Contents [Hide] 1 Size Matters Most 2 Basket Type 3 Construction 4 Grips 5 Popular Brands 6 Popular Poles 7 Related Guides 8 International Resources

Ski Poles

After all the fuss you've gone through choosing just the right pair of skis  and boots  and bindings, you'd think you'd be ready to hit the powder. Wrong! You still need to look at ski poles ; despite their simplicity, ski poles are an important piece of equipment. They need to be strong and durable enough to help the skier balance through turns and climb up inclines. On the other hand, they need to be flexible  enough to both ease through hard turns without bending and to not break when saving yourself from a fall.

Size Matters Most

Sure brand loyalty, budget, and style will play a part in how you choose your poles. However, the most important aspect of getting the right pair is to make sure that they are the right size.The best way to measure for the correct pole size is to hold your elbow at a 90º angle as if you were gripping a pole, then measure the distance from your thumb to the floor. This measurement is the minimum you will need for piste skiing  if you are a beginner. Other aspects can affect pole size as well:

• If you plan to venture off the groomed trails and into some powder, then add an inch or two.
• If the poles are for a young skier  who is still growing, give some extra room for them to grow into the poles. Otherwise, you will be buying twice.
• Advanced skiers need longer poles, preferably ones that hit at about armpit height.
• For skiing on and off the piste, maybe look into telescoping poles . They lengthen for skiing powder off-piste, climbing hills, and touring. They can be shortened for downhill skiing and trekking. Typically, these are best suited for advanced skiers who enjoy the slopes and the back country.

Basket Type

The basket is the plastic disk  at the bottom of a ski pole that keeps your pole from sinking down into the snow. If you plan on skiing on groomed slopes, or packed snow, a smaller basket will give better performance. For skiers that will be in more powder, a pole with a bigger basket will give more grip in the soft snow. When in doubt, buy poles that have interchangeable  baskets. This is also a good idea if you plan to do both on and off-piste skiing.

Construction

Ski poles can range from $30 to well more than $100. The biggest factor determining the price tag has to do with a pole's durability and weight, which is directly relative to the type of construction material used. Graphite, carbon fiber composite, fiberglass, and aluminum are the pole material mainstays, which are explained in detail below. You should also note that some of the more modern poles are not straight, like the majority, but slightly bent. These are designed for racers  and slalom  skiers, since the angle is meant to wrap around the sides of the body while the skier is in a tucked position. It helps create more aerodynamics, which is important for racing.

• Aluminum poles are the cheapest and lightest, but also the least durable--with one exception. The drawback to all aluminum poles is that if you take a big fall you may risk bending or even snapping them. That makes this type of pole reserved for beginners or the occasional skier who is not the aggressive type. Poles made of aluminum alloy  or carbon fiber aluminum composite  are much stronger and very well suited for advanced recreational skiers. They maintain the lightness of aluminum and gain the strength of a more durable material without overly affecting the cost.

• Carbon  or Graphite  composite poles are strong and very lightweight, but also more pricey. Those who have skied for a few years and are upgrading their equipment may benefit from these hi-tech poles since they will last a long time, and outperform all other types of poles. They are ideal for racers and advanced skiers as well.

Grips

Typical grips are made of molded plastic  handholds with an attached, adjustable nylon strap that loops around your wrist. There are also less common grips that wrap around your hand, but these are often reserved for children's poles .

Popular Brands

If you are an avid skier, it's likely you already have developed brand loyalty for one of these companies. For anyone who is familiar with ski equipment, all of these brands have a reputation for making reliable, quality products. 

• Salomon 
• K2 
• Rossignol 
• Scott 
• Smith 
• Goode 
• Life-Link 
• Atomic 
• Leki 

Popular Poles

Gabel Team Alpine Ski Poles  These poles are durable, with an adjustable strap and an F45 aluminum shaft.	Scott USA Team Issue Trekking Pole  A trekking pole with an aluminum shaft, a carbon-diamond tip, and an aerodynamic disc basket.	New Alpina Masters Excite Ski Poles  An inexpensive steel tip aluminum pole for the skiing novice.	Kerma Scorpion Ski Pole - Women's  The carbon fiber shaft and Course 51 basket help make these poles perfect for Nordic skiing.	New Whitewood Maverick Aluminum Alpine Men Ski Poles  A good starter pole, with an 18mm tapered shaft and a Neopreme strap.

Related Guides

Skis Before going anywhere, you'll need skis to ride down the mountain. Be careful to find the perfect pair before hitting the slopes!	Boots Boots are necessary to fit into your bindings. Check out what type of bindings you'll be buying before attempting any boot shopping.	Bindings Bindings attach to your skis and hold your boots in place. Since most boots and bindings are made to fit together, it might be wise to buy both items together.	Jackets Without the right jacket you may end up suffering. Make sure to find something warm, comfortable and waterproof!	Goggles Snow can be surprisingly vicious without goggles. If you're going to be around bad weather or snow machines, don't go without a good set of goggles.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Skistokken Shopgids