comments
Dear Bert,
Thank you very much for the opportunity to experience and evaluate the Skimetric program last week. Having previously discussed some of the background principles with you, Skimetric was even more instructive and valuable than I had anticipated. Although the cost may at first appear a little pricey, there is no doubt in my mind that the Skimetric program can achieve much more than the equivalent in private lessons. The fundamental concept of Skimetric is to make appropriate boot and ski adjustments to accommodate an individual’s biomechanics and thereby set up the skier for a naturally balanced stance. This is then combined with some modifications in posture using feedback from video analysis. I was amazed just how much more balance I had in the middle of my turns and how much extra bite and power I could get out of my skis. For those skiers (like myself) who have had some knee surgery, Skimetric is clearly able to demonstrate how one subconsciously makes adjustments that don’t necessarily help one’s skiing or one’s knee. By using a combination of shims and supports in my boot, I was able to get back to a much stronger stance that I was able to maintain throughout my previously weaker turn to the right. This stance also took load of the affected part of my knee. I suspect that many my skiing patients would gain similar benefit from Skimetric. I think that Skimetric is the ideal next step for a whole range of skiers, but particularly those who have been skiing for a while with no real improvement despite lots of runs and numerous lessons. To those skiers I say, “Do yourself a favour and give Skimetric a go! ”Thanks again and I look forward to catching up in a few weeks to solidify my new stance.
With kind regards,
Associate Professor Julian Feller Orthopaedic Surgeon The Epworth Centre, Richmond VIC 3121
Many thanks Bert, it has been the outmost pleasure meeting and skiing with you.Tracy, Melbourne.
“What Bert doesn’t know about skiing could be written on the back of a postage stamp. I have had a lot of lessons from a lot of instructors, Bert is a whole other level again. He accelerated my skiing dramatically in just a very short period of time.”
Brendan Nichols, International Speaker and Author
22/08/08 Feedback on the Skimetric Program at Mount Hotham, Victoria Australia
I have skied at Mount Hotham for the past 30 years, ski patrolled for two years back in the early 1980s, spent many winters in the northern hemisphere and believe I fall into the category of ‘advanced’ skier. I have had substantial difficulties finding a boot setup which is high performance, comfortable and compatible with my small foot size and narrow ankle/calf. I ski all terrain from in bounds groomed runs to extreme areas and have no hesitations hiking to find fresh powder.Recently I decided that it was time to purchase new boots given I am about to spend a season at Red Mountain in British Columbia, Canada and given that there are very few boot and biometric technicians in that part of the world, decided to try the Skimetric Program to be 100% sure that the boot I purchased not only fitted correctly but was engineered to cater for the differences between each foot. In the past I have simply tried a boot on in the store, checked the shell size, walked around for up to an hour to ensure a degree of comfort and fit then passed over the credit card. I have never been given the opportunity to have my balance and style carefully analysed on the snow, foot measured carefully, offered comprehensive testing of my balance for each leg and total expert analysis of what I needed to place me in the correct position to improve my overall skiing ability.Bert, the Skimetric Director, and Michael, the boot fitter, spent four hours with me on and off the snow to ensure the boot I purchased was right for me in every respect. The result was quite amazing. Over the past few weeks I have skied hard pack, hiked all day out the back of Mount Hotham on a powder day and traversed constantly to access extreme areas and my boots have performed beyond my expectations. I have no pressure points, no unnecessary foot movement horizontally or vertically and I have been placed in a more positive ski position which has transferred to improved performance and enjoyment. I am now working on improving my carving and overall skiing ability without having to constantly adjust my boots or deal with foot discomfort. I would highly recommend the Skimetric Program to skiers who are strong intermediates or higher. People who understand how a ski works and want the best out of each day on the snow should consider this program.
Barb Britten Snow ski enthusiast SandyPoint, Australia
25 08 08 Dear Bert, Nice to catch up with at Hotham after so many years. This note is to let you know how pleased I am with your ‘’ SKIMETRIC” treatment. My boots fit perfectly with no Pressure points and are correctly aligned with the Skis .I am now skiing as well as ever, even though I have one ‘crook’ knee (osteoarthritis) and one metal knee. Incidentally young Claas whom you gave a little lecture to about skiing to fast and out of control actually took notice! He went and practiced what you told him and made quite an improvement. I had told him a few times he was skiing too fast but he took no notice: But, he does listen to the expert! So, again thank you for your help. Look after yourself and hope to see you in the near future.
