Ski Television:

Poles in Cut-Up Snow

My snowboarding friends would have me believe that snowboards are better tools for powder snow. And in untracked snow I might agree but I think in cut up snow like this we skiers can make a point for having an advantage. And especially when the snow is cut up and the bumps are beginning to form,

And the point is that we have two points. One two. We got ski poles, that snowboarders don't have. And the thing is we can get the pole there and that gives us the timing, that timing impulse to get the next turn started. But to get your ski poles working for you you've got to make sure that you've got a good pole swing like that.

So check this out. As I turn my feet look, my poles come forward. The bottom of the pole comes forward. Now look again, see the points of the poles are always moving. I'm swinging them forward. So what's our point again?

Well when the snow gets cut up and uneven, life can get uneven and awkward and one of the things that we skiers can do kind of keep our balance is make sure that the points come forward each time. Plant the pole. Have the pole there, you'll get that next turn started. And you might have one leg up on your snowboarder pals. Try it, I hope it works for you.