In skiing the skier-flex pole impact causes a deflection and rotation of the flex pole and a speed loss of the skier. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of skier and pole parameters on time loss, pole deflection, and pole damage speed caused by the skier-pole impact in slalom. Validated finite element models were used for the simulation of the impact. Skier mass, speed and impact height and pole mass, bending stiffness, diameter, and wall thickness were analyzed. Time loss was assessed for seven pole impacts by a simple simulation model of a skier schussing down an inclined plane. From the skier parameters, impact height followed by impact speed showed the highest effect on the skier-pole impulse. The impulse increased with increasing pole mass whereas the effect of bending stiffness was negligible. Time loss could be reduced by lowering the pole mass. However, lowering of pole diameter or wall thickness increased pole deflection enhancing injury risk due to the whiplash effect. Additionally, the reduction of wall thickness decreased pole damage speed with the disadvantage of higher risk of pole fractures. Overall, lowering pole mass for the current impact speeds in World Cup slalom races requires additional investigation. In children and youth races with lower impact speeds than in World Cup races, a pole mass reduction would be possible.