Yours, Dr Rick Harbig, Toorak VIC 3142
04.09 08 Hi Bert As you probably gathered I was a bit of reluctant participant in your program initially. Getting the wrong information from the snow sports office didn’t help. My husband paid for the program otherwise there’s no way I would have turned up. All I’ve ever wanted was to be a good skier; I’ve tried lessons and found I did better getting hints from friends. I’ve tried the Masters racing program for a season - little if any value and last year I tried a private lesson with a level 3 instructor and derived little if any value - ie no discernable change. My friends have always raved about carve skis and how effortless they are - I’ve never found that. In one session with you I’ve had more improvement than I’ve had in any other designated coaching/instructor session in skiing. Honestly when I saw 2 carved lines in the snow done by ME! When I wasn’t even trying to do it, I could’ve cried. That’s something I’ve tried and tried and tried to do. I’ve done many thousands of repetitions in those old boots so my new boot set up feels profoundly wrong, I feel very awkward on skis but the video and the feedback from the skis is very clear - the change is quite remarkable and something I’m very grateful for. I know with the new boot set up it will take a while for me to retrain my movement patterns and loose my bad habits caused by compensating. I’m so excited by the changes, I can hardly wait to get on skis tomorrow and build on all your good work. I’m very glad my husband encouraged my participation in your program, I apologise profusely for my initial coldness and am now a strong convert to “skimetric”. It was an absolute pleasure to work with such a professional and I appreciated Mark’s enthusiasm and expertise. You form a very impressive team!
Many thanks to you both Leanne Bright Victoria
Hi Bert, I have a target in mind with my skiing that is really only achievable with guidance from someone such as yourself. I have another week up at Falls in two weeks and I am going to work really hard to maintain a strong open position. The skiing has been fantastic this year so I can’t wait to get back on the hill. Your knowledge of skiing technique and technology is unique and I really value what you have told me. It was great to catch up and thanks for your patience and assistance. I will get in touch earlier next year to see what your program is and look at getting onto a straighter ski.
Regards David Ellis Captain
13 09 08 Dear Bert, Thank you so much for adjusting my boots, can’t believe how effortless skiing has become.
Everything’s fine here in Niseko and we’re enjoying consistent powder everyday.
I’ve been working on my skiing as much as possible and I can tell the balance on my outside ski of my left hand turns is improving. Slowly getting rid of those bad habits!
Thanks again for putting me on the right tracks.I am Happy to share my great experience with skimetric with anyone curious and interested.
Enjoy the winter!I wish you a successful year and all the best in 2009.
Sincerely, Nathalie Quedraogo, Private ski instructor, Mt.Hotham Australia-Niseko Japan
25 01 09 Hi Bert, both Karen and I were very happy with the results we achieved from skimetric, I was reviewing some video footage from the last 2 years and the difference in both our skiing is amazing, we are both skiing steeper and faster but with much more balance and control, but one of telling results from skimetric is the reduction in leg fatigue, due to our more balanced stance over the centre of the skis not only are we much more in control but we no longer suffer from that thigh fatigue and can now ski longer, harder with much more control making every day in the snow more enjoyable.Hope you having a great stay in Austria, Karen I look forward to seeing you at Hotham this winter.
Best regards, Josh and Karen, Melbourne, Australia
Hi Bert !Many thanks again for the patience and effort you spent on giving me the best support on the piste i ever experienced ! Some of my impressions from the skimetric course:
- no pain any longer whilest skiing; Bert managed to provide me new boots fitting perfectly and this was not an easy job since my feet are quite unique/strange/unequal/asymmetrical…- best and friendliest service in St.Anton including a ski lesson i will always remember
- customer service provided in a way, which i unfortunately miss many times in the skiing branch; staying with Bert really means: customer = king- some words in german (sorry for that!): Bei Bert fühlt man(n) sich in guten Händen… I even could point out a lot of additional positive issues here, but i think i already mentioned the most important ones.You (as the customer) need to experience the outstanding ones on your own; have fun and enjoy this kind of service, which is very valuable (= fair price).
Best regards, Knut Noltemeier Mainz Germany
18 07 09 Bert, I just wanted to thank you on behalf of Deb. Every time we have been skiing she has had problems with her feet, soreness and pins and needles. Making skiing not as enjoyable as it should be. After having you use the Skimetric process to review her boot fitting and physical alignment you came up with a solution that allowed her to ski, pain free, for the first time. I can recommend the Skimetric system to all skiers particularly skiers who have feet problems. Once again thanks for the Skimetrics system.
Rick Payne, Adelaide, South Australia
Hi Bert! Back home and missing the snow! I said I’d send a testimonial and here it is:
“If ski boots are painful, then beautiful days on the slopes are cut short. I had been told by my physio that the pain of my interdigital neuroma was best fixed by taking painkillers while skiing, but now that I’ve had my wonderful foot bed custom made by Skimetric I’ve found I can ski at least half a day without any pain. This is my second foot bed and it is by far the best at supporting my feet and getting the best out of my boots, giving me more power to ski!”I just wish I had more time to test them out and put into practice your wonderful advice…. I hope I can remember it for next time!I hope you will be able to send me the video clips when you (or your computer guy!) have the opportunity
All the best Bert, and enjoy the snow! Regards, Katrina Perth Western Australia
Hi Bert, I would like to express how much of a pleasure that it was to work in with you last week. The boots feel unbelievably great, and im really looking forward to getting on the gas as you say! Also, the technical advise that you gave was just simply ON IT! At this stage of my skiing life i feel as if i have quantum leaped to a level that i have been longing for for years. I visualize my German salute, counter rotation and let the new groove take over every day. I’m counting down the days until i’m next back on snow to dance the new motion and go go go!Hope to catch up in September.
