On the heels of one of its most successful competitive seasons, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association has revealed its lineup for 2013.

The moguls, aerials, slopestyle and halfpipe national teams won a total of 42 FIS World Cup medals and 13 podiums at Association of Freesking Professionals platinum events in 2012. The CFSA plans to build on that success in the lead-up to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games with a team comprised of a powerhouse mix of veteran and rookie athletes.

“ ‘Youth, depth and exceptional talent’ is how I’d characterize next season’s roster. We have legitimate podium potential in every discipline,” said High-Performance Program Director David Mirota, who attributed the team’s success to the program’s deep roots.

“What we’re seeing is the result of an incredibly strong history of freestyle skiing in Canada, where great athletes come back as great coaches and keep the evolution going, it’s a cycling effect.”

In its 2015 strategic plan, the CFSA has set a goal of winning six Olympic medals in Sochi from among the 55 athletes named to the team. The selection process for those Games begins in the 2013 competitive season.

The majority of the athletes on the team, like Alex Bilodeau, who won Canada’s first gold medal on home soil at the 2010 Games, are returning veterans, but there are a host of young up-and-comers who will join their more experienced peers in a bid to represent Canada in Sochi.

Some to watch include 16-year-old Andi Naude of Okanagan Falls. B.C.. who took this year’s NorAm moguls grand prix; and, 19-year-old Alex Bellemare from St. Boniface, Que., who earned a silver medal at the U.S. Grand Prix World Cup event in Mammoth this season in slopestyle.

Ski slopestyle along with ski halfpipe are two of the latest additions to the Olympic program and they will make their debuts in Sochi.

“Slopestyle is where we’re seeing the most new faces emerge right now,” said Mirota. “Next year’s slopestyle team is a veritable teen invasion, with more than half of them under 20. It’s really exciting to see so much young talent coming up and great that they will be able to mix with more experienced and successful athletes like Kaya Turski and JF Houle,” he added.

Canadian Slopestyle coach JF Cusson agreed and added, “Every year this sport evolves so much, the younger generation has less fear and less injuries so they’re able to adapt and change their style fast to follow the progression.”

Mirota expressed his appreciation to Sport Canada and the Own the Podium program for its significant support.

— CFSA

Canadian national freestyle teams, 2012-13 season

Moguls
A Team
Alexandre Bilodeau (Rosemere, Que.)
Mikael Kingsbury (Deux Montagnes, Que.)
Phil Marquis (Quebec City, Que.)
Marc-Antoine Gagnon (Terrebonne, Que.)

Justine Dufour-Lapointe (Montreal, Que.)
Audrey Robichaud (Quebec City, Que.)
Chloé Dufour-Lapointe (Montreal, Que.)
Kristi Richards (Summerland, B.C.)

B Team    
Cédric Rochon (St. Sauveur, Que.)
Eddie Hicks (Langley, B.C.)
Simon Pouliot-Cavanagh (Quebec City, Que.)
Pascal-Olivier Gagné (Montreal, Que.)

Chelsea Henitiuk (Spruce Grove, Alta)
Maxime Dufour-Lapointe (Montreal, Que.)
Andi Naude (Okanagan Falls, B.C.)

C Team   
Simon Lemieux (Repentigny, Que.)
Hugo Blanchette (Ile d’Orleans, Que.)
Luke Ulsifer (Calgary, Alta)
Kerrian Chunlaud (Quebec City, Que.)

Béatrice Bilodeau (Montreal, Que.)
Christel Hamel (St. Sauveur, Que.)
Kiera Leung (Coquitlam, B.C.)
Myriam Leclerc (Beaconsfield, Que.)

Halfpipe
A Team
Noah Bowman (Calgary, Alta)
Mike Riddle (Sherwood Park, Alta)
Justin Dorey (Vernon, B.C.)

Rosalind Groenewoud (Calgary, Alta)

B Team
Matt Margetts (Penticton, B.C.
Simon D’Artois (Whistler, B.C.)

Megan Gunning (Calgary, Alta)
Keltie Hansen (Calgary, Alta)
Dania Assaly (Edmonton, Alta)

Slopestyle
A Team
Alex Bellemare (St. Boniface, Que.)
Jean-Francois Houle (Drummondville, Que.)

