Comment by throwway120385
3 days ago
I've been told that it's easier to learn to ski without poles by an experienced instructor. Apparently his pupils would all spend their time trying to figure out these new "pole" things and very little time actually learning how to balance if he started there. I also think it's probably better to hike without trekking poles even on difficult terrain until you master balance. They're more for supporting your upper body if you have a 75+ liter pack full of gear than for keeping you from eating shit if you step on an unsupported rock.
I've taught several snowboarders how to ride and the teaching process is about putting them in a position where they forget about the distracting things.
Always start them on a blue (or blue-black) slope, because it forces them to learn to use the edge of the board. Lot of easy drills like side slipping and simply turning your head to control direction.
If you start a snow boarder on a green run, it always results in them catching an edge and eventually face planting. Not a fun experience.
A bit like skateboarding - on typical pavement, it's easier to fall just going straight if you go ~3 mph than if you go ~6 mph.
that might be a good analogy because, generally speaking, skiing is much, much harder without poles (hence an expert would never do it (unless they are hitting an olympic vert ramp or something)), but it is exactly for this reason that the poles distract you from learning the "right" lesson-- people use their poles pretty much randomly at the start, and the poles help them... to do the wrong thing. but once you have the real crux of skiing down-- body position and balance + using your edges and weight shifts to turn-- poles are completely trivial to add.
great analogy!
When my kids learned to ski, it was without poles. The poles are an encumbrance, not only on the slope, but getting onto the tow rope.
Likewise, music. The most popular method -- Suzuki -- starts kids out without sheet music. Reading comes later.
In both cases, it's also just less gear to manage. The benefit becomes obvious in group lessons and recitals.
I took skiing lessons a couple years ago. This is how it was done. I can't say it was any easier as I had never skied before and I never will again.