How to choose your ski poles?
The ski pole plays an important role in your skiing. Whatever the snow, powder or groomed, this essential accessory will allow you to take support in the climbs or the turns, in order to bring you stability. It is therefore crucial to choose a ski pole adapted to your size and type of skiing for more pleasure on the slopes. You can also find a detailed article on touring poles.
Choosing the right size for your ski poles
To find out if a pole is the right size for you, start by turning it upside down, handle down and tip up. Next, grasp the pole under the washer and if your elbow is at a right angle (90°) then the pole is your size. If your arm is more open then the stick is too small, if your arm comes up then the stick is too big.
Size guide :
| Skier's height (in cm) | Pole size (in cm) | Skier's height (in inch) | Pole size (in inch) |
| 200 | 140 | 78 | 55 |
| 190-200 | 135 | 74-78 | 53 |
| 185-190 | 130 | 72-74 | 51 |
| 175-185 | 125 | 68-72 | 49 |
| 170-175 | 120 | 66-68 | 47 |
| 160-170 | 115 | 62-66 | 45 |
| 155-160 | 110 | 61-62 | 43 |
| 145-155 | 105 | 57-61 | 41 |
| 135-145 | 100 | 53-57 | 39 |
| 125-135 | 95 | 49-53 | 37 |
| 115-125 | 90 | 45-49 | 35 |
| 105-115 | 85 | 41-45 | 33 |
| Less than 105 | 80 | 39 | 31 |
There are also different pole materials, all of which are different and will have an impact on your practice.
Carbon: light poles, which absorb vibrations better, especially recommended for ski touring.
Aluminium: multi-purpose poles for a variety of activities. You will notice numbers to differentiate aluminium:
5083 for lightness
5086 for lightness, but with more strength
7000 for good strength.
Composite materials: a mixture of carbon and other materials such as fibreglass or titanium. They are both strong and light.
A suitable washer
- Approximately 50 mm in diameter: For track use, for speed.
- Approximately 80 mm in diameter: Ideal for all practices and all levels.
- About 100 mm diameter : Wider and therefore more suitable for freeride and off-piste to avoid sinking into the snow.
A comfortable handle
The handle will bring the touch of comfort to your ski pole. But remember that you are wearing gloves, so the different foam textures will be absorbed by them. There are different materials for the handle, which will affect your comfort.
- Rubber is strong and comfortable
- Plastic is rigid but less comfortable.
- Cork is very pleasant, light and insulating. Ideal for intense skiing.
- Foam is mainly used for ski touring.
A practical strap
Essential for a good grip, the straps are sometimes accompanied by a detachable system to facilitate their use. On some pole models, the straps are automatically detached in the event of a fall for greater safety. When off-piste, however, it is advisable to remove your straps so that you can dispose of the poles in the event of an accident. It also provides extra support during the push and pull phases.
Finally, when choosing the size of your ski poles, don't forget to take into account your practice. For example, if you are a freestyle skier, you will prefer shorter poles that you can control more easily during your tricks. On the other hand, for freeride skiing, it is preferable to have longer ski poles to get through the deep snow zones without any trouble.
Now you have all the keys to finding the right pair of poles to follow you around the slopes!