Just like in hiking, poles offer numerous benefits for alpine skiing or snowshoeing. But before heading out into the snow, properly preparing and knowing how to use your poles is essential—explore all our tips.
How to use your hiking poles in the snow?
Just like in summer hiking, using poles for ski touring provides extra contact points, ensuring better load distribution, improved balance, and full-body muscle engagement while sparing your legs and thighs. In deep powder, even with snowshoeing gear, you might sink slightly; poles help keep you upright. On uneven terrain, they make handling climbs, descents, and obstacles much easier. Across slopes, they significantly enhance stability, keeping you confident and secure.
If you already go summer hiking and want to trek in the snow, there is no need to buy new poles. You can easily use your regular hiking poles for a snow outing—provided you make a few minor adjustments. Check out our expert tips to properly set up your poles before heading out on a ski tour or snowshoe hike.
- Fit your poles with winter baskets: if you are using your standard hiking poles, the first essential step is replacing the summer baskets with winter ones. Their wider diameter will prevent the poles from sinking too deep into the snow.
- Adjust the wrist straps: if you already use your poles for hiking, your wrist straps are likely standard rather than gauntlet-style. That is a plus! In the snow, you will be wearing mittens or thick gloves that you do not normally use. You will therefore need to adjust the wrist straps by loosening the webbing.
- Check the length of your poles: ski boots often have a different stack height than hiking boots. Make sure to check that your poles are adjusted to the correct height—meaning your elbow forms a right angle. Alternatively, adjust them slightly longer if you want a wider stride for faster-paced walking on flat terrain.
- Opt for a lever-locking system: if you choose adjustable telescopic poles, opt for a lever-locking (clip) system rather than a twist-lock. A external clamp lever is much easier to operate in high-mountain weather conditions. Tightening and loosening a screw-lock can prove tricky with mittens or thick gloves.
