Expert Review: Salomon Artic Ski Poles
This review is my honest opinion of the ski poles, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2021.
All photos courtesy of Rhett Dalton
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the ski poles, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2021.
My Take
The Salomon Arctic ski poles are a basic aluminum pole that is lightweight and durable for the beginner/intermediate skier. These poles hold up for whatever I throw at them.
About the poles I own
- Model: 2021 Salomon Arctic Ski Poles
- Size: 125 cm
Test conditions
- When I bought these: December 2021
- Days tested: 30+ days
- Where I’ve used them: Big Sky, Salt Lake City, Bend-Oregon, Whiteface, Columbus, Mansfield, OH
- Skis: Salomon QST 99s
- Boots: Salomon QST Access 80s
- Bindings: Tyrolia Attack2 13 GW
- Terrain: Groomers, backcountry, moguls, trees, off piste
About me
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Experience: 23 years of skiing
How they perform
What I was looking for
I was looking for a reliable ski pole: something with a comfortable grip that would last for years of skiing. I considered clip-in and adjustable poles, but I had a budget of under $100.
Why I chose this gear
I ended up settling on the Salomon Arctic Ski poles as I could not reason with paying over $100 dollars. I was very interested in the Armada Carbon adjustable ski poles for the flexibility in changing lengths and the foam grip. Those poles were over $150, which was out of my range. The Arctic's looked to have the durability and comfortable grips that would suffice for my skiing needs at a price that I considered reasonable.
What I love about it
- Weight: These Artics have a lightweight aluminum shaft of around 8 ounces per pole keeping my setup light and not causing any arm fatigue.
- Durability: These have been battle tested through varying terrain and numerous flights out West. The aluminum shaft will dent and paint will peel off, but they have held together for my needs. The basket has a limited lifespan; it is wearing out after two full seasons.
- Grip comfort: The dual-material, all-mountain grip is comfortable and fits my hands well. The grips have shown no wear or tear and I haven’t had any issues with them slipping from my grip.
- Extra features: These poles do have a standard strap for overhand security to keep the poles near in case of a fall. They also have a standard tip, which is common on most poles.
- Performance: These are great for alpine, free ride, and park. They can be useful for backcountry skiing, but they are not intended for touring, as they aren’t adjustable nor do they have a powder basket.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Adjustability: These poles are not adjustable. They are only available in varying fixed lengths starting at 100cm with sizes in 5cm increments to 140.
- Basket size: The basket is standard but a bit on the smaller side. Over time, they seem to be wearing down faster than the pole itself. Until they fall off, this shouldn’t impact my skiing, but it would require replacement or purchasing new poles.
- Touring ability: They can be used for touring, but are not intended for this purpose. These poles aren’t adjustable, which comes in handy for touring, and they don’t have a power basket.
Favorite moment with this gear
I’ve had numerous great moments with these poles. In general, ski poles aren’t the most important gear, except in times of flat ground. They came in handy last season on an early season trip to Alta. This resort is one of my favorites, but it includes a lot of runs that are only available by traversing long distances. Several times I lost speed when traversing to the run I was trying to get to. These poles assisted me in powering through some flat ground to hit those runs off the beaten path.
Value for the money vs. other options
These poles come in at around $50, which can’t be beat for their durability and performance. There are other great pole options like the Armada Carbon Adjustables, but at nearly three times the cost, it is hard to stomach that cost for adjustable length.
Final verdict
The Salomon Arctic ski poles are a lightweight, durable pole that provide the average skier with the performance and comfort they want at a very reasonable price.
