Ski pole holder

Abstract

A ski pole holder is provided. The ski pole holder is positioned toward a toe side of a ski footwear, to secure a portion of the ski pole within a channel of the ski pole holder. The ski pole holder includes a housing with the channel that extends towards the skier. When the skier is riding a ski lift, the ski pole is received within the housing to retain the ski pole. Fasteners within the channel secure the ski pole to the ski pole holder. The housing also includes a front sidewall and guides to help ensure that the tip of the ski pole is easily positioned within the channel. A lateral sidewall includes an open slot to provide for removal of snow that accumulates within the channel. The ski pole holder is attachable to the upper side of the ski footwear or is permanently integrated.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A ski pole holder, comprising:
 a housing comprising a base and a channel, wherein the base is configured to couple to a top side of a ski footwear;   wherein the channel is configured to receive a distal end of a ski pole, the channel having an open first end and a second end;   wherein a fastener is disposed at least partially in the housing and configured to semi-permanently secure the ski pole within the housing; and   wherein the second end of the channel terminates at a floor, wherein the fastener is disposed at and/or in the floor.   
     
     
         2 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises one or more sidewalls extending from the base, wherein the one or more sidewalls comprise a front sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The ski pole holder of  claim 2 , wherein the front sidewall forms an opening to the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The ski pole holder of  claim 3 , wherein the front sidewall is abutted by a pair of guides, wherein the guides are raised from the front sidewall to guide the distal end of the ski pole to the opening to the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The ski pole holder of  claim 4 , wherein the pair of guides extend around the opening of the front sidewall and the channel forming a catch configured to guide the ski pole into the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The ski pole holder of  claim 5 , wherein the pair of guides and the catch form a coextensive face that is raised relative to the front sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is positioned within the floor and coaxially aligned with the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a magnet. 
     
     
         9 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the channel extends at an acute angle from the base toward the front sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be secured to a toe side of the ski footwear such that the channel is angled towards a medial portion of the ski footwear forming an acute angle with the ski footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The ski pole holder of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more sidewalls comprise a pair of lateral sidewalls, wherein the pair of lateral sidewalls comprise open slots that extend into the channel. 
     
     
         12 . The ski pole holder of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more sidewalls comprise a rear sidewall disposed between the pair of lateral sidewalls, wherein the rear sidewall is rounded. 
     
     
         13 . The ski pole holder of  claim 12 , wherein the rear sidewall extends linearly from the channel to a rear end of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a tapered width extending between a rear end and a front end. 
     
     
         15 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises an adhesive that is configured for semi-permanent attachment to the ski footwear. 
     
     
         16 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the ski footwear is a ski. 
     
     
         17 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the ski footwear is a snowshoe. 
     
     
         18 . The ski pole holder of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is linear from the open first end to the floor. 
     
     
         19 . A ski pole holder integral with a ski footwear, comprising:
 a housing comprising a channel;   wherein the channel is configured to receive a distal end of a ski pole, the channel having an open first end and a second end;   the housing extending from a top side of the ski footwear; and   wherein a fastener is positioned toward the second end of the channel and configured to semi-permanently secure the ski pole within the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The ski pole holder integral with a ski footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the housing comprises one or more sidewalls, which comprise a front sidewall, wherein the front sidewall forms an opening to the channel;
 wherein the front sidewall is abutted by a pair of guides, wherein the guides are raised from the front sidewall to guide the distal end of the ski pole to the opening to the channel.