Depends on what I'm feeling but honestly poles don't matter much, I mean it's more of a style preference. Although this is my first year on skis and when first skiing in the park I didn't use them and never really enjoyed using them, but once I started using them and got used to doing grabs while holding a pole which can be tricky with mitts, I sort of just kept using them and one day I tried went without them and it was fine but it didnt feel right, but then a few days later I went and didn't use my poles much so it depends on the day but I usually go with poles now.