Ski Pole Baskets

[Uncle-A]

I picked up a new pair poles and they came with two sets of baskets. One was the snowflake type and the other is the small cap type. So I thought it would be good to find out some of your ideas on baskets.

When answering this tell me snowflake or cap type basket and why?

Baskets

• Uncle-A
• Jan 13, 2018

Thanks

 

[tch]

Small basket is for skiers who ski mostly groomed, hardpack, etc. Small baskets don't "catch" on the return and are lighter.
Big baskets are powder baskets, designed for handling deep, off-piste conditions. They provide more of a platform in the deep.
Which you mount depends on which condition you mostly ski.

Some people (like me, b/c I happen to have two sets of adjustable backcountry poles) actually have two sets of poles mounted with different baskets.

 

[dbostedo]

My poles have two sets as well... I plan to have the small ones on most of the time, and put the bigger ones on if I expect to ski any deeper stuff.

 

[cantunamunch]

I picked up a new pair poles and they came with two sets of baskets. One was the snowflake type and the other is the small cap type. So I thought it would be good to find out some of your ideas on baskets.

When answering this tell me snowflake or cap type basket and why?

Baskets

• Uncle-A
• Jan 13, 2018

Thanks

There are two other significant styles that you did not reference - aerodynamic cone baskets (racers) and touring baskets (just as large as your powder baskets (or bigger) and either asymmetrical or mounted on a flexible platform, so that the front end doesn't dig into the upslope snow when climbing (or pushing behind you)). The latter type has evolved into XC baskets.

 

[Crank]

The snowflake baskets are called powder baskets. They work fine for hard snow and a lot better for soft snow.

 

[n black]

Since I quit racing, I've only kept powder baskets on my poles. Big baskets do fine for general purpose groomed condition skiing (if you look back in time, all baskets were big by today's standards, even those on racer's poles), but small baskets are no fun at all in the deeper stuff.

 

[cantunamunch]

Here is a pic of touring baskets in downhill action - notice the basket on the right is deflecting up off the snow. I don't have a good pic of them adapting to uphill slope angle yet, sorry.

Photo by @Philpug, April 2011

 

[crgildart]

Remember the Scott "Pointless"? No basket or point, just a 1" diameter metal inverted cup where the point is on other ski poles.. Looked like a wrist JARRING idea to me. Someone here has some, @Dave Petersen or @Doug Briggs ???

 

[Jersey Skier]

As you saw, I always choose the orange ones, regardless of size. Goes well with the green Grassticks.

 

[Dave Petersen]

Remember the Scott "Pointless"? No basket or point, just a 1" diameter metal inverted cup where the point is on other ski poles.. Looked like a wrist JARRING idea to me. Someone here has some, @Dave Petersen or @Doug Briggs ???

It is Doug.

 

[Doug Briggs]

Remember the Scott "Pointless"? No basket or point, just a 1" diameter metal inverted cup where the point is on other ski poles.. Looked like a wrist JARRING idea to me. Someone here has some, @Dave Petersen or @Doug Briggs ???

It is Doug.

Yes, it is.

And yes they were. Pointless - no tips but WHY? They jarred the whole arm as they were springy. While they are a great addition to a few outfits, they really are not fun to ski with.

The gloves were a mistake. I had two vintage gloves in the truck. Both were rights.

 

[crgildart]

Yes, it is.

And yes they were. Pointless - no tips but WHY? The jarred the whole arm as they were springy. While they are a great addition to a few outfits, they really are not fun to ski with.

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The gloves were a mistake. I had two vintage gloves in the truck. Both were rights.

I'll retro race you someday. I'll go with my split tails and Lange XLs. How fun that would be!

 

[Doug Briggs]

I'll retro race you someday. I'll go with my split tails and Lange XLs. How fun that would be!

Too much!