Boot Fitting with Snow + Rock
It is a well known fact by the Academy clients, that not only do you get your skiing technique analysed, but your ski equipment as well! It's not only the ski technique that's looked at closely, and the biomechanics of the skier, but the boot set up and fitting. There are several factors of the boot set up, the flex, the canting, the size, the width, height, fit etc, that can, if looked at by a professional, make a diference to your skiing. On the Academy a large percentage of new clients come along with poorly fitted boots.
The Academy have joined forces with Snow + Rock to create the ultimate ski boot fitting. With Warren's 15 years of experience of what works with his clients and what doesn't, his in depth knowledge of ski biomechanics and Snow + Rocks years of ski boot expertise, there was an obvious advantage. To bring this knowledge together could only make for a good end product.
In November 2007 the Academy team went along to Snow + Rock's Chertsey superstore where Andy Cuthill and his team were at hand to do an Academy boot fitting session, and in that time, Warren would talk to the Snow + Rock team about first hand experiences the Academy coaches had experienced with skiers from the UK. The Snow + Rock team then spoke in depth about the technicalities of the foot skeleton and the boot. The shared experiences were put to work on the Academy coaches boot fitting session.
It was a positive session with an extremely good fit completed that day for the team. It also enhanced the Academy's knowledge that would be passed on to their clients from Andy's training.
Too many people have the misconception that a boot should be stiff or almost painful in the fit. This would make the boot impossible to flex, which will inhibit the learning process. The ankle must be able to flex. On the other hand, some people come away with boots that are nice and roomy like slippers. However, they may have too much movement and will therefore not be able to hold the skeleton in the correct position.
The canting and footbeds must also be correct with your ski boots. If not it could leave you with an A-Frame in your skiing which could slow down the learning curve and prevent you from having a correct and symmetrical skiing position.
These are only a couple of examples of impairment caused by an incorrectly fitted ski boot. Both the Warren Smith Ski Academy and Snow + Rock would advise that you visit a professional boot fitter before going on a ski holiday, because this could vastly improve your ski experience. For boot fitting information please visit www.snowandrock.com. Good luck and enjoy the experience!
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