Snow Skills

The choice of a ski pole becomes very important to your performance as you move into higher levels of skills and terrain. While poles may all look alike, the material you choose can have a huge impact on your talents. Metal poles are strong and less expensive than other options; they’re a good choice for beginning skiers. If you’re interested in becoming an accomplished skier, set yourself up for success by choosing a carbon fiber ski pole.

Carbon fiber poles are a composite of woven synthetic fibers that results in a shaft that is durable and flexible. The definition of durable in this case means that carbon fiber is stronger for its relative weight than metal and tends to last longer than metal materials as a result. This strength also allows carbon fiber poles to withstand the higher stresses produced by more difficult terrain and conditions such as moguls and hardpack. The definition of flexibility in this case means that carbon fiber poles have a more precise and deft feel to them than metal. The resulting comfort and ease of use will translate into steadier balance and confidence of movement and help you refine your skiing to higher levels.

And one more huge benefit of carbon fiber: the combination of durable and flexible also pretty much means these poles are unbreakable. Short of being exposed to a cutting edge, they will bend and return to their original form every time.� Unlike metal poles, they’re incapable of being bent or warped.