Originally Posted by KooLAiD

I can't even tell you how many times I have taken my poles to the ribs or landed on them. That is why I use the ten dollar rental ones now. I have a monkey stile anyway... ...for those who don't know what that means, I almost always have my hands by my side and don't really use them except to balance.

Try learning how to land switch on skis. I got hit in the head twice by my skis learning that one. You need to keep your head up otherwise your balance will shift and you will start to lean forward. Then you land on your tips and like a spring they load up and pop off, no fun. Took a bit, but finally got the hang of it after some good wacks to the helmet.