The Expeditions are ideal snowshoe poles. They are stout, they have good powder baskets, and they pack down to a very small size.
With heavy loads, backpacking poles are amazing. They massively help with balance, and they take a good deal of strain off your knees going downhill. The sturdy expedition poles are perfect for this terrain, though you may want to buy the summer baskets.
On steep boot packs, adjustable height is a really nice feature. It's also a great feature when your pint-size sister forgets her poles and needs to borrow your spares.
Scoping out lines with the Expedition 3.
Personally, I love trekking poles for mountaineering. They add a little extra balance, help on descents, and the Expedition 3 poles are easy to carry because they pack so small.
Ripping the gnar in Rogers Pass. These aren't the best ski poles, but they are good just the same.
The adjustment points.
Tightening the buckles is easy. You can actually use a knife to do it.
Size comparison with a Nalgene for reference.
One complaint I have is that the soft material of the pole absorbs water, and it gets wet when you plunge it into snow. I like to plunge for informal snowpack analysis, so this precludes the Expedition from being my go to ski touring pole.
Being used as a tension point for the MSR Mesh House 3.
The pole in shelter mode. Having an adjustable pole is really handy because you can fine-tune the height while it's set up.
Being used to create a stabilizer for mock broken leg. Durable enough to be used with a tarp for carrying a large 200-pound person.