• Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!

    You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!

Poles?

Not Sure

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 14, 2013
Messages
2,859
Points
63
Location
Lehigh County Pa.
Website
www.youtube.com
LOL that what I used to do. Back in the day Bristol had a mid-station between upper and lower rocket and you could just hop off. But if you left your poles hanging from the bar and forgot to pull them up at midstation they instantly became much shorter.

Killington South ridge mid got mine, Learned to hang em on the outside so they pop off if I forget.
 

Not Sure

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 14, 2013
Messages
2,859
Points
63
Location
Lehigh County Pa.
Website
www.youtube.com
IMG_3503.jpg
Do you mean the molded plastic things that looked like a guard on a sword? I had a pair of those and used them for years!

Stolen at Jay Peak circa 2009. :(

One benefit of this type of grip is while sking moguls I use my arms alot for balance and feel that I don't have to maintain alot of grip pressure to keep my poles in my hands.
 
Last edited:

Brad J

New member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
354
Points
0
I haven't used the straps for over 30 years , I the 80"s thumb injuries were thought to be because of straps. don't use them don't need them! except to hang poles on tips of skis in the rack.
 

catsup948

New member
Joined
Dec 6, 2007
Messages
1,026
Points
0
Location
Shelburne Falls, MA
I love my poles. Bought them at a generic sporting goods store in Albany, CA for 20 bucks 10 years ago and they have taken a beating ever since! Changed out the baskets several times and bent them back a couple times. I can't imagine skiing without poles.
 

VTKilarney

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Messages
5,553
Points
63
Location
VT NEK
Is there any reason to spend a lot of money on poles? Other than graphite versus aluminum, how much difference can there really be?
 

Domeskier

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,278
Points
63
Location
New York
Is there any reason to spend a lot of money on poles? Other than graphite versus aluminum, how much difference can there really be?

I have always tried to spend as little money as possible on poles, which I'm always breaking. I can be persuaded otherwise, however.
 

BenedictGomez

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2011
Messages
12,412
Points
113
Location
Wasatch Back
Is there any reason to spend a lot of money on poles? Other than graphite versus aluminum, how much difference can there really be?

They're lighter and more resilient. Try good poles versus cheap poles and you should notice a big difference in swing weight, which is really nice. Personally I like the Trigger series by Leki, very convenient when boarding the lift. As for "breakage", I broke one at Whiteface 2 seasons ago and they replaced it free of charge, so they're got great customer service working for them too.
 

Scruffy

Active member
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
1,157
Points
38
Location
In the shadow of the moon.
I haven't used the straps for over 30 years , I the 80"s thumb injuries were thought to be because of straps. don't use them don't need them! except to hang poles on tips of skis in the rack.

I don't use straps either, unless I'm racing or XC skiing. With those disciplines you use the straps wrapped under your palm as leverage.

I'm always ducking into the woods, and to stop and remove the straps is a pita.

Once you get use to hanging on to your poles and not leaving them behind, stuck in the snow, life is much simpler. No more moments at the lift when you forgot to unstrap.
 

VTKilarney

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Messages
5,553
Points
63
Location
VT NEK
Maybe I should look for some used poles at the Kitchen Wall on Mt. Mansfield this spring.
 

Farleyman

New member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
127
Points
0
I've been stocking up on 70s-80s ski poles, Almost every yard sale near my house in Franconia has old poles for $2-$5!


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone
 

Farleyman

New member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
127
Points
0
My current poles came from the swap shop at the transfer station for free!


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone
 

Savemeasammy

New member
Joined
Mar 20, 2013
Messages
2,538
Points
0
Location
S. NH
I have always tried to spend as little money as possible on poles, which I'm always breaking. I can be persuaded otherwise, however.

I don't think I have ever broken any, but they always end up bending at the bottom...

For the record, I have NO idea what I paid for my poles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Domeskier

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,278
Points
63
Location
New York

BenedictGomez

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2011
Messages
12,412
Points
113
Location
Wasatch Back
I think most people here know how remarkably cheap I am. So if I'm saying there's value in paying a bit more for a quality set of poles, you should at least keep an open mind about it and perhaps borrow a pair from a friend for a run and try them. Ironically, in some ways having Cannonball steal my poles at Jay Peak back in 2009 turned out to be beneficial.
 

MadMadWorld

Active member
Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Messages
4,082
Points
38
Location
Leominster, MA
I bought a pair of Scott poles for 70 and they have lasted probably 7-8 season without a Crack or break. Plenty of scratches but no major damage
 
Top