The pole touch in long radius turns

 Goal: Dynamic long radius turns
Level: Expert
Suggested terrain: Groomed expert terrain.
Author: Kobus Reyneke
Summary: The pole touch is a major component of long radius turns. It's easy to get it right if you know how--here's the trick.

Photos and Videos coming soon!

IMPORTANT! Understanding our approach and philosophy is important if you'd like to successfully use the drills in Ski Smarts
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  • Three main things to consider in the pole touch: Where, How and When.

Where to touch

Stand in a traverse position.

Imagine a clock: 12 o'clock is at the tip of your skis; 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock are directly to your sides (90 degrees from the front.)

In long radius turns, you swing your pole and touch it down the hill, in about a 1 or 11 o'clock direction (not much downhill from where your skis are pointing.)

How to touch

As gently as possible, but there's a bit more to it:

  • Do not "plant" the pole--just a gentle touch.
  • Your arms are held mostly steady--let the wrists alone swing the poles.
  • At the point where the pole touches the snow, roll that hand forward and over the pole--keep the hand moving forward and avoid it getting bounced back at you.
  • The two poles swing continuously, but out of sync--as one swings forward, the other swings back.

When to touch

In long radius turns, the pole touches right after your skis have crossed the flow line and are roughly pointing across the hill. The touch triggers the new turn.

Print this out for future reference and remember to have fun!