Ski pole Survey

Please take this survey on ski poles

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=944161870133

if the link does not work copy and paste will work.

thank you

More to the point - who needs them ?

Trencher

example : http://www.j2ski.com/ski_technique/Carving/index.html

What purpose does waving poles around like that serve ?

Trencher

Are you one of these Radical Carvers - who don't need poles cos they're cranked over so far their hands are on the floor on every turn?

But seriously, you have a point - poles are maybe less relevant to fast and wide, on-piste carving but for short radius turns and off-piste skiing (particularly steeps and powder) they're as vital as ever aren't they?

And anyway, what else do you put your glove on when you stop to take a photograph?

Dave

Just like to get people thinking outside the box. I understand that poles stil have a purpose, esp. in the lift line, getting up after a fall in deep powder and maybe in bumps. I notice though that the people who have the hardest time carving are the ones who use thier poles most. That is, thier old school pole swings reinforce forced direction changes instead of edge transitions.
What about snowboarders, who ride all terain w/o poles. I'm sure they develope thier technique faster, with better co-ordination with what matters, what's under thier feet.
It seems to me that as skiers have the poles anyway, over the years people have come up with all these different ways to incorperate use of poles into skiing, rather than asking the question, " do I need poles do do this". This has led to poles becoming technique crutches, that hinder the skis becoming one with the body.

Now I do have to say, I am not an off piste skier and spend most of my time carving (boards and skis), so these are really just my observations and boring lift ride ponderings.


Trencher

I agree with you Trencher on poles being a hindrance and not a help when learning. We teach the little ones to ski without poles so why do we insist on giving them to the older people. They should be working on their edging technique first. Then learn pole techniques when they are ready to progress to the bumps and power.

Trencher, what you must realise is that ski poles come in very handy, particularly for keeping those little kids from queu jumping in France and they can come in very handy for waving furiously at a snow boarder who has just ran over the back of your skis!!!!!!

I've been having ldry slope lessons (after a 10 year gap) and on the first week the instructor made me chich my poles away.

I have to say that my skiing has improved dramatically and I'm now wondering what on earth I'm going to do with poles when I get to Austria in a fortnight - that of course assumes there's some snow left!