Copper Mountain, Colorado – In a recently uploaded Instagram Reel, a ski patroller spots a skier looking to jump into newly open terrain, pole-free. That’s when patrol steps in with a call-out that’s equal parts practical and priceless.
“You don’t have poles, and it’s going to be really, really, F*ing hard for you, man.”
The patroller questions the decision, pointing out the obvious logistical flaw: without poles, how exactly is this skier planning to get out of a flat section?
The humor in the clip isn’t mean-spirited. It’s classic ski patrol energy. A little dry. A little blunt. Entirely rooted in mountain logic. Ski patrollers spend their days managing risk, handling emergencies, and keeping terrain safe. So when they see a skier making questionable decisions, they are likely gonna call them out.
To be fair, skiing without poles isn’t unheard of. Some riders ditch them for park laps, beginners sometimes learn without them, and a handful of skiers just prefer the minimalist feel (which I will never understand). But context matters. If you’re heading into terrain with long traverses or flat exits, poles aren’t just accessories.
The best part of this clip isthat the skier enters the zone and almost immediately falls, losing both his skis, on what looks to be a move that would have been totally avoidable if he had poles to keep him from falling over.