Poles vs. No poles

Just ski with a tall glass of rye and coke (preferably a double) in each hand:
Making sure not to spill any will keep your hands quiet, and when you get proud of your progress, you will be well prepared to celebrate.
 
I ski without poles all the time, but its usually because I have to carry a bunch of shit down the mountain, like rakes or shovels.

Try pole planting a rake. it works really well
 
I ski sans-poles and love it. I rollerblade in summer and the transition from skating to skiing is just so much easier without poles. However this year I cut down an old pair of poles to about 20" gonna try em and might start using them permanently. I have to say though, skiing powder without poles has really helped my form or whatnot, let's me focus all on my skis and legs. However, the reason I'm switching back is because something Tom Wallisch said. Apparently, back when he was skiing without poles, judges were giving him lower scores so he started using them again.
 
I usually switch off skiing with or without poles, but last season I got fed up with breaking my thumbs so much, so I just quit using poles altogether in the middle of the season. I really want to ski with poles again, but honestly I'm still scared of breaking my thumbs more. I have spent so much time at doctors and physical therapy for my thumbs and they are still not 100% and its been like 8 months. Anyone else breaking thumbs a LOT? Am I doing something wrong when I'm using my poles?
 
yup i'm feeling you on the thumbs. and breaking poles is also a massive hassle (sorry i don't like stealing poles from rentals) BUT i still continue buy poles because i like to laugh at snowboarders who can move in lift lines or skiers who waddle about like penguins.
 
Ohh deeer, should I dare mess with this??? A wise man once told me " a good skier skies with their feet, not their hands..." Colin Farrel a wiser man sang "Judge not, before you judge yourself." Bob Marley and my favorite said "To reach the masses, some sort of big organization (whether) domestic and foreign branch affiliation, is not necessary. To reach the growing number of students, some sort of pre-conformed set must be established as standards for the branch to follow. As a result all members will be conditioned according to the prescribed system. Many will probably end up as a prisoner of a systematized drill.
Styles tend to not only separate men - because they have their own doctrines and then the doctrine became the gospel truth that you cannot change. But if you do not have a style, if you just say: Well, here I am as a human being, how can I express myself totally and completely? Now, that way you won't create a style, because style is a crystallization. That way, it's a process of continuing growth.
To me totality is very important in sparring. Many styles claim this totality. They say that they can cope with all types of attacks; that their structures cover all the possible lines and angles, and are capable of retaliation from all angles and lines. If this is true, then how did all the different styles come about? If they are in totality, why do some use only the straight lines, others the round lines, some only kicks, and why do still others who want to be different just flap and flick their hands? To me a system that clings to one small aspect of combat is actually in bondage.
This statement expresses my feelings perfectly: 'In memory of a once fluid man, crammed and distorted by the classical mess.'""B.L.
 
i answer the same to every one of these threads..........

WHO CARES!!!!!!!! everyone needs to stop taking themselves so seriously, skiing is fun, do what you want to have fun!
 
Just do what eels right to you. Don't worry what pros are doing what, if you like/fit a certain style run with it. Don't try to be something else.
I usually use poles, unless I'm hiking a rail or something for a long time trying to learn a trick or something.
 
For me pole-less just doesn't feel right but i ski with guys who think using poles doesn't feel right. So just try both and do what you think is best for you.
 
If you're just going no-poles to boost your image then you'll have trouble adjusting you're style later on. I'm not saying you have to use poles. but you should if you want to learn to do things the right way. Besides, keeping track of both your poles and skis during grabs is half the challenge. As far as hand drags and plants, go for it, but you should have poles for the other stuff.
 
this is such an original thread. Can't believe I've never thought of this topic for discussion.

For the love of god do whatever the fuck you want.
 
Does skiing in manitoba, and having to deal with a lot of tow ropes count as an exception to not using poles?
 
and then me who is the other .000001 percent who dont use poles because i hate the feeling of having them in midair when im doing grabs
 
funny i'll grant you, i loled, but not really 'highbrow'...

i was one of the greatest anti-no-poles guys. then i tried it this weekend. i learned more tricks in 1 weekend than the last 2 seasons combined. in the park no poles is the shit, outside the park i didn't feel it. each to their own.
 
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