SKI POLES
Basics
Especially in technically challenging situations ski poles can help you maintain your balance. Also your motion sequence is more fluent when using ski poles. Additionally ski poles help you to stand up after a fall. Poles are used in almost all varieties of skiing. Only fun carving and ski jumping do without them. In contrast to our modern, pair-wise ski poles a 2.5 metres long wooden pole was alternately stuck into the snow to make left and right curves in the beginnings of alpine skiing.
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Grip
The material should be soft, the surface slightly adhering, since the grip should not slip out of your hands when you are wearing gloves. The grip should also be shaped ergonomically, in order to be handy. Finally a hand strap should not be missing so that you may let go of the pole without losing it.
Tube
Ski poles are hollow inside and consist of light metal and fibre composite usually. With more expensive models also graphite is used in order to make the poles lighter and more resistant. The diameter of the tubes ranges from 1 to 2 centimetres. The tip of the poles is usually 5 to 10 centimetres long and conically shaped. With alpine skiing the poles are mostly waist-high and straight. Only down hill skiers have to use bent poles that aerodynamically adapt themselves to the tuck position of the racers.
Basket
The variety of two ski poles with baskets originates from Nordic skiing, where people mainly used to traverse even landscapes. The broad baskets sit about 10 centimetres above the tip and enhance the foothold by expanding the base of the poles. So they prevent the poles from sinking too deep into the snow. Strictly speaking, the baskets copy the principle of snow shoes. Shape and size of the baskets depend on the demands. While baskets for downhill skiing comprise just a few centimetres, those for deep snow are star-shaped.
