Ski Television:

More on Pole Planting

Okay now, I'm speaking to advanced skiers today. I don't want to sound like a pole-plant Nazi or anything, but there is a way to plant your pole. There's a way to move your hand at the end of the turn. And there are ways to not move your hand.

An effective pole-plant is one that has you positioned properly to move into the next turn. And to get that proper positioning you've got to have your pole plant right.  I'm going to get really fussy here — where my kids think I'm anal, when I get after them for this. Sometimes they borrow my poles, and I get the poles back and the strap is all twisted up. I know they've been kinda putting it on like this, and going like that, and it's all knotted up and it's not flat on the palm. Okay, this is being a real pole-plant Nazi, the anal-retentive ski pro here: look at this ... you've got to have that flat, you put your hands up like so, and now the strap is flat across the palm of your hand. And there is no fold there, so it is nice and comfy. That means you can do a good pole-plant.

Avoid curling your hand inwards. If anything, keep your thumbs in line with your forearms, or turn your wrists outwards a bit. Move your hands to a point which is slightly downhill. Swing the basket of the pole forward. Remember, you can only turn your feet as fast as you can plant your poles, so you owe it to yourself to develop a good, efficient pole-plant.