10:55PM
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wasatch_rat
Posts: 1772 - Karma: 2,951
hands up and forward as much as possible. reach for a pole plant to initiate the turn. so if you have finished a turn to the right and want to start a turn to the left, swing the left pole down the hill just before turn initiation to begin the weight transfer into the next turn. if you do it right it will feel very natural and you will feel how it helps start the turn, especially in pow and moguls
Sep 8 2014 11:03PM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,185
Don't actually plant the pole in the snow, it's more of a flick of the wrist to snap from one edge to another. However you've been skiing for 3 months, so when snow plowing turn, lift your inside leg half way through the turn and place it paralel to your ski, this will help you to get the rhythm of parelel turning. Once you've leearnt to paralel turn, it's all about keep your upper body stiff and bending at the knees with rolling your ankle in your boot as you plant.

Offcourse this is all very hard to convey over NS so I suggest getting lessons.
Sep 8 2014 11:43PM
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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,372
karlmarxhands up and forward as much as possible. reach for a pole plant to initiate the turn. so if you have finished a turn to the right and want to start a turn to the left, swing the left pole down the hill just before turn initiation to begin the weight transfer into the next turn. if you do it right it will feel very natural and you will feel how it helps start the turn, especially in pow and moguls


ChubbyBoyDon't actually plant the pole in the snow, it's more of a flick of the wrist to snap from one edge to another. However you've been skiing for 3 months, so when snow plowing turn, lift your inside leg half way through the turn and place it paralel to your ski, this will help you to get the rhythm of parelel turning. Once you've leearnt to paralel turn, it's all about keep your upper body stiff and bending at the knees with rolling your ankle in your boot as you plant.

Offcourse this is all very hard to convey over NS so I suggest getting lessons.


+K! Thanks a ton!
Sep 8 2014 11:51PM
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
if you want, you can get your poles and put your skis on and just practice the rythm. i like to do that in the summer

it might not help but I haven't been in your situation
Sep 9 2014 1:01AM
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matthewisme
Posts: 21 - Karma: 20
I use mine usually when choosing my line, and in bumps, it helps me initiate my turns in steeps, a good pole plant is really necessary to take skiing to the next level... Unless you're just a park rat. But it's good to learn them, then use them
Sep 9 2014 1:06AM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Sep 9 2014 1:18AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
One thing to mention that I have not seen so far is that when you pole plant, all you should need is to flick your wrist. It should not be a whole arm, or forearm motion.

Here's a helpful video that took a 2 second youtube search. This guy may not be a park skier but he definitely knows how to pole plant properly. I'd say his poles are too long but that may be intentional in order to exaggerate his movements for demonstration purposes. He may also be a goober. Either way you should watch the video and let him teach you how to do it properly.
Sep 9 2014 2:08AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Aparently I don't know how to embed with the new NS system:

Someone please embed this for me: http://youtu.be/MC5-gg6FQXU
Sep 9 2014 2:10AM
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powerbong2000
Posts: 737 - Karma: 1,802
be sure to know when to how to do a thing that makes your pole go in maybe the right spot if you think that is a spot that maybe would then be a spot where you would like a pole to go and make a spot if then that was what you intended to to.
Sep 9 2014 2:59AM
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perryhunter
Posts: 721 - Karma: -185
MiomoThey're basically just for rhythm and balance. Plant your left pole slightly ahead of you as you're initiating a left turn, and vice versa.
You don't really need them, but they do help, especially in powder.

But you definitely should learn how to actually ski before you hit the park, so that's a respectable decision. It'll help you get better so much faster.


Yeah right! It's basically made for balance.
Sep 9 2014 5:08AM
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CT_CREW
Posts: 668 - Karma: 3,481
like others have already stated, the "pole plant" is meant to help initiate a new turn.

It should make you project your weight down the hill as you transition between turns.

ex. You are making a right hand turn. To start the left hand turn reach down the hill in the general left hand direction you want to go. lightly and briefly touch the snow with your pole and think about turning around your pole. this will get you upper body moving down the hill into your new turn.

main point: it is very important to project you weight down the hill in the transition between turns
Sep 9 2014 8:54AM
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kevin_k
Posts: 111 - Karma: 144
Use them to initiate spins a la Candide. http://youtu.be/aadgi1nqwSI?t=23s
Sep 9 2014 12:34PM
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johnblaze
Posts: 1477 - Karma: 2,600
take a couple lessons..it will do you more good than you could imagine.. no one on this site will be able to explain it better than an instructor on hill.
Sep 9 2014 1:21PM
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mr-mcsteeze
Posts: 487 - Karma: 1,103
They are really just meant for balance and they help on really steep slopes but for park stuff you dont even need them. I dont ski with poles in the park anymore and i feel that it gives me more freedom and it makes grabs so much easier
Sep 9 2014 2:28PM
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Mrworm10
Posts: 2707 - Karma: 4,229
powerbong2000be sure to know when to how to do a thing that makes your pole go in maybe the right spot if you think that is a spot that maybe would then be a spot where you would like a pole to go and make a spot if then that was what you intended to to.


The nation's top translators are trying to figure out what you just tried to say.
Sep 9 2014 5:11PM
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Crazyman800
Posts: 55 - Karma: 85
ThaLoraxHe may also be a goober.


Goober confirmed.
Sep 9 2014 5:27PM
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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
RubberSoulthey're for putting a little camera on so you can film yourself at 2x arm's length




I agree -- there was a time when skis were much more simple and I think the pole plant was needed to help do a type of jump turn. People still use them today obviously.. even half-pipe riders and racers who never do plants. Personally I stopped using them many years ago. It was a great liberation.