With many thanks, Martin Rowley Ex Australian Skiteam Competitor
26 07 09 Hi Bert, Thank you for your time last week. I greatly appreciated it. Jeff was blown away with the result you were able to achieve with him. Plus Marty’s set up look so much better, I am sure he’ll be a lot quicker.
I have been magazine ski testing for the past 18 years. In that time I have skied everything and this Skimetric Black Series ski is at least twice as good as anything I have ever skied. I was simply blown away and quite speechless from the grip, performce, turn initiation and ease of use. It took me two turns to know I had finally found the ski for me. My dream ski. Do yourself a favour and try them out and I guarantee you’ll be blown away too. Normally I like to understate and have the products over deliver and I am sure even with what I have said here, this ski will do everything you ever imagined and even more. My only question was when can I get a pair?
Peter Stone International Ski Tester and Ski Writer. www.peak-performance-coaching.com.au
Regards, Peter Stone, Speaker, Writer & Performance Coach
Hi Bert,
Just wanted to drop you a line as i have been meaning to for some time now to check in. I have managed to have some good snow time in Buller & Thredbo since last speaking despite the average snow conditions. My enthusiasm level has taken a quantum leap since the majic that you performed on my equipment and new awareness to technique.
Thankyou once again for an incredible experience. Both of us have skied for many years, Mal for 32 years and I for 28 years. Before having our alignment done by you, Mal was suffering everyday with foot pain, despite changing ski boots every so often to get a better result, which never came. Being a volunteer ski patroller at Mt Hotham for 27 of his 32 years, Mal had dealt with the pain and at the end of the day’s work had to relieve his feet by massage and then go again the next day. Your mind is not on your feet when you are helping others in distress on the slopes, so the end of the day was when it all hit home. Without realising it, Mal was compensating for this by stressing other parts of his body, therefore not skiing in a flowing balance as you should.Since Bert created new foot beds and re-aligned Mal’s frame through the Skimetric system, he skis PAIN FREE ! His skiing has improved within days of skiing in his new BALANCED stance, and his enjoyment level has risen beyond his expectations.
As for myself, I was skiing knocked kneed for years, trying to compensate for my feet being totally rolled inward within my ski boots.
I had foot beds each time I had a new pair of ski books, but to no avail. Eventually needing surgery on my left knee from stress trying to ski balanced. Having skied for so long, and wanting to continue with it for many more, I was determined to improve.
Since Bert created my new foot beds, and re-aligned my whole frame, I now ski in a much more balanced stance, making my skiing EVEN EASIER than ever before! No stress to my knees anymore, and my confidence level has risen enormously. Skiing in an upright balanced way, and letting the shaped skis do their work, has made skiing so much more enjoyable, and as you get older, people expect you to give skiing up, but not us, we are now enjoying pain free skiing – giving us both a new lease on life ! Thank you Bert, you are amazing.
Kind regards,
Carol and Mal Styles, Victoria.
Hi Bert,
A short note to thankyou for pioneering the Skimetric Program.
As we spoke about the desire to continually improve my skiing has been with me ever since my first day on ski’s, 35 odd years ago.
That desire has taken me across the globe, introduced me to some wonderful and amazing people, lead me to achieve my instructor qualifications in
More recently, and for the last 11 years, I have been competing in Masters racing and the desire to improve my skiing ability, to improve my race times, has been at the fore more than ever.
The passion for racing has lead me to several race camps and I was introduced the concept of skier alignment several years ago.
As you observed, with that knowledge, I was skeptical of the benefits of the Skimetirc program at first. It was only your passion and commitment to see my skiing improve that allowed me to go through the program. Once in the program your attention to detail throughout the process gave such confidence, but it was really the on-snow results that convinced me of the benefits of Skimetric.
I can now easily say that I am the most balanced I have ever been on ski’s. I can now ski easily on either ski, that is, I am that balanced I can ski on either my uphill ski, or downhill ski, my transitions between turns feel so much more solid, and my edge grip throughout the entire turn is like being on rails.
I am so much looking forward to exploiting my new found skills in the race course, and seeing my race times improve.
Once again thankyou for developing the SkimetricProgam, you are truly a ski industry pioneer. I will be recommending the Program to everyone that I know.
Thanks
Martin Van Hoek. Melbourne