A significant, often neglected, often necessary missing component to transform your skiing from "Good to Great" is skier alignment!

What is Alignment and why do skiers need to be aligned?

Skier alignment is a process by which we analyze your individual anatomical alignment; make adjustments / modifications / recommendations to optimize your anatomical alignment/biomechanical position on skis. Our goal is to create better balance and the most optimal position from which your body can apply the fundamental movements. None of us is built with perfect anatomical alignment…. some are "knocked-kneed," some "bowlegged," some have high arches, others have low arches. These anatomical differences can significantly affect our ability to ski and affect our ability to balance while skiing. For example: A "knocked-kneed" skier will have difficulty "getting off or releasing" their big toe edges as a result of their anatomy, not technique or performance issues. Ever notice what happens to your car if your front end is out of alignment? Your car will pull in the direction of the misalignment and your tires will wear differently, right? When our body's anatomical alignment is not optimal, the skier will have more difficulty balancing, resulting in compensatory movements and inefficient use of our muscles to perform the desired task or movement. Ultimately, non-ideal alignment can lead to unnecessary muscle and joint stress and strain.

We can't change your anatomical alignment, but skiing is one of the few sports where we can adjust/modify your equipment to improve/compliment your anatomical alignment. Achieving optimal alignment on skis will, in the end, improve your ability to balance, increase muscle efficiency, and optimally position your body for performance of the necessary fundamental movements that will improve your skiing.

Don't get caught "flat-footed," let The Ski Wizard and On The Edge Skier Services assist you in achieving optimal alignment, so you will have all the components in place, to transform your skiing from "Good to Great!"

Optimal skier alignment is comprised of 2 integrated components, Indoor Alignment and On Snow Alignment:

1. Indoor Alignment Assessment: Consists of a detailed biomechanical evaluation of the foot, ankle, lower leg, and knee tracking. Evaluation of current footbeds and/or recommendations for footbeds. Knee tracking in ski boots. Discussion on the integration of the skier's anatomy with his or her equipment.

2. "On the Snow" Alignment Assessment: Consists of assessing the skier's ability to perform specific tasks in a dynamic environment while observing the influence their equipment is having on their anatomy. From this information recommendations are made for the need for canting their skis to provide optimal alignment and ultimately the optimal position from which the skier can balance. Both lateral and fore/aft recommendations may be made.