Longer, thinner, stronger – these are the attributes of a good cross country ski pole. If you’re looking for a shorter, stubby, weak model, there are alternatives for you. You’re in the right place if you want to learn more about how to short a cross country ski pole.
Table of Contents
The History Of The Short Ski Pole
It started in the early 1900s with the invention of the very first snow shoe. Because the snow shoe is so light and easy to use, anyone with a pair could easily walk to the top of a hill and back. After that, people just kept on innovating, coming up with new designs and making improvements. Pretty soon, the snow shoe morphed into the ice skates of today. A year later, in-line skates were released and they, too, spurred innovation. The design of the modern day ski pole was born.
The Evolution Of The Ski Pole
Over the years, the design of the ski pole has changed a lot and adapted to the times. When you look back at the history of the sport, you’ll see that the pole was developed for sliding on snow; when you look at modern day sports like skiing and snowboarding, the pole is there for balance and maneuvering. The ski pole is an integral part of the sport because it allows people to practice and master their skills.
Materials And Shape
The traditional material used to make the cross country ski pole is wood. The most common type of wood used is hickory because it’s light yet strong. Another popular material is graphite because it’s very strong yet lightweight. Over the years, the shape of the ski pole has changed too. Gone are the long, slender poles that you see in old ski movies. Modern day skiers want their poles to be shorter, stouter, and more angular. Take a look around your local ski store and you’ll see what I mean.
Size
One of the most important factors to consider when shortening your ski pole is the size of the tip, which is where the actual sliding takes place. The smaller the tip the shorter the ski pole. Typically, the shorter the pole, the smaller the tip. In most cases, you’ll want to keep your handle at least two or three inches in diameter to maintain your grip when throwing the ski pole.
As previously stated, the entire length of a ski pole is important because it allows you to master your turns. This is why the shorter the better when it comes to the length of your ski pole. If you were to shorten your ski pole by one inch, it would reduce your turn radius by about one inch, which could make a significant difference on the slopes.
Style
What’s important to remember about the cross country ski pole is that no matter what shape or size you choose, it still has to perform its primary function of enabling you to ski or snowboard. In other words, you want to keep all of the original design aspects of the tool so it still functions properly. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a style for your cross country ski pole is the way you want to hold it. Do you want to grip it in the middle with two hands or do you want to use it like a baseball bat and hold it in a low position?
If you decide to grip it in the middle with two hands, you’ll want to go for a straight layout with no curves or twists. The reason behind this is that any sort of curve or twist in the pole will make it more difficult to control. By having a straight pole, you can easily make turns and do various tricks. The downside is that if you have long, skinny fingers, it can be difficult to grip the middle of the pole with two hands. This is why most experienced skiers and snowboarders use their poles like baseball bats with little fingers curled around the ends for easier handling.
Function
The last thing anyone wants is a ski pole that doesn’t perform as good as new. This is why it’s important to take out all of the original tools’ parts and have them professionally repaired or modified if they get damaged in any way. Depending on how experienced you are, you may opt to have the entire thing replaced because getting a good one can be quite pricey. If you want a short ski pole that still functions properly, keep in mind the dimensions and style of the tool as previously stated. With these two factors in mind, you’ll have a more detailed idea of what size to go for instead of just picking the shortest one that looks appealing to you.
In conclusion, there are many ways to shorten your ski pole. You can have the entire thing fixed, just the ends tapered, or you can even grind off some of the material. However, the best way to go about reducing its length is to start with the ends and have them tapered. Doing this will not only make it easier to handle but will also increase the strength of the structure. In most cases, having your ski pole shortened by at least two inches will make a significant difference. Just make sure you have the right tools for the job and know how to use them properly so you can get the best result. Nowadays, there are many different companies that make specialized tools to taper and shorten your ski pole. Just make sure you get the right one for the job because if you pick the wrong one, you could end up damaging the entire pole instead of just the ends.