I ski most of the time with one Whippet. They're great for stopping slips, and even better as a backcountry climbing aid/multi-tool. If I skied lots of steep stuff, I'd probably ski with a pair of them. I only use one simply because it's easier to keep track of one pick instead of two in the event of a crash (that said, the picks do a remarkably good job of staying out of the way).
I actually think it's more comfortable to use than my normal poles for summer trips, and they're greatly superior to normal poles when hiking in scrambly terrain. Want to use your hands to negotiate an obstacle? Just reach up and perch the pick on something. The pick is plenty strong enough for occasional torquing in cracks, opening up a range of secure handholds.
As a tool, they're a pole that won't skitter away, a fishing hook, a nose scratcher, a tool for passing things across a stream, a bomber screwdriver/scraper, etc.
The pick guards are a good idea, though I no longer carry it. I've made solid pick placements with the guard on in the past in softer snow - the elastic is stretchy enough that the guard can come off on the first placement, making the second stab full strength.
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