Kaya Turski (Montreal, Que.)
Dara Howell (Huntsville, Ont.)

B Team
Alexi Godbout (Mt. Tremblant, Que.)
Alex Beaulieu-Marchand (Quebec City, Que.)
Charles Gagnier (Victoriaville, Que.)
Jamieson Irvine (Barrie, Ont.)
Noah Morrison (Vernon, B.C.)
Vincent Gagnier (Victoriaville, Que.)
TJ Schiller (Vernon, B.C.)

Kim Lamarre (Lac Beauport, Que.)
Yuki Tsubota (Pemberton, B.C.)

Aerials
A Team
Warren Shouldice (Calgary, Alta)
Olivier Rochon (Gatineau, Que.)
Travis Gerrits (Milton, Ont.)
J-C André (Montreal, Que.

B Team
Rémi Bélanger (Mascouche, Que.)
Jon Vellner (Red Deer, Alta)

Sabrina Guérin (Laval, Que.)
Veronika Bauer (Toronto, Ont.)

C Team
Marc-Antoine Labbé-Giguère (Quebec City, Que)
Dave Blais (Lac Beauport, Que.)

The squad of 19 men and 10 women features three new additions and nine racers who have recorded World Cup or world championship podiums – including reigning world downhill champion Erik Guay, who has 17 top-three World Cup results.

Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Que., headlines a strong men’s team that features several big names returning from injury and is hoping to add to an impressive streak of world championship podiums at the 2013 event in Schladming, Austria. Canada has claimed medals in three straight world championship men’s downhill events, including back-to-back golds for John Kucera, of Calgary, Alta., and Guay in 2009 and 2011, respectively.

Meanwhile, Erin Mielzynski, of Guelph, Ont. – who last season became the first Canadian to win a World Cup slalom race since 1971 – and fellow podium newcomer Marie-Michèle Gagnon, of Lac-Etchemin, Que., are part of a youthful women’s team that is hoping to build on a breakthrough year.

“It’s the start of three very important years for us with world championships, the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games and then the 2015 world championships,” said Paul Kristofic, Alpine Canada’s vice-president of sports. “The goal is come into the season with a healthy team, a full complement of podium-potential racers, and to try to defend our streak of world championship podiums. We’re very much looking forward to that challenge.”

Calgary’s Jan Hudec – the top-performing Canadian alpine racer on the World Cup circuit in 2011-12 – is part of a strong speed squad that includes Guay, Kucera, downhill sensation Ben Thomsen, of Invermere, B.C., returning star and three-time World Cup winner Manuel Osborne-Paradis, of Vancouver, B.C., plus Robbie Dixon, of Whistler, B.C., who came agonizingly close to his first podium with a fourth-place finish in super-G in Beaver Creek, USA, in 2011.

Michael Janyk, of Whistler, B.C., Julien Cousineau, of Lachute, Que., and Calgary duo Brad Spence and Trevor White lead an experienced slalom team, while Jean-Philippe Roy, of Sainte-Flavie, Que., returns as the team’s giant slalom specialist. Overall Nor-Am champion Erik Read, of Calgary, is one of several talented youngsters on the men’s squad, which also includes national team newcomers Trevor Philp, 20, of Calgary – a student at the University of Denver who is a former member of the Raymond James Alberta Ski Team – and Whistler’s Conrad Pridy, of the B.C. Ski Team. Pridy, 23, is the older brother of fellow national team member Morgan Pridy, 21.

“Trevor (Philp) was a named prospect athlete and he showed he’s an amazing talent,” Kristofic said of the 2012 Canadian slalom champion. “We are working with him to balance school in the U.S. and starting to race in the World Cup. Conrad is a great story of an athlete who fought his way from invitee status to full-time status. For him, building consistency will be the key.”

Philp is looking forward to completing the step up to the national team after making his World Cup debut in Adelboden, Switzerland, in January.

“I’m very excited,” said Philp, who is currently wrapping up his school year in Denver. “The plan is to come to Calgary in June and start working out. I’m very pleased to be joining the Canadian team.”

