Ski pole basket

Abstract

A ski pole basket is formed to leave an imprint in the snow in the shape of a print. In embodiments, the ski pole basket has a profile of a selected animal footprint. In various embodiments, ski pole baskets disclosed herein may be used for recreation, ski instruction, finding party members while skiing, or other uses. Ski pole baskets may be secured to a typical ski pole by various means. Various types, shapes, and/or sizes of ski pole baskets may be attached and/or interchanged according to a user's personal preferences or specific uses.

1 . A ski pole basket comprising:
 a downward-facing concave surface, comprising at least one downward-facing protrusion forming a perimeter outline of at least one respective print feature, wherein multiple print features combine to depict a shape of an animal footprint and   an attachment collar on the surface for attaching the ski pole basket to a ski pole.   
     
     
         2 . The ski pole basket of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment collar comprises a threading. 
     
     
         3 . The ski pole basket of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment collar comprises a collet. 
     
     
         4 . The ski pole basket of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment collar comprises a friction fitting. 
     
     
         5 . The ski pole basket of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment collar comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The ski pole basket of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the animal footprint further comprises a downward protrusion forming an internal footprint feature. 
     
     
         7 . The ski pole basket of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the animal footprint further comprises an outer profile forming a footprint profile. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method of skiing, comprising:
 striking a ground surface with a ski pole basket, the ski pole basket comprising:
 a downward-facing concave surface, comprising at least one downward-facing protrusion forming a perimeter outline of at least one respective print feature, wherein multiple print features combine to depict an animal footprint shape and 
 an attachment collar on the surface for attaching the ski pole basket to a ski pole; 
   making an impression of the animal footprint shape into the ground surface; and   lifting the ski pole basket from the ground surface.   
     
     
         10 . A ski pole basket comprising:
 a downward-facing concave surface, comprising at least one downward-facing protrusion forming a perimeter outline of at least one respective print feature, wherein multiple print features combine to depict a shape of an animal track and   an attachment collar on the surface for attaching the ski pole basket to a ski pole.   
     
     
         11 . The ski pole basket of  claim 10 , wherein the animal track comprises a human print. 
     
     
         12 . The ski pole basket of  claim 11 , wherein the human print comprises a human hand print. 
     
     
         13 . The ski pole basket of  claim 10 , wherein the animal track comprises a mule deer hoof print. 
     
     
         14 . The ski pole basket of  claim 10 , wherein the animal track comprises a bobcat paw print. 
     
     
         15 . The ski pole basket of  claim 10 , wherein the animal track comprises a mountain lion paw print. 
     
     
         16 . The ski pole basket of  claim 10 , wherein the animal track comprises a goose footprint. 
     
     
         17 . The ski pole basket of  claim 10 , further comprising a surface having an outer profile of the animal footprint. 
     
     
         18 . The ski pole basket of  claim 17 , wherein the surface comprises a downward protrusion forming an internal footprint feature. 
     
     
         19 . The ski pole basket of  claim 18 , wherein the internal footprint feature comprises an animal paw print pad. 
     
     
         20 . The ski pole basket of  claim 10 , further comprising a collar.