I think you need them for balance if you're upper body ends up at a significantly different angle to your lower body and generally rotates a lot over the lower body (eg half pipe skiing.) This makes up for skiers who subscribe to the rule "upper body facing downhill" - which seems to be most people. I remember when I used poles, I used to fall a lot and permanently bend those poles during the stack as they hit against me.

Have you tried rollerblading as a form of balance training?

Sep 9 2014 5:53PM
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JakeDicks
Posts: 69 - Karma: 394
I found that my long poles were in the way and I didn't pole plant much so I cut them down pretty short and just use them for balance.. and shotgunning beer.
Sep 9 2014 8:33PM
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ilikefood
Posts: 391 - Karma: 769
Besides balance and pushing etc etc, poles are essential to initiating your turn. They also keep your upper body driving down the hill
Sep 9 2014 8:49PM
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agbandar
Posts: 83 - Karma: 287
the 70s called they want their pole plants back
Sep 9 2014 9:06PM
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Andrew_M
Posts: 410 - Karma: 4,047
What everyone has said so far is on point...if you plan on skiing steeps, moguls or deep pow...or want to be that guy ripping groomers with perfect technique then take a lesson and get poles that fit you, use them properly, etc., etc. That being said, poles are not necessary to ride with good technique, I ski with poles and hardly ever pole plant or even make that motion. Poles are used to help you keep balance and they are awesome, I would recommend you ski with them every day until you are very comfortable skiing the majority of terrain, always take them when you're skiing steeps and deep, but mostly remember that skiing is fun and you should ski exactly how you want to...I know more skiers without that "perfect form" that rip harder than those who have it. You don't have to be a robot to be good at skiing.
Sep 9 2014 9:08PM
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ilikefood
Posts: 391 - Karma: 769
Crystal.CarvI agree -- there was a time when skis were much more simple and I think the pole plant was needed to help do a type of jump turn. People still use them today obviously.. even half-pipe riders and racers who never do plants. Personally I stopped using them many years ago. It was a great liberation.



Double post but this comment sparked my interest.

Even with today's ski technology people still do jump turns. You usually end up doing jump turns when you're trying to shred something quite steep (40 degrees +) and something that is most likely narrow as well.

Also it's worth noting that you don't need poles to do jump turns. Try it, I promise they will still be just as easy to do as they were with poles.

So it's not really the jump turn its self that induces the use of poles, it's the terrain that induces it. When you're trying to shred something steep and gnarly, the last thing you want to do is fall. What is the best way to ensure you don't fall? Having the best technique possible. This is where the poles come into play. The use of poles really highlights certain movements that are associated with good technical skiing, those being things such as standing all the way up in between turns and having your upper body (and hands!!) driving down the hill. The best way to ensure your upper body is driving down the hill is to pole plant, and the best way to make sure you are fully standing up between turns is to try and pole plant. Poles also assist you in making it easier to find some rhythm in tough places (weird moguls, crud, chop) and when you're in a tough spot, your pole plant will actually show you where your next turning 'axis' will be.

Pole plants are good kids. Do them.
Sep 9 2014 9:09PM
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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,372
ilikefoodPole plants are good kids. Do them.


Possibly the beat quote I've ever read on this website.
Sep 10 2014 4:40PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
wolfbackpackPossibly the beat quote I've ever read on this website.


You must've seen a lot of quotes in your 1 year on the site.
Sep 10 2014 4:57PM
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IKEA
Posts: 622 - Karma: 3,111
Crystal.Carv


Seems legit
Sep 10 2014 5:09PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10817 - Karma: 57,204
Make sure you build a platform with the pole straps that you thumb and finger are almost sits on, don't just loop your hand thru and call it good.
Sep 10 2014 5:10PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
immasMake sure you build a platform with the pole straps that you thumb and finger are almost sits on, don't just loop your hand thru and call it good.


I think you are referring to this (it's difficult to describe via text):
Sep 10 2014 5:19PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
^FYI for OP, not doing that is a great way to break your wrist.
Sep 10 2014 5:20PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10817 - Karma: 57,204
ThaLoraxI think you are referring to this (it's difficult to describe via text):


THANK YOU!! I couldn't find a picture!
Sep 10 2014 5:23PM
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kylemclean
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,311
immasMake sure you build a platform with the pole straps that you thumb and finger are almost sits on, don't just loop your hand thru and call it good.


This is so important if you do this it is do much less of a chance of breaking your fingers especially your thumbs.
Sep 10 2014 5:25PM
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methscratchface
Posts: 1204 - Karma: 4,445
Sep 10 2014 6:43PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
methscratchface


it's amazing that we've actually managed to convince the world that these things have a use beyond drinking!
Sep 10 2014 7:51PM
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,365
Given that you have only been skiing 3 months I would recommend not using poles yet. If you start using them too soon they will just be a crutch that you will rely on. Get good at skiing without poles, learn to rely on your own skill for balance, then start using poles. They don't have a lot of use if you don't ski off-piste.
Sep 10 2014 8:45PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Sh4dowGiven that you have only been skiing 3 months I would recommend not using poles yet. If you start using them too soon they will just be a crutch that you will rely on. Get good at skiing without poles, learn to rely on your own skill for balance, then start using poles. They don't have a lot of use if you don't ski off-piste.


As someone who taught skiing for years, I disagree with this. Learning without piles IS good. But once you get off the green runs, its really helpful to use poles as a way to help people learn to both initiate turns and to keep their weight forward and not sit in the back seat.

Learning for first timers=I totally agree with you
After 3 months of skiing=me disagreeing with you
Sep 10 2014 8:59PM
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