How To Use Your Ski Poles - Make Your Skiing Look And Feel Better

[@puregsr]

My own note: 1) Strong grip including pinky with straight wrist, elbow bent. 2) Home position of poles about parallel to shin 3) Think pole touch instead of pole plant 4) Plant when skis are flat or you are perpendicular to the slope 5) Atheletic stance, be prepared, don't search for wifi

[@nobodyspecial9035]

Thanks bro

[@levitipps915]

Thank you! Many instructors open the lower fingers and flick the pole out and some even teach it! Your concept clears the whole issue up.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

You're very welcome!

[@Vaughton]

The freeze frame comparisons are very helpful👍

[@CraigMcCracken-m2j]

This is a really good segment. Thank you. The instruction of what to do (pinky finger, where to try to keep poles) and the explanation of why and what you are trying to achieve is great. Like the visual comparison side by side as well.

[@MarcoFD]

i really like the timing of this poleplant, its much later compared to what is generally taught but im convinced this one will suit a lot of people better, its like having arm rail on a staircase kind of stability when going into the turn at the point of having to commit to it. i personally also like having my thumb on the top of the pole instead of around it so its easier to flick forward.

[@Benzknees]

Loving the degree of detail in recent videos & gradually applying it to the cameraman. Can't wait to try it out on the snow!

[@Hospitality-Brokerage]

Awesome video on the pole plant. The squeeze with the pinky tip I found super helpful. I’ve never heard that and have been hanging with advanced Psia instructors for 20 years. Much appreciated!!

[@melcookehome]

this super reinforces the concept you introduced in your rotate your upper body video. Not sure which vid it was but you talked to the Austrian (?) who told you to rotate and you thought it counter to everything you had thought about previously. Today I played with that idea of rotating the upper body into the turn and it really changed my rhythm in a good way.

[@christophercowan8760]

This video is a friggin' game changer! I employed all the tips in this video today and OMG, I was a different skier out there. It's amazing tip to keep that pink finger wrapped around the pole, when you bring that pole around with your outside ski it puts you in almost the perfect body position. I just switched over from snowboarding and I've been struggling to find that one cue that helps me setup my turns and keeps things flowy... THIS WAS IT! Now I just need to convince my wife to let me pull the trigger on the rest of your subscribed content :D

[@frederikd9841]

As a beginner ski instructor this helped me a lot. The way you point out these minor details - that can actually have a major impact - will not just help me progressing my own skills but also will help me to explain it in a more understandable way to my students . Thank you!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Fantastic so glad it was useful for not just you but your teaching of others

[@darhmakarma4838]

Wow! That’s amazing stuff. My ski season just ended here in Southern Québec but I still watch videos to improve my skiing for the next season. I’m looking forward to practice these little but important tricks. Like you said, it’s not about speed all the time but the aesthetics also count a lot, you get a ton of pleasure by skiing smoothly and with grace. Thank you very much.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Glad you liked it and good luck working on your skiing

[@fergusobrien7963]

Tom.. you are always on it...if I want to share instruction with other skiers (not to mention my own) who are looking to improve their skiing by breaking it down to its essential components and or get rid of bad habits, it's all about you and former ski racer Debbie Armstrong who's passion for the sport knows no-bounds.. Thank you!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I appreciate you saying that. Helps keep motivation high. Thanks for watching and enjoy your winter season.

[@rogue11788]

This is the only video you need for pole plant.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I think it’s useful too. But I think I could add even more useful tips on top of these ones. I’ve really enjoyed working in my pole use and seeing the positive effects from it

[@hermannarminius7746]

One of the biggest things I had to adjust as I went up in levels is shorter poles. To be fair, I used to have longer ones to make moving around the slope easier, but had to shorten them up to make bumps manageable

[@ardenpowers7730]

Thanks for spending the time and effort to show all the proper mechanics of the pole plant (touch). This ready position is an essential key to establishing correct body position and flow. I have seen a lot of instructors who miss out on even holding their ski poles correctly !

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks. I didn’t want to do just a basic pole plant tip video. I wanted it be more of the details that I think about in my own skiing. The things that have helped me to feel and look better on skis. I’ve really enjoyed working on the ski pole use side of my skiing. In many ways it is what makes your skiing look a certain way. Expressive

[@ardenpowers7730]

@@Bigpictureskiing Just take a look at the skiers that look all put together on the hill. Their economy of motion and flow would not be as impressive without the refinement of great pole handling skills . . .

[@ValLangridge]

Excellent teaching so easy to understand. Thanks for your videos.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Glad you like them!

[@cams3425]

Thank you for the detailed tips. Your attention to detail truly does improve our skiing due to proper balance, being in a ready position and as you said, aesthetics. I can't tell you the number of times I jam my pole plants in the bumps the steep and bigger the terrain probably as a result of trying to be aggressive (so I don't sit back). Thank You!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

You are so welcome!

[@scarface548]

This video is gold. I've always wondered about proper use and no video explained it logically like this.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks 🙏

[@Rocstoneau]

That was excellent. I learnt to keep my wrist in alignment without opening or closing it and keeping my little finger holding my pole. Plus all the other good bits. I’ll be using this on the week ahead.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

How’d it go?

