Perfecting Your FreeRide Pole Plant

If you’re riding planks, poles are a useful tool wherever you are on the mountain, but they really come into their own when you’re riding off-piste. So much so that the pole plant helps to define FreeRide technique over other types of recreational skiing.

In all forms of skiing, the principal role of the pole plant is to initiate a turn — in some cases, the pole barely makes contact with the snow — but in FreeRide the pole plays a more dynamic role. In addition to initiating turns and establishing rhythm, your poles act as a third point of contact with the snow to improve balance, check speed and change direction in steep and narrow terrain. If you’re serious about FreeRide, invest time and effort to perfect your pole plant and you could revolutionise your style forever.

Here are some things to consider as you work on your technique:

Assume the position

You can’t afford to be passive in FreeRide terrain. Arm carriage is critical to maintaining an active and dynamic body position over your skis. Imagine you’re hugging a tree that is too wide for your hands to reach around. Elbows are up, arms are rounded with hands out front and wrists slightly rotated to hold your poles at an angle so the baskets are not in front of your body. 

Hug that tree

Timing Is Everything

In the same way that the full-stop marks the end of a sentence, the pole plant marks the end of one turn and the start of another. As you reach the conclusion of your turn, with your skis across the fall line, legs at full rotation, and your shoulders separated and facing down the hill, lift the wrist of your downhill arm and extend your elbow joint to plant your pole tip into the snow. Don’t overdo it – this movement should be subtle and precise. You are now ready to unwind your body and initiate your next turn around your new plant. To find that indescribable state of flow, try to keep the time and distance between your pole plants similar. This is key for the even S-shaped powder tracks we all dream of.

Keep your hands in front of your hips

As you go through your turn, release your pole plant before your hand drops behind your hip. This will ensure you stay centred over your skis and will help to keep your shoulders and hips on the fall line. 

Extend and plant, find your rhythm

Keep your shoulders and hips facing down the fall line and your hands up and in front of you

Keep your arms up

When riding powder, bumps and variable terrain, try to keep your hands in front of you at all times. This not only helps to maintain a good posture and balance over your skis but it also means you can react much faster to the changes in terrain and snowpack that are typical in off-piste conditions — especially when you’re taking face-shots waist-deep in pow.

Hold your poles like you mean it

For many recreational skiers, poles are a fashion accessory rather than crucial gear. Not so for FreeRiders. Your poles are going to take a beating as they support your body weight through jump turns, checks, blocks and pivots. A strong, positive grip will not only soak up the impact you put your poles through, but it will also help you to maintain an active and dynamic body position (see “Assume the position” above). If you’re going to crush it up there, hold your poles like you mean it.

Express yourself

FreeRide is a form of self-expression. We all have to observe the basic fundamentals of skiing, but every FreeRider has their own unique quirks and traits in  technique — and the pole plant is no exception. At the Republic we think self-expression is fundamental; part of the Free in FreeRide. Actions speak louder than words. As a FreeRider you can express your inner self in the way you move on the mountain. So, whether your technique leaves an impression in people’s minds or a face-plant in the snow, we say Go for it!

Go for it and express yourself