On the women’s side, veteran speed stars Kelly VanderBeek, of Kitchener, Ont., and Larisa Yurkiw, of Owen Sound, Ont., will continue their comeback from long-term injuries. Newcomer Elli Terwiel, of Heffley Creek, B.C., a student at the University of Vermont, made six World Cup starts last season and was crowned the overall ladies’ Nor-Am Cup slalom champion.

“We have two new podium athletes on the women’s side so it’s important to keep the momentum going,” Kristofic said of Mielzynski and Gagnon. “For them, as well as Ben Thomsen on the men’s side, it’s the first time they are going into major events as podium contenders. It’s great timing to have a big event like the world championships this year so they can learn to deal with that kind of pressure before Sochi 2014.”

The 2012-13 FIS World Cup season is due to get under way in Sölden, Austria, at the end of October. The 2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are due to be in held in Schladming from Feb. 4-17, 2013.

— Alpine Canada

The 26-year-old from Berthierville, Que., is hoping to carve out a new career as a member of the Canadian ski cross team – the reigning Nations Cup champions – following a successful seven-year stint as a national team skier specializing in downhill, super-G and super combined.

“It’s a big change but everyone is supporting me,” said Hélie, who will begin the transition to ski cross at prospect training group sessions that will be held on- and off-snow throughout the summer.

“I did a few ski cross races when I was maybe 13 or 14 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que., and I really loved it. I really like racing when guys are around you – it makes you push yourself to the max. Passing people and taking chances – ski cross is really exciting.”

Hélie, a former Quebec Ski Team racer, has been a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team since 2005. A former water-skier, he realized his dream of competing in the Olympics when he finished 30th in super combined at the Vancouver Games in 2010. He suffered serious injuries in a crash in Bormio, Italy, in December 2010, but made a return to the World Cup circuit last season, bringing his alpine career to a close by winning the downhill title at the U.S. national championships in Aspen, USA, in February.

“Coming back was a big deal,” Hélie said. “It was tough for me to regain my confidence in downhills but I had some really good training and I really showed myself that I could do it. I overcame not so much the fear, but the lack of confidence I had. I was really happy with that – at least I ended the year like that.”

Hélie first considered making the switch four years ago when he took part in a ski cross event in Mont-Tremblant, Que. Somewhat ironically, Hélie competed alongside his good buddy and current ski cross star Brady Leman, of Calgary, Alta., who was then also an alpine skier. Leman made a successful transition to ski cross and, after battling back from several long-term injuries, he finished the 2011-12 season ranked second in the world, narrowly missing out on the men’s ski cross Crystal Globe.

“We both loved it,” Hélie said of trying ski cross alongside Leman. “I decided to do one more year with the alpine team, which was one of my best years ever. I had an amazing year, winning the overall Nor-Am title. The next year was the Olympics.”

Although competing in Vancouver-Whistler was the highlight of his years as an alpine racer, a career-best result in the World Cup downhill in Val Gardena, Italy, in December 2010 was also very special.

“My 13th-place result in Val-Gardena was really, really amazing,” Hélie said. “Starting so far back (56th) with no expectations and then to ski like I really can . . . I remember crossing the line and seeing the No. 1 and a number next to it and being so happy I was under 20th – and then under 15. That was really amazing and really exciting.”

Dave Ellis, director of sport for ski cross, said he’s looking forward to seeing what Hélie can do as a member of the team’s prospect training group.

“We are excited that Louis is interested in pursuing ski cross,” Ellis said. “Given his history as a World Cup skier with a strong technical background, we think he has the tools needed to adapt quickly to ski cross and hopefully to compete at a high level.”

Paul Kristofic, vice-president of sport for Alpine Canada and previously head coach of the men’s alpine team, praised Hélie’s work ethic and determination.

“Louis has been a great teammate and athlete with the alpine team, bringing values of hard work and dedication to his career,” Kristofic said. “We have no doubt that he will excel through this transition to ski cross and remain part of the Alpine Canada family.”

Hélie is planning to spend his summer training alongside Leman at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park. The first Nakiska Ski Cross World Cup event is due to kick off the 2012-13 World Cup season from Dec. 6-8.

