the hundred or so uses of ski poles

There is a debate in the skiing world about the uses of ski poles.

Some feel "free without poles" others can not ski without them!

Before I list my many uses of my ski pokes , here is a ski pole story!

15 years ago I was visiting a golf store in the summer and the owner was telling me how he manufactures carbon-fiber golf shafts specially for clients.

Another Eureka moment occurred !

"Could he make me some with my specifications and at what cost" I asked!

"No problem" was the reply but the owner was curious for what purpose!

After explaining that the skiing industry was just beginning to introduce carbon fiber ski poles, the owner promised 30 stock poles with my color choice!

I two weeks I got 30 shafts. Of course all wild colors! I then took old broken poles took out pole handles and bought steel tungsten tips and baskets. Cost $6!

I still have all the poles. Not one has broken!

And people say skiing is expensive!! Think outside the box!!!!

Strange uses to ski poles

1. Lowering ski chair lift bar.

2. Tapping that girl 5 skiers ahead in lift line , in order to see if she is "single"

3. Picking up papers in ski base area.

4, Sitting platform in spring

5. Defending against wild skiers

6. Touching a porcupine climbing a tree

7. As a splint when skier breaks leg.

8. To hold up Porsche 911 hood or boot

9. To "cap" a water pipe

10 To direct my Koy fish into a feeder area

11. To make holes for my seeds

12. To make supports for my skis

14. The rub my back in spring skiing



OK have fun more more uses

15 - Glove Holder (while taking photos)

16 - Glove Waver (using poles for semaphore - to tell your wife that your cell-phone battery just died due to the cold)

17 - Sock Airer - to hold ripe ski socks a safe distance from your apartments balcony).

18 - Self Defence against beasts when skiing the backcountry.

19. Leaning against when resting for a bit

20. Using them as a barrier to people who are blatently trying to push in front of everyone in a lift queue.

21. Seeing how much fresh snow has fallen during the night!

22. To check depth of snow

23. To check for "tree caves" in hors piste skiing

24. To tap ski boots in order to get snow off

25. To open "stubborn" boot clips

26. To hold child while skiing

27. To lean on when hiking for two hors for hors piste skiing.

28. To hold hot tea pot over fire

29. To draw ski curve on snow while teaching skiing

30. To hold back child while skiing

31. Tap off ice on lodge roof

32. Us as racing poles for children

33. As flag staff

34. To pry off snow in car wheels

35. To take off snow in car exhaust tail pipe

36. As "finder" prob for lost skis in serious powder

37. To knock off snow from tree branches

38. To hold up broken hotel bed ( after serious party)

39. To stir a very tall " martini" drink at end of ski day

40. To dry ski shirt after serious spring day


Please continue my fellow skiers...

41. Release bindings...or is that too obvious!

Does anyone use poles for skiing ?

Ok, ok, so they are useful

Actually I'm not as anti pole as I make out. It just disturbs me when someone believes they are prerequisite for skiing.

The problem with not using poles everyday, is that when you would like to use them (powder, racing), they feel so awkward and cumbersome.


42/ scraping the snow off a snowboarders boot so they can get in in thier binding.

43/ throwing a pole to a snowboarder who is struggling to get up in deep powder

Trencher

44.) To draw a map in the snow of the way to the nearest bar

45.) Dragging snowboarders up a hill?!

We need at least 100 uses of ski poles by Friday!

Help us!

44. Used as "safety" bar for children on chairlift

45. To make Teepee ( with two poles) so children can ski under.

46. To carry injured child

47. To keep ski lounge door open ( while you bring in 200 ski bags in)

48. To make X just above injured skier in order to "protect" injured skier.

49. To hang wet shirts on open window

50. To wave to skier you are videotaping


I hand challenge to others. British people are supposed to be "imaginative and unique! Show us some unique uses of ski poles.

50 more to go!!!!!

51/ Used them before as goal markers in a game of snow football! Beats getting your jumpers wet!!

52. Using them as a golf club in snow golf

53. Marking where the hole is

Saw that on Ski Sunday about a month ago

53. Knocking huge icicles off a balcony or roof.

54. Juggling ? lol

55. chasing some rodent out of an apartment i stayed in when i went to france as a student (yes it was cheap)

Great ideas.

Come on all of you more unique uses of poles.....