Ski poles

Which ski poles are right for you?

The ski poles you need mainly depend on your height and intended use. For piste skiing, a fixed-length ski pole is usually a good choice. It is simple, strong and available in many different lengths. Ski tourers almost always choose telescopic ski poles, allowing the length to be adjusted while climbing and descending.

Freeride ski poles often have a larger basket, so they do not sink as deeply into powder snow. Many models also feature an extended grip, allowing you to hold the pole lower down during traverses or in varied terrain. Many freeriders prefer telescopic ski poles, as they can adjust the length to suit the conditions.

Freestyle skiers often choose a slightly shorter pole that is less likely to get in the way during tricks and rotations. You will also find a selection of race ski poles in our range. These are lightweight, stiff and designed for maximum control at high speed.

What length ski poles do you need?

At Snowcountry, we prefer slightly shorter ski poles to support an active and sporty skiing stance. The general guideline for determining the correct ski pole length is: height in cm × 0.7 = ski pole length. Our ski experts often recommend choosing ski poles that are 5 centimetres shorter. Therefore:

Height in cm × 0.7 - 5 cm = ski pole length for an active skiing stance.

Example: If you are 180 cm tall, the calculation gives a ski pole length of 121 cm, so you would choose a 120 cm pole for an active skiing stance.

If you prefer to ski in a more upright and comfortable position, you can follow the general guideline.

You can also view the complete ski pole size chart in our buyer’s guide.

Fixed-length or adjustable ski poles?

Fixed-length ski poles consist of a single shaft and are commonly used for piste skiing, freeriding and freestyle. They are simple, strong and do not have an adjustment system that needs to be set beforehand.

Adjustable ski poles can be changed in length. This makes them particularly suitable for ski touring and freeriding. During a climb, you can adjust the length to suit the slope, and for the descent you can set the pole back to your normal skiing length.

Aluminium or carbon ski poles?

Aluminium ski poles are robust and usually more affordable. However, at Snowcountry we generally recommend choosing carbon ski poles. Carbon ski poles are lighter, stiffer, feel more direct and provide a better pole plant.

What should you look for when buying ski poles?

When buying ski poles, pay attention to the following features:

• Correct ski pole length: suited to your height and skiing stance
• Use: piste, freeride, touring, freestyle or race
• Type of ski pole: fixed-length or telescopic
• Material: aluminium, carbon or bamboo

Buy ski poles at Snowcountry

At Snowcountry, you will find ski poles for piste skiing, freeriding, freestyle, racing and ski touring. Use the filters to select by size, material, brand, type and intended use. Unsure between two models or lengths? Our ski experts use the equipment themselves in the mountains and are happy to help with any questions about length, material and intended use.