“Everything about it is exciting for me,” Hélie said of making the switch to ski cross. “It seems like everyone’s excited to have me on board. I can’t wait!”

— Alpine Canada

Tourism Whistler congratulates the many local businesses who have been recognized for outstanding achievements throughout the tourism industry.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) was honoured by Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia (ATBC), presented with the organization’s Cultural Centres and Attractions Award, during the recent ATBC industry awards at the Nk’Mip Resort in Osoyoos, B.C.

A number of Tourism Whistler business members have also been recognized by newspapers, magazines and online publications.

Most recently, the Vancouver Magazine awards recognized Araxi Restaurant + Bar (gold), the Bearfoot Bistro(silver), Aura (bronze) and Sidecut (honourable mention) as the best Whistler restaurants.

Recognized as the best Whistler restaurants in the Georgia Straight’s Readers’ Choice awards are Araxi Restaurant + Bar (first place), the Bearfoot Bistro (second) and the Rim Rock Café (third).

Outside Magazine’s Wander List Travel Awards recognized Vancouver/ Whistler as the “Best Weekend Escape” while 10Best.com 2012 recognized Whistler Blackcomb as one of the 10 best ski resorts.

Travel and Leisure magazine honoured the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the Four Seasons Resort Whistler in the World’s Best Hotels category while the Four Seasons Resort Whistler also received the Triple A Five Diamond Award for the fourth consecutive year.

Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice awards were recently bestowed upon the Sundial Boutique Hotel (2)  Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre (12), Nita Lake Lodge (13) and the Four Seasons Resort Whistler (15), as among the top 25 hotels in Canada.

Recognized as the top Canadian hotels for family in the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice 2012 awards were: Sundial Boutique Hotel (8), Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre (11) and Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside(13); while the Four Seasons Resort Whistler (6) was recognized as one of the top 25 luxury hotels in Canada.

The Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, Four Seasons Resort Whistler and Fairmont Chateau Whistler all made the Conde Nast Traveller Gold List for 2012 while the Four Seasons Resort Whistler and Pan Pacific Village Centre also made the Platinum Circle (winners which have made the Gold List for five consecutive years).

“Congratulations to the local restaurants and hotels that have been recognized,” said Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler’s President & CEO. “The outstanding reputation of these businesses helps to contribute to the resort’s international success,” she said. “Kudos to these businesses and everyone who continues to strive to offer the best possible experience for our guests.”

Whistler-based travel consultants at whistler.com can also customize a vacation experience, taking care of flights, transportation, accommodation and activities. Call 1.800.WHISTLER (1.800.944.7853) to request a no-obligation quote or visit whistler.com for more details and offers.

— Tourism Whistler

“We are both honoured and humbled to be recognized for our environmental stewardship,” says Arthur DeJong, Whistler Blackcomb’s mountain planning and environmental resource manager. “Whistler Blackcomb staff live, work, and play in the mountains and being immersed in nature every day inspires us to do our part for a more sustainable future. Environmental stewardship is part of our corporate culture and it is our hope that guests who visit Whistler Blackcomb will be inspired by our actions and perhaps decide to incorporate more sustainable practices into their own lives.”

Recognizing that climate change is one of the greatest threats to the environmental health of the planet, Whistler Blackcomb is committed to one day achieving a zero operating footprint and believes in an “Every Step Counts” philosophy. Whistler Blackcomb has been committed to reducing its impact on the planet since the early 90’s and has employed an in-house environmental management team since 1997. The team has spearheaded the development of a company-wide Sustainability Policy which outlines Whistler Blackcomb’s key areas of focus, including energy conservation, waste management, and guest and staff awareness and education.

The top ten environmental achievements that have led to Whistler Blackcomb being named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2012 include:

1. The Fitzsimmons Creek Run-of-River Project: Launched in December 2009, the Fitzsimmons Creek Run-of-River Project is located in the middle of the Whistler Blackcomb ski area underneath the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. It is a hydro-powered renewable energy plant, created in partnership with Innergex Renewable Energy and Ledcor Power Group, producing 33 gigawatt hours of hydro electricity every year. The Run-of-River project returns to the grid the equivalent of the annual power consumption of Whistler Blackcomb’s entire ski area including lifts, mountain restaurants, and snowmaking.

