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I'm watching the Olympics. The skiers in the "classic" events like giant slalom or the downhill carry poles. But they never seem to use them for anything. I don't see the poles touch the ground unless it's part of falling. Some of the slalom skiers seem to use the guard on the pole to push the gates aside, but a big rigid glove could maybe serve that purpose. There also seems to be a role in getting back up after falling, but that is not a normal part of a run.

Is it habit or tradition? Does it help them to balance, like the long pole a tightrope walker uses? Is it for the first few strides at the very beginning of the race?

I know that ski jumpers and arials don't use them, so it's certainly possible to get down a hill without poles. What value do they bring?

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  • Did you watch them come out of the gate?
    – paparazzo
    Commented Feb 17, 2018 at 7:24
  • @Paparazzi that's what I was referring to with "the first few strides"
    – Kate Gregory
    Commented Feb 17, 2018 at 13:39
  • They help provide balance and stability. If you watch the skiing events closely, you will notice that the skiers do drag their pole tips across the snow when making turns.
    – pacoverflow
    Commented Feb 21, 2018 at 7:21

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The key thing poles are used for in downhill is the launch through the gate. But poles also provide balance, and help them keep or get out of trouble.

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The question is legitimate by a person who has never skied.

The poles help professional skiers during the races (as amateur skiers) to maintain a better balance. With the sticks you can move the weight (and so also the center of gravity) to right and left also allowing to support a higher speed

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  • I think you first line belongs in comments on the question not in an answer
    – Voromir Kadien
    Commented May 20, 2018 at 2:19

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