How to choose ski poles

Material

Standard poles are mainly made of aluminum, carbon or bamboo. If you want to enjoy every detail while skiing, you should go for more premium sticks made from carbon fibre. This modern material is lighter and is also characterised by higher rigidity. They are easier to handle and can deal more effectively with various types of snow.

Length

Crouching and unnatural bending whilst riding is a clear indication that the skier's poles are too short. A skier with disproportionately long poles puts an excessive strain on his heels because his center of gravity is shifted too far back. Which length is the most appropriate? A simple calculation will help. All you need to do is multiply your body height by a factor of 0.7 and you will have the optimal pole length. We can also use a simple trick. Stand upright, turn the ski pole upside down and hold it just below the ring. If the forearm and the shoulder form a right angle, the pole is the ideal length.

These can also be a practical solution telescopic poles, which allow the length to be set individually.

Handle and strap

The handle is made of anti-slip materials with the loop forming one unit. The strap should be fixed around the wrist when skiing. This will prevent the stick from falling out of your hand. Premium models have a special strap that can automatically disengage from the handle. This feature can be invaluable, especially in the event of an unpleasant fall or crash. A jammed stick can cause unpleasant injuries at high speeds.

Ring

We choose poles with smaller rings for prepared slopes. On rough terrain, in deeper snow or for off-piste skiing, poles with a larger ring diameter are better. After they are placed, they grip better and the larger ring makes sure that they do not sink too deep into the snow, the skier does not lose his balance.

Our recommendation

Now you know which parameters are important when choosing ski poles. Still can't choose? We examine numerous models every day and we can help you choose the right model according to quality, equipment and price. See our recommendation:

Reasonably priced ski poles

Ski poles with the best price-performance ratio

Premium quality ski poles