2. Five Per Cent Annual Energy Reduction Target: Whistler Blackcomb is focused on seeking out clean technologies, fuels and renewable energy sources to meet the company’s energy demands. The company has an annual target of five per cent energy reduction including electricity, natural gas and fuel for vehicles. To date, Whistler Blackcomb has;
• changed out more than 11,000 light bulbs to more energy efficient models;
• developed a structured program to conserve energy from snowmaking which is estimated to save over 800,000 kWh per year, and;
• installed several hybrid heating projects in various Whistler Blackcomb buildings that have saved more than 700 tonnes of emissions annually.

In 2011, Whistler Blackcomb surpassed its five per cent energy reduction target and actually saw nearly nine per cent reduction in the company’s overall electrical consumption.

In the past year, Whistler Blackcomb has carried out energy reduction projects in partnership with BC Hydro that save 1.5 million kWh or four per cent of the company’s overall energy consumption annually. Whistler Blackcomb is also in the process of implementing a number of new energy conservation projects that are estimated to save the company an additional 1.5 million kWh over the next year.

3. The BC Hydro Workplace Conservation Awareness Pilot Project: Whistler Blackcomb is one of five companies in its sector engaging in BC Hydro’s Workplace Conservation Awareness Pilot Project. The pilot program is focused on energy conservation through improved awareness and behavioural change. Whistler Blackcomb has a cross-sectional team of 15 staff members from all divisions of the company focused on improving awareness and making conservation part of the organizational culture.
Whistler Blackcomb also has an Energy Management Assessment Team consisting of members of the Whistler Blackcomb Senior Leadership Team and Managers and Supervisors from key divisions of the company. The team creates a yearly energy conservation plan by determining five key areas of focus around energy and reports the company’s progress to BC Hydro quarterly.

4. The Whistler Blackcomb Carpool Program: The Whistler Blackcomb staff carpooling program provides transportation for approximately 50 people in five company vehicles every day. The initiative saves 64,155 km of vehicle travel, 86,768 litres of gasoline, and 208,245 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

5. The White Bike Program: In the summer of 2011 Whistler Blackcomb launched the White Bike Program. The white bikes were introduced by Whistler Blackcomb’s environmental team to enable smooth, efficient travel of employees between the company’s various buildings in and around the base areas. The bikes are signed out from each building, and signed in at the next building, enabling staff to get around Whistler quickly for meetings, etc.

6. Waste Reduction: Whistler Blackcomb has established a protocol in on-mountain restaurants where staff are responsible for sorting all garbage. Whistler Blackcomb recycles over 30 different types of products, including organic packaging and food waste. In 2009, Whistler Blackcomb reduced its waste by over 42 per cent through large-scale composting initiatives and has continued to improve upon that number ever since. Whistler Blackcomb has also worked towards a zero waste goal through a number of employee-led initiatives, such as the decision to no-longer print the 100 page Employee Handbook and instead make the content available online. Whistler Blackcomb estimates this initiative saves more than 400,000 sheets of paper annually.

7. Eco-Tourism Focused Products: Whistler Blackcomb offers a number of eco-tourism focused products to guests including: Bear Viewing and Ecology Tours; an elaborate alpine trail system with over 50km of trails in Whistler Blackcomb’s unique alpine environment; and a number of eco-friendly clothing options such as organic cotton, bamboo casual wear and recycled fleece are available in Whistler Blackcomb retail locations.

8. The Symphony Express Chairlift Project: The Symphony Express chairlift is a high-speed lift that opened to the public in December 2006. Whistler Blackcomb placed habitat protection at the centre of the Symphony Project, which involved expanding terrain into an alpine area known as the Piccolo Peak/Symphony Basin. A project team consisting of a ski area planner, lift engineer, biologist, black bear researcher, and professional forester worked on a sustainable design to accommodate a lift with a 2,400-person per hour capacity, without altering the natural wildlife and fish ecosystems. The team developed a minimalist design that kept wildlife habitat intact and ultimately reduced the project’s footprint from an estimated 40 per cent to less than five per cent.

