Podiatrists working at or near a ski resort town...

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Hi there,

I am living and working in a ski resort town in New Zealand (Queenstown).

I am keen to explore for what is unknown territory for alot of Podiatrists - ski boot orthotics and management of foot injuries. We are taught how to diagnose and manage foot injuries on land but this area is a completely different 'kettle of fish'!

There are good boot fitters here in town that also fit insoles (supposed custom made). I am keen to play a role in helping skiiers feel more comfortable in their boots.

My 1st step has been to search the internet for info and am getting somewhere.

Are there any of our collegues out there who work at or around a mountain ski area and have experience in working with skiiers/snowboarders?

Any ideas on collegues I could contact internationally?

 

Gareth,

Attached article may be of interest.

IG

 

Hey Gareth

I started treating skiers in 1978. I originally came to NZ as a doc with the US Ski Team. At that time I had a practice in Squaw Valley (Lake Tahoe) California.

I still treat skiers, and still love skiing.

We should get together.

Cheers

Fred

 

Writing this from Snowbird UT, doing a little equipment testing.



Great to see this thread pop up again and I had a good time reading it for the 3rd or 4th time.



Gareth,

If I can offer any any help whatsoever please feel free to contact me at seanvill@yahoo.com.

I work for a major ski boot manufacturer, I train ski shop employees in boot fitting, but most importantly my vocation is my ad-vocation and I have spent a significant amount of my time tying together equipment, fitting, alignment and technique.

Best of luck to you!



Sean

 

Firstly, sorry to drag this thread from its dwindling ashes. However I'm very interested in the prospect of working with skiers and possibly specialising in the biomechanics of skiing, naturally, at a skiing resort. I'm just not sure how a second year Podiatry student, living in Manchester can endeavour to do so. I suppose work experience with a boot fitter, ridiculously sharp biomechanics and understanding of the forces acting on a skier as well as maybe a PhD in a relatable topic woud be a start! Any advice on how to get the ball rolling on this one, would be much appreciated...

 

Dear Tom

First off, learn to ski. And if you already know how, do more of it to get better, and then think exactly what you are doing biomechanically as you ski.

Not bad homework, eh?

And then bounce your ideas off someone, or here at the Arena.

Cheers

Fred

 

Hi, Tom
Give Hamish Wolfenden a call at Profeet in London www.profeet.co.uk he's been bootfitting for many a year (also strangly enough another Kiwi). He runs courses on boot fitting - he is a very sharp cookie.

 

Muchos thanks for the heads up. I will be sure to get in touch with him, any pearls of wisdom will be valuable. From the look of their website, a very professional outfit!
Tom

 

You may like to get in touch with Sidas at Voiron, France too as several of them are 'skiing pods' and they work with the French team etc.
I've found them very helpful over the years - website is - sidas.com
Do let us all know how you get on and any other links you find, please

 

I see the only problem with SIDAS is that it is just one more conformable, non corrective footbed. There have been so many of these over the years. They fill the spaces, and feel OK, but they are much less than you can do with some biomechanical knowledge and a functional orthotic.
Boot fitters too are primarily interested in getting the boot comfortable so they can sell it.

You can improve skiers technique. You can make them a better skier than they would otherwise be. This is in contrast to runners, where you primarily prevent overuse injuries, so they can train more and get faster. With skiers, you can make them faster and better.

Cheers

Frederick