growing up racing for 8 years and coaching race teams for two.. i have a pretty good understanding of what a pole is used for. and yea, if your out ripping in the backcountry or skiing trees or carving up the slopes, use em. i do. when when im in ontario riding like 800 m hills where most of it is park... there is really no use.
i mean sure they help when your too lazy to skate. but unless you candide thovex and your pole plant-cork 3ing off a 130 foot booter.. you dont need em.