9. The Habitat Improvement Team (HIT): The Whistler Blackcomb Habitat Improvement Team is a community-based, grassroots environmental group comprised mainly of Whistler Blackcomb staff whose mission is to protect, restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the Whistler area. HIT was established in 1997 and is led by Whistler Blackcomb’s Mountain Planning and Environmental Resource Manager, Arthur DeJong.

10. The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Environmental Fund (WBFEF): The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Environmental Fund is dedicated to providing financial support through fundraising to registered non-profit organizations whose actions show benefit to the natural environment in the Sea to Sky Corridor. The Environmental Fund provides support by way of monetary grants annually which are raised through staff donations and matched by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. To date, the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Environmental Fund has provided over $285,000.00 in sponsorship of 62 projects.

The Canada’s Greenest Employers competition is now in its fifth year and is organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers project in partnership with Mediacorp Canada Inc. The award recognizes employers with environmental programs and policies that actively involve their employees and incorporate environmental values into their corporate culture. The award also recognizes employers who attract employees to their organization (and retain them) because of these values. Whistler Blackcomb would like to congratulate all its fellow nominees.

Every year, The Globe and Mail newspaper publishes a national report on the nation’s most environmentally conscious employers in celebration of Earth Day.

When Canadian ski racing star Manny Osborne-Paradis’ 2010 season turned from amazing (four World Cup podiums including two wins) to disappointing (17th in the Olympic downhill on his home hill at Whistler Mountain), he decided, in an effort to regain his form, that it was time to add a new piece of equipment to his arsenal.

So shortly after the Canadian National Championships ended, he jumped in his car and headed to Calgary to buy, of all things, a new mouthguard. Of course this wasn’t just any drugstore mouthguard worn by hockey and lacrosse players to prevent concussions and chipped teeth, Osborne-Paradis was after a customized “performance mouthguard,” a $2,000 device that manufacturers claim pushes the bottom jaw slightly forward, offering better balance, more stamina, greater strength.

He’d watched American Bode Miller wear one made by Nova Scotian company  Makkar en route to three medals at Whistler, including gold in the super-combined, and that convinced Osborne-Paradis, who’s generally dubious of voodoo technology. “I’ve never bought into the idea that those magnetic bracelets or pendants actually have any effect on your performance,” says Osborne-Paradis. “But Bode spoke very highly of these things. And since this is our livelihood, anything that can be a positive influence on my skiing was worth trying.”

So far, the investment seems to be paying off. After training in New Zealand while wearing his new mouthguard, Osborne-Paradis says his skiing is “more aggressive” and his chronically tight back “feels looser.” He adds that the device makes it “easier to breathe in my tuck and easier to stand on my outside ski. And my balance is great — I just feel a lot more solid.”

The idea that adjusting a person’s jaw position allows the body to function better isn’t a new concept. In the 1970s, Texas dentist Aelred Fonder discovered that by manipulating his patients’ bites, using acrylics and metals to build up certain teeth, he was able to cure them of everything from scoliosis to psoriasis. “As we bite, the forces generated are transmitted along the roots of the teeth and pass into the bones of the skull,” says Dr. David Lerner, a New York-based dentist who has done extensive research into the way jaw alignment affects overall health. “If the jaw is properly balanced, the forces directed into the skull are dissipated in a healthy way. If the jaw is unbalanced, it can put pressure on nerves that effect reflexes throughout the body. I’ve had patients who couldn’t walk because of muscle issues. We fixed their bite and they could walk again.”

The problem, says Dr. Anil Makkar, the dentist responsible for inventing the Pure Power Mouthguard that’s worn by both Miller and Osborne-Paradis, is that 90 percent of the population has a misaligned bite, “an overbite that causes the head to be slightly ahead of the spine.” This affliction, he says, “doubles the strain on our neck and shoulder muscles, and that can cause everything from headaches to bad hips.”

By sliding the jaw forward, Makkar says the “muscles in the face relax, which allows the neck to roll back a little bit and align with the spine. That causes your shoulders to become square, creating better posture, which creates a stronger position and causes your rib cage to open up, allowing more air into your lungs.” Further, he explains that balance is improved by releasing pressure from nerves in the jaw that effect equilibrium.

