There’s no skiing without ski poles – you need them to stay upright, they help with speed and direction on the slopes, and they’re handy for hoisting yourself back to your feet if you fall. Even if you aren’t strapped into skis, they’re useful for getting through the snow around your resort. BUT, the all-important question: how do you know which ones to buy? Here's all you need to know…

Helpful, friendly advice from our skiing and snowboarding brand.

Choosing your ski poles isn’t tricky, you just need to consider three things: size, the handles, and the basket (that’s the ‘basket’-shaped bit that fans out around the bottom of the pole).

To see if a ski pole is the right size for you, turn it upside down so that the grip is touching the floor and hold it vertically with your hand under the basket – basically, form an angle of 90° with your forearm. We recommend that you do this with your knees slightly bent, while wearing your ski boots. If the angle is less than 90°, try a shorter pole. If the angle is greater, get a longer pole.

Wed’ze offers four different types of handles, each with their own advantages:

Single-material

Good for durability

Foam

Light and comfortable

Dual-material

Easy to grip

Long

Better up/down versatility, ideal for ski touring

Small Diameter

A small basket is best for skiers who love speed and groomed slopes because it’s light and offers good precision.

Medium Diameter

With this size of basket it’s easy to switch between all-mountain and groomed slops, slope edges, and powder.

Large Diameter

The best way to remember what this one is good for? Go big or go home! If you’re a powder fan, a large basket will stop you sinking in the snow.