All-Mountain.....Poles?

dl · Feb 8, 2011

Hey all - I have no desire to alienate all the forum participants here, so let me ask for some guidance.

I'm working with a company that has developed what we're calling all-mountain poles. I believe the technology is something that many forum members would benefit from or find interesting, especially those with an interest in powder and back country skiing. I'd like to share information on these - what's the best way to do this without pissing people off? Should I talk about them in this part of the forum or the gear section?

Quick background - I'm the founder of Snowshack (www.snowshack.com). I sold the company about 3 years ago. I have been following this forum for many years though I don't post a ton.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

riverc0il · Feb 8, 2011

I can't believe anything could improve upon the BD Flicklock design. Go ahead, give us your best. I'd certainly like to hear this one.

Cannonball · Feb 8, 2011

I found a pair of Scott poles in 1993. Then I found a pair of Leki telescoping poles the same year. I've been using one pair for lift-served and the other for BC for 18 years. Never once in that time have I wished there was a better technology. So I am really interested to hear about this breakthrough. Go for it.

dl · Feb 8, 2011

Thanks Steve. The secret is not in its ability to adjust in length though it can as they come in 2 and 3 section versions. The ability to adjust the basket size on the fly is the real differentiator. With a flick of the shaft, the user can trigger a spring that will deploy 3 PowderBlades so that the pole instantly becomes a backcountry worthy. When you return to the frontside, you simply retract the PowderBlades and you have what looks/feels like a traditional pole.

The poles are from a company called Orbital Skiing - www.orbitalskiing.com. There are two videos on the home page that show how these work.

Bring on the questions.

crank · Feb 8, 2011

Question: I have powder baskets on my poles and they work just fine on, well, not powder. So why would I need to shift back?

riverc0il · Feb 8, 2011

For myself, I can't see it being useful. I do a variety of skiing. Early season WROD, to lift serviced powder, to earned turn (sidecountry and true backcountry). I have always used the mid-sized BD basket on my touring poles for all occasions. I have extra big baskets for powder days. Never bother swapping them out even if I will only be touring in deep snow. Only takes a minute to swap out both baskets on both poles but I still never bother.

For this to work on the marketplace, the telescoping device would have to work at least as good as a BD Flicklock (a tall order) and for folks to see a need for a larger than mid-sized basket. I do a heck of a lot of skiing that involves very deep pow in the woods in between groomed trails. I don't think I would bother stopping to adjust my baskets every time I popped out of the woods.

Maybe other folks might think differently. But I wouldn't even consider it and I would definitely be in your target market, I think.

andyzee · Feb 8, 2011

dl said:
Thanks Steve. The secret is not in its ability to adjust in length though it can as they come in 2 and 3 section versions. The ability to adjust the basket size on the fly is the real differentiator. With a flick of the shaft, the user can trigger a spring that will deploy 3 PowderBlades so that the pole instantly becomes a backcountry worthy. When you return to the frontside, you simply retract the PowderBlades and you have what looks/feels like a traditional pole.

The poles are from a company called Orbital Skiing - www.orbitalskiing.com. There are two videos on the home page that show how these work.

Bring on the questions.

OK, cool, not that I ever worry much about changing baskets. Now tell us about the poles themselves.Construction, material, locking mechanism... Oh, by the way, I thought this thread was about me as I'm an all mountain Pole.

dl · Feb 8, 2011

crank said:
Question: I have powder baskets on my poles and they work just fine on, well, not powder. So why would I need to shift back?

The people we've talked to and shown these to like the option to have one basket that can do the frontside or the backside without the need to swap baskets. It won't be for everyone but most that have seen it like it.

Cannonball · Feb 8, 2011

dl said:
Bring on the questions.

Your website describes the inspirational moment: "It was on a heli-trip that Orbital Skiing founder Tom Virostek realized there was nothing that gave skier’s poles the instant adjustability needed to meet the changing conditions. Whether it was traversing across the ridge or picking himself up after a fall, his poles plunged deeply and were effectively useless."

Question: Did Tom go on a heli trip without powder baskets on his poles? It seems like this may have been his problem.

I guess the bottom line for me is that I've never had this problem. My old poles work great in powder and on groomers. If I suddenly start having this problem I hope I can come up with a solution for under $200. It seems like you may be trying to create a perceived need rather than filling a real existing one.

riverc0il · Feb 8, 2011

Wow, $189 for a pair of poles? I could get a pair of Whippets for that much!

dl · Feb 8, 2011

andyzee said:
OK, cool, not that I ever worry much about changing baskets. Now tell us about the poles themselves.Construction, material, locking mechanism... Oh, by the way, I thought this thread was about me as I'm an all mountain Pole.

The poles are carbon fiber with a tunsten/titanium ice tip. They come in 2 section and 3 section versions. The three section poles have a touring grip (foam down the top of the shaft). We're using a twist-lock to lock in the length.

snowmonster · Feb 8, 2011

I just want to know how the trigger mechanism will work. It'll have to be bomb-proof if the intention is to use it also in the backcountry.

dl · Feb 8, 2011

snowmonster said:
I just want to know how the trigger mechanism will work. It'll to be bomb-proof if the intention is to use it also in the backcountry.

There's a titanium spring that deploys the blades. When the blades are retracted they site at a 45 degree angle and effectively block the snow and ice from clogging up the system. The blades themselves are also designed not to retain snow. The testing we've done has shown the poles to stand up well in the deep stuff.

andyzee · Feb 8, 2011

Gotta agree with riverc0il, would rather put that kind of money towards something more worthwhile.

Puck it · Feb 8, 2011

I think these will be for the beautiful people at Vail. Die hards will not spend that kind of cash for poles that break. I break or bend poles pretty frequently. I found it hard to spend $80 on BD poles.

snowmonster · Feb 8, 2011

Thanks for the response. You may want to consider the price points for these. $180 is too expensive for a tool that will eventually get bent in a fall.

Cannonball · Feb 8, 2011

snowmonster said:
.... $180 is too expensive for a tool that will eventually get bent in a fall.

Agree 100%.....but actually it's BREAK not bend (carbon fiber)....even worse.

riverc0il · Feb 8, 2011

One great thing about the BD Flicklock is if you bend a bottom shaft, you can get a replacement bottom shaft on the cheap. I've bent a few lower shafts but never an upper shaft. I am constantly wrapping poles around trees in the woods and its nice just to toss in a new $10 shaft when that eventuality finally happens. With an $180 carbon pole, that definitely becomes a deal breaker.

Tough sell here at AZ as most guys here ski clown poles with the smallest basket possible. :lol:

powpig2002 · Feb 8, 2011

send me a pair to review. $189 must be one AWESOME pole

SKIQUATTRO · Feb 9, 2011

I have the Telemark Masters 3pc pole and its aweful, will be looking to get the BD pole...less moving parts

All-Mountain.....Poles?

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