[@judy39]

GREAT Stuff! I am an in instructor in the US, teaching in New Hampshire and Utah. These are very useful from the perspective of an instructor. Thank you!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisdsilva3775]

Great video Tom. I believe how and when you plant your pole can have a big impact on the fluidity of your transitions. In addition, having a tidy pole plant gives your skiing a very polished look. The reverse is also true. A sloppy pole plant can disrupt the flow and overall aesthetics of your skiing.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks Chris. You’re in a great position to spread the word to members of your ski school. They’re lucky to have an open minded director like yourself.

[@AthelstanEngland]

Excellent video, looking forward to getting this. Really good to see the cameraman too and his initial doubts. His 'mistakes' and corrections really clicked with me.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Examples from real students are very helpful 👍

[@seoulskater_sd]

Wow, this is exactly what I needed to learn. Thank you!!

[@MrArunasB]

Thanks, Tom for grate video! Not many goes into this detail like you. Pinky finger feels great tip and it put all the missing pieces to my pole plant. Already tried it today!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Awesome. Did you feel how it had an impact on the way you felt your balance and motion in the crossover

[@MrArunasB]

@@Bigpictureskiing Yes, better balance and more confidence at the beginning of the turn. Also for me it gives better forward movement and sort of it adjusted sweet spot for it because before It wasn't stable some sometimes too much forward sometimes not enough. Ower all It gives me some final missing pieces in balance, fore-aft orientation, and better control and confidence at the beginning of the turn. Thanks one more time!

[@michaelsmith-yd9tq]

Great video ! I especially like the part where you advised your camara guy in real time, I could really see how it improved his stance and over all flow

[@lylecarlsonsurfboard]

Love your videos thank you. Chris Allen told me about your films. Great skiing ⛷️

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks for the kind words. And thanks to Chrisso for putting you onto me. He’s a great instructor too.

[@scollyutube]

Always thought holding the poles tighter every so often made me ski better. Thought it was just in my head, but after watching this it probably relates to a better upper body position and enhanced separation. I can understand him wanting shorter poles too when the body becomes more dynamic as I did that too. Cheers Tom. NZ this winter?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks. This winter is going to be Thredbo

[@jordi-rr6ce]

Thank you Tom, i was waiting your homework for this summer, whatching your videos make one really reflexionate, very interesting details

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Great to hear!

[@scottcursons1036]

Thank you Tom! I think getting good at this will be a game changer for me.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Let me know!

[@Lundlaker]

I realize I use my poles as a crutch, especially in more challenging terrain, where I do a blocking pole plant (I never knew that’s what it was called until your video) and then my hand tends to drag behind me. When I ski without poles, I find I rely on my legs more for balance and can initiate turns much more nimbly. That’s fairly easy to do in intermediate terrain, but much harder when it gets steep or deep or bumpy. Is there a role for skiing without poles in these conditions to get that leg reliance or should the focus be on pole plant timing and dynamics per your video? There’s a Scandinavian woman freestyle skier (Evelina Nilssen) who doesn’t plant her poles, but uses her arms almost like the big steering wheel of a bus and I wondered if that’s a technique to emulate. Do you teach at Sun peaks? Would love to take a personal lesson.

[@behroozghorbani1332]

Thanks Tom for this video. Many expert skiers and racers pole plant right after the apex of the turn as the outside leg retracts and pressure is transferred to the inside ski (the new outside ski), just before crossing the fall line. This is much earlier pole planting in the turn than what you demo in the video. Is this a matter of turn speed and turn shape? Thanks again.

[@roy87345]

love it and learn new things. So good ❤❤❤

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@VangelisStavroulakis]

Nice ! Thanks you share

[@leftycut1]

How about ski pole straps. Do you use them or recommend them for intermediate skiers? I have noticed a lot of people with no straps at all . My current pair are from the 90’s with rubber grips that wrap around your hand. Thanks for the advice and can’t wait for snow up here so I can start practicing these lessons

[@RobertYoderTruckee]

Awesome video on using the poles. I was letting go with the pinky. How did you know!😊Major difference keeping pinky strong,

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Glad it was helpful! And most of all you could feel the difference 👊

[@nzheliking1278]

Great instruction. What length ski pole do you recommend Tom? Im 183cm and use 125 poles. Some suggest shorter poles to help with getting further forward and staying connected in the plant. Cheers Nick

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I would get some adjustable ski poles like the Play poles my friend Paul Lorenz designed. That way you can experiment and not have to commit to one length. I switched to adjustables years ago and love the versatility. I go between 110cm up to 118cm. Depending on what sort of turns and terrain I’m skiing. I’m 179cm tall

[@Coconut_54]

looking for wifi 😅 great video as usual thanks!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks. There’s a lot of skiers out there looking for WiFi 🙂

[@snowelephant7475]

Here is Goryu Toomi slope, Hakuba, Japan, I Knew it!

[@micol1793]

What skis do you use ?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

These are the Fischer CT.

[@richardcasey4439]

“looking for wifi” 😂😂😂

[@Migueiii65]

Am Not A Good Mogul Skier….However The Few Times I felt Confident and Good Skiing Moguls, It All Came from My Pole Planting

[@tamcaj]

METRONOME

[@normware]

you never really spoke about pole length. Most people have poles that are too long. this makes for bad "plants"

[@daryljohnson3626]

Step one: ditch the poles. step 2: ditch the skis. step three: buy a snowboard.