The mountains in western Pennsylvania are not coveted as the Western and Northeastern U.S. for snow fun. It is the best place to ski and board in a reasonable drive for several metropolitan areas including Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Baltimore and Columbus. Seven Springs Mountain Resort is the reason.

Seven Springs boasts a snowmaking system that produces one foot of snow on 54 of the resorts 285 skiable acres in about 13 hours. The resort’s snowmaking prowess is no surprise. Its founder owns HKD Snowmakers, a leader in development, manufacturing and installation of snowmaking equipment since 1991.

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A ski pole that can punch through an icy top coat is crucial for maneuverability and braking when traversing unsavory slope conditions. The tip on the Carbon Bamboo pole passed this test and pierced packed powder or crusty top layer without problem.

The leather wrapped EVA handgrips feel natural in your hand and are textured to keep your gloved hands in place. The wrist straps have a basic design and are the only negative part of the Carbon Bamboo poles.

The wrist straps are adjustable but have a short length. It doesn’t allow you to rest the strap between your palm and the handgrip. It is not a major deficiency as the tungsten and carbide tips won’t get stuck from a pole plant even in the hardest packed base.

images/KomperdellThe Komperdell Carbon Bamboo ski poles have the look of a wooden pole with the feather light advantage of carbon. The wrist straps are a negative but not one to preclude you from considering the poles for your downhill hi-jinks. (MSRP $169.95)