Pole Planting

For me personally, a more important question is what is hip counter?

I'm self taught...

Some posts just list uses for poles, but the question is, what is the pole PLANt for?

One possible response is that it can help "force" you to use the correct motion and balance better. But in that case the plant itself has no value.

I think I can see a value in the pole plant when it is steep, because when initiating your turn, you can be more aggressive in leaning into it, because you have a way to "push back" against your lean if you need to. By leaning more into it you can make a quicker turn, avoid facing straight downhill longer than you need to, thereby keeping a manageable speed.

so there is an argument for a value to the pole plant that you can't have without poles

and... one other thing, the pole plant gives your hand something to "push off" against, which helps rotate your torso, since you have your arm as a lever