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Ski poles Alpine Freeride
Ski poles? They're not just an accessory!
Alpinstore offers a wide range of brands to help you find the perfect pair of poles. Ski poles, sold in pairs, are not just a trendy accessory. They also help to improve your balance and stability as you hurtle down the slopes. Yes, a pair of ski poles needs to be chosen! So follow our advice...
The composition of a ski pole
If we describe the pole from bottom to top, it's made up of the following components:
- The tip: the tip is where you plant your pole in the snow. This makes it easier to move forward when the slope becomes flat. The tip can also be planted at all your turn entries, to help you trigger it correctly.
- The washer: the washer is the element that prevents the pole from sinking too deep into the snow every time you plant it. There are several types of puck, including pucks designed for on-piste use (narrow and with little wind resistance) and pucks for powder snow (wider for better lift when pressed).
- The tube: ski pole tubes can be made of different materials: aluminum or carbon. The more carbon, the lighter but less resistant the pole. The tube can be single-stranded, as with Leki ski poles , or telescopic, as with Black Diamond ski poles . The choice depends on your preferences.
- The handle: the handle is where your hand comes to rest. That's why it must be as comfortable as possible. There are two handle styles: 4-finger or 3-finger + index finger, which are better for smaller hands.
- The wrist strap: The wrist strap is the strap that goes around your wrist when you're in position. It holds the pole correctly when you're on the move, but above all ensures that you don't lose it in the event of a fall.
At Alpinstore, we offer top-quality equipment, but that doesn't mean we don't think about every type of skier and every type of budget, which is why we also offer the low-priced Kerma brand of ski poles.
How to choose the right pole size?
To be effective and efficient, the size of your pole is essential. The higher it is, the more power you'll have to pick up speed, and the less energy you'll use.
The trick is simple:
- Turn the stick upside down. Place the handle on the ground, with the tip pointing towards your head.
- Put your hand under the washer (in fact, when the stick is stuck in the snow, the tip/washer part is invisible. This is why this small part should not be taken into account when choosing the size).
- The hollow of your elbow should ideally be at a 90° angle. If this angle is too wide (>90°), then take a stick size larger; if the angle is too narrow (>90°), then take a stick size smaller.
If it's not possible to try out poles as explained above, here's some information to use when choosing a size: in general, skiers of the following sizes most often opt for these pole sizes.
|
Skier size cm |
Pole size |
|
1m55 / 1m60 |
110cm |
|
1m60 / 1m65 |
115cm |
|
1m70 / 1m75 |
120cm |
|
1m75 / 1m80 |
125cm |
|
+1m85 |
130cm |
Now you know everything there is to know about ski poles. The cards are in your hands, so all you have to do is follow our advice to choose the ideal size. From green slopes to black runs, you'll be on top form.
