We’ve all been there. Looking through our latest Powder magazine in search of the best skis, boots and fitness tips - anything that’ll improve the way we look and feel on the slopes. We skim articles looking for answers to the ultimate question - will it make me ski any better?
Last year, I realized this question went beyond just wanting to ski better. My buddies and I rallied for a week long trip to the world’s greatest powder skiing experience, Mike Wiegele’s Helicopter Skiing in British Columbia – I couldn’t wait to test my new gear in the pristine powder of the Cariboos and Monashees. On my first day skiing, the powder was certainly pristine and the steeps were more exhilarating than I imagined. However, I found there was more to epic skiing than just the latest gear. My legs were shot after a couple hours and I didn’t feel like I was in peak condition. Reality check! Hours in the hot tub and a handful of Ibuprofen didn’t take away my aches and pains. I thought I was in great shape but the mountains quickly showed me who was boss.
I decided I needed to change something. My skis and boots were the latest and greatest technology – so the only thing left to change was the skier himself. I needed a tune-up!
I was determined to come up with a training plan that was going to cure my aches and pains and make me a better skier. At Mike Wiegele’s there is a fleet of Skier’s Edge machines in their training facility. I asked my ski guide if he trained on them. He told me the biggest difference in his skiing came from training on the Skier’s Edge. He said it helped build his strength and stamina to ski all day long without fatigue. He also made huge improvements in his ability to ski any condition. He said, “Look, you can spend good money on the latest skis and boots but they alone don’t make you a great skier. What gets me down the mountain is technique and good conditioning, and that’s what the Skier’s Edge machine gives me.”
Everything he said seemed to make perfect sense. I do a lot of biking in the summer and until our trip to Mike Wiegele’s, I thought that was enough to keep me in shape. He told me that skiing uses very different muscles and it’s important to be sport-specific when you train.
So, I got a Skier’s Edge and started training on it. I was totally surprised by what a killer workout it was. My legs burned the same as when I skied. After working out on this machine a couple times a week, I couldn’t believe what a difference it made in my skiing! I was amazed how much my strength and stamina improved. My legs felt super strong and I could finally ski the entire day without major leg burn. Everything seemed to finally click. I stayed balanced, kept my body down the fall-line, and rolled effortlessly from edge to edge making beautiful turns – the same motion as the Skier’s Edge. Absolutely amazing!
This year we’re heading back to Mike Wiegele’s for another ski trip. I can’t wait to get back on the slopes and ski the powder and steeps like I’ve always dreamed. I’m excited to see how much improvement I’ve continued to make by training on the Skier’s Edge. I can honestly say that I’m skiing better now than I ever have in my life. When friends ask me what will make them a better skier, I can tell them I have the answer to the ultimate question – the Skier’s Edge and a trip to Mike Wiegele’s Helicopter Skiing.
