A high quality Aluminum Alloy 6061 makes the Salomon Arctic Ski Poles shaft strong, light, and puts this pole squarely in the “all mountain” category. Designed to be light and easy to swing while still bringing strength and stiffness to the table the Artic has a plastic ring at the base that allows you to screw on different baskets depending on conditions. A classic tip for easy punching hold and a classic traditional strap, the grip is a dual material all mountain grip for a comfortable feel in the hand and minimal slip. If you’re geeky, the shaft is an 18 mm shaft and this ships with an all mountain basket. Heading into the steep and deep? Swap it out for a powder basket. A comfortable traditional pole design that’s lightweight yet strong we’d classify this as a high end recreational pole for the skier who don’t want something that feels thick and heavy, but doesn’t feel it necessary to invest in a pair of carbon fiber poles. The thumb shelf on this pole keeps your hand correctly positioned, while the dual density grip is shaped, but not finger marked, so it comfortably accommodates a range of hand sizes without splaying the knuckles on smaller hands. If you’re replacing poles that have been outgrown, replacing a pair battered beyond belief, or, heaven help us... have lost your poles over the summer (did you tie up the tomato plants on them? Don’t ask why we have to ask that..) these are a sweet pair of poles designed to conquer the mountain.