Buying Your First Pair of Ski Poles? Here's What To Know

Most skiers use poles. These handy spears are key to a successful turn, and make balancing while skiing—and navigating flat areas—much easier.

Like any part of the mountainous kit needed to go skiing, choosing the right sized poles can, at first, seem daunting. Don’t worry, though, as far as ski gear goes, poles may be the most straightforward piece of equipment you’ll buy. 

For more information on sizing and choosing ski poles, keep reading. 

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Sizing Ski Poles

Choosing the right size skis is a complicated, multi-factorial equation. Skier weight, skill level, and height are important, as is the make and model of skis you’re considering.

Deciding on a pair of ski poles, luckily, is less involved. Here’s what to do.

If you’re at a shop with some poles handy, choose the ones you like, flip them over, and grab them just below the pole basket. Then, place the handles on the ground, and bring your elbows to your sides. With the right-sized poles selected, your forearm and upper arm will form a neat 90-degree angle, like an L. That’s it!

Ordering online? Bend your arms and, at that 90-degree angle, measure the distance from your hands to the ground. Subtract about two inches from your finding, and you’ll be in the ballpark range for a new pair of poles.

Additional Ski Pole Wisdom

You may, however, have noticed some skiers using poles that clearly fall outside of the general 90-degree rule. One common permutation here is poles that are much shorter than usual. 

These short poles are sometimes favored by park skiers. Since they’re spending most of their time hitting jumps and sliding rails, they don’t need full-length poles to help them balance. In fact, a long pair of poles might get in the way while they’re doing tricks. Occasionally, park skiers ditch the poles altogether.

In contrast, some skiers prefer poles that are longer. Why? It feels better for them.

That’s the thing about ski poles. The 90-degree angle rule is a good place to start, particularly for skiers graduating from rentals to their first pair of poles. But pole length, just like ski length, has wiggle room based on personal preference. One way to figure out what you like and experiment is to buy adjustable ski poles.

Types of Ski Poles

Adjustable Ski Poles: Adjustable ski poles are typically marketed towards backcountry skiers. The telescoping function means they can be longer for the uphill climb and shorter on the downhill. You don’t need to be a backcountry skier to buy adjustable ski poles, though. It’s fun to change up your pole and be flexible. Just be prepared to pay extra.

Race Poles: Ever see those funny curved ski poles? Those are for racers, designed for specific use cases on the downhill or slalom course. You could grab some yourself, but be prepared for comments. You might even be challenged to a race, which, depending on what you’re into, could be a pro or a con.

Standard Poles: No fancy curves or adjustable gizmos here. These are poles in the most basic sense of the term. They might not turn heads in the lift line, but they’ll absolutely get the job done.

Ski Pole Materials

Aluminum: The go-to ski pole material. They’re durable and inexpensive while offering that “classic” ski pole feel.

Carbon: Carbon fiber poles range from light to really, really light. They tend to cost a bit more, though.

Bamboo: Bamboo poles are an outlier. A few brands, like Grass Sticks and Booyah, make them. Of the main options, they’re the most eco-friendly. Plus, they look cool. 

What About Pole Straps?

This one could prove contentious depending on who you ask. 

Pole straps, as you might expect, make it easier to avoid dropping and losing your ski poles. In achieving this goal, they do great. However, many skiers don’t use pole straps. Why? They’re worried about the straps yanking their wrist and arm in a fall. 

Skiing in avalanche terrain adds another risk factor. The Utah Avalanche Center went as far as warning against using pole straps. They also advised removing them altogether from your poles. According to the avalanche center, poles attached to a skier’s wrists can function like a boat anchor, pulling them under the snow if they’re caught in an avalanche.

That concern, of course, only applies to those venturing into the backcountry where avalanches are a major risk. In the resort, ski patrollers work to mitigate avalanche risk. Still, within the boundaries of ski resorts, you’ll likely spot many skiers—particularly expert skiers—not using their pole straps.

Do I Need To Spend a Lot on Ski Poles?

Nope. When choosing poles, finding the right size matters most. Beyond that, weight and adjustability are secondary. Get some off Craigslist. Go to Goodwill. Buy the wrong size and trim them with a pole cutter.

As an anecdote, I’ve gotten by for years with whatever poles I could find in the basement. I even spent longer than I’d care to admit missing a basket on one of my poles. I only upgraded to adjustable poles when I received some as a Christmas present—and I do like them—but they’ve hardly made me a better skier.

What is important, however, is learning how to use your ski poles correctly, but that’s a discussion for another day. 

Related: 5 Essential Tips for Safely Skiing in the Backcountry