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How to buy the perfect cross-country ski poles (Includes information on pole length selection.)
General Guidelines
Poles plant further back and at an angle when:
- You are working against more resistance. (eg slow snow, uphill, getting started from a standstill)
- High tempo/stride frequency
- The skis are in a V-angle
- Your technique uses one pole at a time (eg diagonal stride)
- You are less strong
What to check
If you plant the poles too far forward then the start of your pole push won’t be smooth enough. That’s called grinding out the start. If you plant the poles too far back you may miss the chance to extend your pole stroke at the front when skiing at higher speeds.
