Pole Planting

Going back to when I was taught to ski 7 years ago, I was always told to use my upper body and arms for helping with balance and making turns. For a long time, I swung my shoulders far too much, but got to grips with that last year. A lot of emphasis was put on where you put your hands and using them to point into turns somewhat.
I was also taught pole planting at the end of my first weeks lessons, but never took it on board back then, and its only in the past couple of weeks skiing that I have been trying to teach myself to use the poles more, and i have to say that on certain types of slope, I find this really useful.
I couldnt ski without poles, my daughter on the other hand finds it hard to ski with them. I dont think there is a right or wrong answer, it all depends on what suits you individually.

I am so glad the usual Bods decided to get involved in this conversation -I hoped Trencher, Tony, ise etc would help guide us to the right answer. I think they all deserve a 5* for their posts.

I am not commenting - I use mine to either stop me falling over, leaning on when I am tired, might pole plant on an easy slope, catch mice and rats that run around the balcony of an apartment (yes the last is true!!) :mrgreen:

Ski poles dont however appear to like drunk Danish blokes skiing straight at them at 50mph, as this proves:



Had I been a few inches to my left, I might not ever have skied again.

Just to make clear. I am not against skiers using poles. Just the assumption that poles are need to ski well in some conditions. Beyond that I would say that when we see phantom pole plants like the ones in the first video (of WC skiers free skiing), the movements have nothing to do with the poles at all. In the carving cup race series the skiers make similar movements, but unencumbered by poles the movements are more flowing and natural. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zj7fkilZLo

Trencher

Wow

What a lively discussion abot a simple topic.

Just a suggestion to reinforce the fact that a good ski pro will solve the smallest of woes. I've been on the boards for some time now and still like to keep up by taking a finesse lesson about every two seasons or so. It's usually because equipement has changed or I've got sloppy :oops:.

Here's a good link to see the CSIA way to ski. View the video shorts to see the various stages of skiing and observe. Mimic what you see on the hill and you will do do fine.

http://www.snowpro.com/csia/e/apre-ski-video-gallery.html

JamesA wrote:Wow

What a lively discussion abot a simple topic.

I really want to emphasise that I not trying to upset anyone with my arguments. I Just wanted to present an alternative view.

Trencher

Trencher,

I am so pleased that you presented the alternative view.

Pole planting always seemed unnatural on a groomed piste to me. I agree with whats been said about the arm movements and I try to do that.

You have just made me feel better in that it seemed to me to be wrong to not want to pole plant even though I could see top skiers not doing it (both videos).

I'll keep it in mind though to reinforce the arm movement.

Thanks

Trencher wrote:Just to make clear. I am not against skiers using poles. Just the assumption that poles are need to ski well in some conditions. Trencher

When I started to read this thread I felt myself taking a certain 'position' ) but after reading all the posts I'm inclined to agree with Trencher.

I'm fairly sure that when I'm carving on groomed runs that I make a pole plant type movement without actually planting my pole.

I would say though that if you dont learn to plant your pole at an intermediate level you will always struggle to ski bumps or very steep slopes. So perhaps its a case of using pole plants selectively rather than never using them at all.... possibly.....maybe.... )