Balance
Precise Balance, Peak Performance
The Art of Balancing
Every boot sale, foot-bed sale, or boot fitting begins with a bio mechanical evaluation. The ankle joint is the most vital joint to understand when doing this. What we examine is ankle joint dorsiflexion. Too much dorsiflexion and you will be over flexed, which means you do not have room to flex forward while you are skiing. Too little and you are skiing in the back seat. With proper heel or toe lifts and forward lean angles set, your stance will be balanced.
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Dorsiflexion
Let’s take a look at what’s going on inside these boots! The image on the right is an example of too much dorsiflexion (note the gap between the toes and the platform). When this foot is placed flat in the boot, the natural angle of the ankle joint will bring the leg (specifically the tibia) forward and then the skier will be always at the maximum flex the boot allows and there will not any room to actually flex the ankle! To allow room to flex the ankle in the boot, the heel needs to be positioned lower than the toes.
The image on the right demonstrates no dorsiflexion. Positioned flat in the boot this skier is going to be chronically in the back seat. The ankle cannot flex forward enough in the boot to achieve a balanced stance. This skier needs to have the heel lifted in the boot so the ankle can flex forwards properly. We establish the correct alignment through custom footbeds and other interior boot work.
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(802) 875-1122
YOU CAN FED-EX US YOUR BOOTS AND HAVE THEM BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
Shaft Alignment
Canting
Once the boot cuffs are adjusted properly, then a cant evaluation is performed. For the most efficient alignment for skiing, the knees should be slightly in (never bowed). To achieve this, the boot soles can be ground to the correct angle, Cantology Intraboot shims can be used on boots with replaceable toe and heels. However, we have found that certain models of boots work better for certain body types, and if you are willing to go the distance and get the correct boot/ski setup, then a cant adjustment is not necessary nine times out of ten!
GIVE US A CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION (802) 875-1122
YOU CAN FED-EX US YOUR BOOTS AND HAVE THEM BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
Our Customers Love Us
“Bill was great! He is clearly an expert at his craft. He quickly identified what my issues were, found me a pair of boots and made some custom inserts and accommodations. The performance on the hill was fantastic! I wish I had seen him years ago. Highest recommendation!”
“Majorly impressed with GMOL. Vastly superior in knowledge compared to other boot fitters I’ve been to. I need a huge amount of work to get in ski boots. Bill taught me things I never knew about my own feet. I plan on sending all my friends and family to GMOL.”
“Bill Haight is Green Mountain Orthotic Lab, and he’s the best!
Best ski boot fitting in the northeast — highly recommended — Top 15 bootfitter in the country per SKI Magazine!
Today we got me a new pair of boots with custom footbeds and canting and Mark got custom footbeds and canting on the boots he bought last season. Bill worked with us for several hours and we were able to go out and ski throughout the process so that we knew things were getting dialed in just right. Can’t say enough good things! Make an appointment!“
“Made an appointment in the fall for custom foot beds. After 20 days on snow so far I couldn’t be happier with Bill’s work, how its improved my skiing and the fit and comfort of my boots, and pushed me to the next level. I learned a lot about my feet, my skiing equipment needs, what will and what won’t work for me, and why my feet have been cold for the last two decades. You will learn things too. I’m an expert level skier but my boots have always been… off. Now they are not. Couldn’t recommend highly enough.”
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Green Mountain Orthotic Lab
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment Call: (802) 875-1122.
An appointment is required for all services.