How do you properly use your ski poles in downhill skiing?

Sunday 4th November 2007 at 11:37:03 PM

skibuddy
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I always see people having a hard time using ski poles correctly. Could you give me tips on how to use ski poles properly in downhill skiing? I hope it would help a lot of skier who often misused ski poles in skiing.

Monday 5th November 2007 at 12:57:42 AM

ssaustin
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in racing...

or just freeriding?

Monday 5th November 2007 at 2:07:44 AM

tommbakk
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In Downhill racing...? As in competition downhill raching? Actually, I think you only use them while standing at the start-gate, to push yourself through the gate and then the first yards of the run to gain as much speed as possible...

Other than that, I think they're basically there to help the skiier maintain balance during the run. I've never seen the poles being planted during a downhill run.

In general skiing though, the pole is supposed to be planted as you initiate a new turn...that is, when you shift weight from one ski-edge to the other.

Tommy B

Monday 5th November 2007 at 10:37:44 AM

Jake573
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tommbakk posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007
In Downhill racing...? As in competition downhill raching? Actually, I think you only use them while standing at the start-gate, to push yourself through the gate and then the first yards of the run to gain as much speed as possible...

Other than that, I think they're basically there to help the skiier maintain balance during the run. I've never seen the poles being planted during a downhill run.

In general skiing though, the pole is supposed to be planted as you initiate a new turn...that is, when you shift weight from one ski-edge to the other.

Thats really not true tomm. I used to think so too but a couple years ago i took a lesson, just to kind of polish my riding. Its good to hear advice from a pro to critique your style.

He told me that i was using my poles too much, even when i thought i wasnt using them enough. With old straight skis, ya thats what they were for. But with new skis, theyre just sort of there.

Monday 5th November 2007 at 6:34:59 PM

ssaustin
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Jake573 posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

tommbakk posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007
In Downhill racing...? As in competition downhill raching? Actually, I think you only use them while standing at the start-gate, to push yourself through the gate and then the first yards of the run to gain as much speed as possible...

Other than that, I think they're basically there to help the skiier maintain balance during the run. I've never seen the poles being planted during a downhill run.

In general skiing though, the pole is supposed to be planted as you initiate a new turn...that is, when you shift weight from one ski-edge to the other.

Thats really not true tomm. I used to think so too but a couple years ago i took a lesson, just to kind of polish my riding. Its good to hear advice from a pro to critique your style.

He told me that i was using my poles too much, even when i thought i wasnt using them enough. With old straight skis, ya thats what they were for. But with new skis, theyre just sort of there.

well i use mine a lot in bumps and i think they must have some balance factor theres a lot of things they do that you dont realize actually

Monday 5th November 2007 at 9:18:58 PM

skibuddy
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ssaustin posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

Jake573 posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

tommbakk posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007
In Downhill racing...? As in competition downhill raching? Actually, I think you only use them while standing at the start-gate, to push yourself through the gate and then the first yards of the run to gain as much speed as possible...

Other than that, I think they're basically there to help the skiier maintain balance during the run. I've never seen the poles being planted during a downhill run.

In general skiing though, the pole is supposed to be planted as you initiate a new turn...that is, when you shift weight from one ski-edge to the other.

Thats really not true tomm. I used to think so too but a couple years ago i took a lesson, just to kind of polish my riding. Its good to hear advice from a pro to critique your style.

He told me that i was using my poles too much, even when i thought i wasnt using them enough. With old straight skis, ya thats what they were for. But with new skis, theyre just sort of there.

well i use mine a lot in bumps and i think they must have some balance factor theres a lot of things they do that you dont realize actually

For me, the purpose of ski poles is to help us with our balance.

Monday 5th November 2007 at 9:35:56 PM

ssaustin
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skibuddy posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

ssaustin posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

Jake573 posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

tommbakk posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007
In Downhill racing...? As in competition downhill raching? Actually, I think you only use them while standing at the start-gate, to push yourself through the gate and then the first yards of the run to gain as much speed as possible...

Other than that, I think they're basically there to help the skiier maintain balance during the run. I've never seen the poles being planted during a downhill run.

In general skiing though, the pole is supposed to be planted as you initiate a new turn...that is, when you shift weight from one ski-edge to the other.

Thats really not true tomm. I used to think so too but a couple years ago i took a lesson, just to kind of polish my riding. Its good to hear advice from a pro to critique your style.

He told me that i was using my poles too much, even when i thought i wasnt using them enough. With old straight skis, ya thats what they were for. But with new skis, theyre just sort of there.

well i use mine a lot in bumps and i think they must have some balance factor theres a lot of things they do that you dont realize actually

For me, the purpose of ski poles is to help us with our balance.

what about ski pole fights!!!

thats the reason right there

nothing more satisfying then hurtling a pole at your friend like a javelin

Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 10:25:59 AM

Jake573
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ssaustin posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

Jake573 posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007

tommbakk posted the following on Monday 5th November 2007
In Downhill racing...? As in competition downhill raching? Actually, I think you only use them while standing at the start-gate, to push yourself through the gate and then the first yards of the run to gain as much speed as possible...

Other than that, I think they're basically there to help the skiier maintain balance during the run. I've never seen the poles being planted during a downhill run.

In general skiing though, the pole is supposed to be planted as you initiate a new turn...that is, when you shift weight from one ski-edge to the other.

Thats really not true tomm. I used to think so too but a couple years ago i took a lesson, just to kind of polish my riding. Its good to hear advice from a pro to critique your style.

He told me that i was using my poles too much, even when i thought i wasnt using them enough. With old straight skis, ya thats what they were for. But with new skis, theyre just sort of there.

well i use mine a lot in bumps and i think they must have some balance factor theres a lot of things they do that you dont realize actually

Ya, bumps are true. And they are pretty necessery for balance reasons.

Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 10:31:39 AM

ssaustin
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ski pole fights :)

Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 11:53:24 AM

Jake573
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ssaustin posted the following on Tuesday 6th November 2007
ski pole fights :)

Fun till homie gets shanked.

Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 12:35:55 PM

ssaustin
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im raw

Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 4:53:39 PM

tommbakk
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I guess both of you are right, Austin and Jake...

Myself, I pretty much use my poles for balance. I haven't really found the use for planting them while turning, so it makes sence that with the old, straight cut skis, you needed more active use of the poles to turn. (I actually thought I was supposed to use them a WHOLE LOT more! So, thanks for the tip, Jake...I'll just keep 'em for balance sake)

And, the occacional use as javelin! Which is REAL agressive skiing...

Hurling poles at people...basically using the pists as a hunting ground. (Do other skiiers count as game? Or will ski patrols kick ya out of the area???)

I kinda think I know the answer...

he he

Tommy B

Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 8:42:28 PM

ssaustin
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tommbakk posted the following on Tuesday 6th November 2007
I guess both of you are right, Austin and Jake...

Myself, I pretty much use my poles for balance. I haven't really found the use for planting them while turning, so it makes sence that with the old, straight cut skis, you needed more active use of the poles to turn. (I actually thought I was supposed to use them a WHOLE LOT more! So, thanks for the tip, Jake...I'll just keep 'em for balance sake)

And, the occacional use as javelin! Which is REAL agressive skiing...

Hurling poles at people...basically using the pists as a hunting ground. (Do other skiiers count as game? Or will ski patrols kick ya out of the area???)

I kinda think I know the answer...

he he

naw dude everyone knows that im raw g

im like son we wutang we wutang

and ride off in muh escalade

son