Do you prefer skiing with or without poles?

Question

The first time I skiied was this year, schoo lfield trip and the beginners weren't allowed to use poles.

Answer 1

Once I have my class comfortable on the beginner lift I let them bring poles along. Before then it is something for them to hang on to with their hands and they develop bad habits.  I carry mine at all times when I'm skiing, except when I'm teaching a beginner class. Many times when I'm free skiing, I do not use the poles, I just carry them. I do use a hand motion as if I was touching the pole but use just my feet to control the skiis.

Answer 2

When you first begin to ski, poles are just a distraction and don't serve any purpose.  However, when you get better, you will apreciate the need for an extra point of contact with the snow whilst turning (it's much easier to lean properly if you drag your pole along the snow to give that litle bit more balance; ask your instructor about this), and they're useful for getting up from falls, moving on the flat, leaving lifts etc.  I personally always ski with poles, and I now find skiing without them really weird.

Answer 3

Poles are really a habit.  When you are a beginner you don't know what to do with them (and they are not very useful on slow speed turns).  Many instructors regard them as a distraction and do not use them.  They are one more thing for beginners to worry about.  Poles are useful (although not necessary) for timing and body position in more advanced turns.  When your instructors think you are ready for them they will let you know.

Divagirl (below) is probably a classic example of why beginners should not use poles.  I can almost guarantee, reading what she wrote, that she is using poles incorrectly.  Some poor instructor in the next year or 3 will have to spend a lot of time getting her out of her bad habits before she or he can start teaching good habits.

Answer 4

Well, in today's more modern ski schools, first-time kids are taught until about level 4 without poles. This is because (this is a fact), skiing is harder without poles. The lack of poles allows them to develop their skiing technique so that when they can use poles, their skiing improves tenfold.

The purpose of ski poles is to increase your balance and overall confidence while skiing.

Because ski poles are meant to increase this confidence, i definetley prefer to ski with them. Your skiing not only looks better, but it feels better, too.

Hope this Helps.

Answer 5

Definitely with poles. When you become advanced, you will need them. They create another point of contact with your body and the snow. They help you keep your rhythm when turning and add another level of balance to your skiing.

Answer 6

When I teach kids, I don't use poles.  Poles tend to cause your hands to lay by your side, this puts you out of balance, making it easier to fall.  Plus, beginners tend to fall more, and they may fall onto their poles, causing injury (I sprained my thumb on more than one occasion when I learned).  

It's important to ski in balance.  Use your ankles to press your shins against your boots, loosen your knees and keep your hands out in front, as if you're about to hug someone.  I have a lot of tricks/games I use with kids so they can feel this.  Try skiing with your hands by your side...it'll be harder to turn.  Then put your hands out in front, it'll be easier to turn.  Thin of pushing someone you don't like down the mountain.

I introduce poles when kids can keep their hands out.  Until you get to more advanced skiing (trees, bumps) and ski rhythmically, poles are of no use.   A pole touch will help with rhythm, required for harder terrain.

Get used to skiing in balance before worrying about poles.  At this level, the only thing poles will do is help you on the flats, otherwise they;ll get in your way.

Answer 7

With because that way I can slow down and speed up easier, and I can also control my balance, and how I move over the snow. I also like that they help me feel like I have more protection because I can control everything easier

Answer 8

Its good to start without poles to get the correct technique and learn not to rely on them.

I learnt without but now i use them all the time except when we feel like ditching them for a couple of runs :)

Answer 9

prefer skiing.

Answer 10

they definintely help me keep my balace when i go fast or turn sharply...also they help if i try to stop on ice

Answer 11

i ski race, so we're required to use poles while training, but i actually perfer skiing without them. theres less things to dent! : )

Answer 12

I prefer to ski with poles, because, I think they help you to balance and when your going fast, that really matters. I think, because you were a beginner they wanted you to get used to the skis, then when you get better, bring poles in. They would just get in the way when you're learning.