A description is given of a handle (1) for in particular (cross-country) ski sticks and Nordic walking sticks, having a hand-retaining device (17), such as a hand loop or glove, which can be fastened in a releasable manner to the stick handle (1) via a coupling element (12) secured on the hand-retaining device (17), the stick handle (1) having a top end (22) and a bottom end (23), on or in which a stick tube can be, and/or is, fastened. A particularly straightforward releasable fastening arrangement which is stable, of reliable design and can also be utilized at low temperatures and in the presence of snow is made available by a retaining element (4) being provided on and/or in the stick handle (1), this retaining element having at least two lateral grooves (19) which are open essentially in opposite directions and, at least in certain regions, run essentially from top to bottom in respect of the stick handle (1), and by the coupling element (12) having, for the purpose of fastening on the retaining element (4), two corresponding protrusions which engage laterally in these grooves (19).