But these results don’t come easy. To fit the mouthguard, Makkar and any of the 450 other dentists specially trained to work on the PPM attach wires to the patient’s face that radiate pulses of electricity from a nine-volt battery into the temporomandibular joints, the main hinges of the jaw. “It flexes the muscles in your face for a few seconds,” explains Osborne-Paradis, “then allows them to relax for a few seconds.”

“Forty-five minutes of this,” says Makkar, “causes all the muscles in the face to become very relaxed.” At this point, the patient is outfitted with elaborate headgear that’s connected to a computer. The information sent from the contraption to the computer allows the dentist to find the patient’s perfect alignment. Finally, a silicone mold is cast, which is then sent to a lab where the mouthguard is made.

A 2008 Rutgers University study backs up Makkar’s assertions that his mouthguard works. Researchers concluded that wearing the device “appears to enhance power output and performance in explosive, short duration bouts of exercise.” Good news for any skier pounding down a minute-long run through crud and over moguls, which is why Osborne-Paradis believes the device can help anyone ski better. “I’d 100 percent recommend them to a recreational skier, especially older people who are tight in the hips or tight in the back,” he says. “You hit a mogul the wrong way and this can make you looser and help you recover. At the end of the day it’s all about confidence, and if wearing a mouthguard inspires greater confidence, it’s worth it.”

— Gordy Megroz

Before you seek out the latest and greatest in ski technology, pay attention to what will help you enjoy those fantastic skis — your ski boots. Your ski boots are what connect you to the performance of the skis and eventually give you feel for the snow. Without a great-fitting set of boots, all that science and engineering in the skis is potentially wasted. Even worse, you might end up like a lot of skiers — with cold and uncomfortable feet.

To get that connected-to-the-snow feeling as well as comfort and warmth, here are 4 key components to  consider these four crucial boot-fitting components:

1. FLEX: Choose the right flex for your size, strength and skiing ability. Look for numbers on the side of your boots, in the range of 85-150. That number indicates the stiffness of the boot — the higher the number, the stiffer the flex. With no set standard, a 120 flex in a Salomon boot might feel softer or stiffer than a 120 in a Head boot, but across all brands, the lower this number is, the softer the boot will be. Only you can answer what flex pattern is right for you. It depends on your ability level and the type of skiing you enjoy — cruising the groomers, bashing the bumps, spinning in the park, exploring the back bowls. Generally speaking, the bigger, stronger and more advanced you are, the stiffer the boot you will need.

2. SHELL FIT: How does the boot fit you without the liner in it? I prefer a performance fit so when I slide my foot into my shell there isn’t much space. A good rule to follow is how many fingers you can fit behind your heel with your toes gently brushing the end of the toe box. One finger, or slightly less, for a snug performance fit, and up to two fingers for a comfort fit. With more than two fingers, you risk the chance of the boot being too big and sloppy, which will rob you of performance. On the other hand, too tight (less than one finger) will lead to cold, cramped feet.

3. FOOTBED: To help keep your foot in a position that’s comfortable and biomechanically strong, you need a custom-made footbed. This is probably the best investment you can make for performance and happy feet that last all day. See a professional, such as an orthotics specialist, as every foot is different. Some attributes of a well-made footbed are:
a. Fit: The footbed should be trimmed so  it doesn’t take up extra space around your toes, which could feel bulky in your boot.
b. Arch support: The feeling should be firm under your arch but not too much pressure. A little give will let your foot move naturally, but if it’s like a solid block, you’re asking for foot cramps.
c. Natural feel: When you stand on the footbed, it should feel like it supports your foot in its natural position. You don’t want it to feel like it’s rolling your foot to the inside or outside.

4. ALIGNMENT: The last thing to check once you’re all set with the right flex, a good shell fit and a custom footbed is the alignment. Most boots have adjustment screws on the ankles. It might say something like “canting” These screws allow you to align the cuff of the boot to the angles of your lower legs. This is important, because you want the boot to respond right away when you make a move. This also contributes to your ability to get edge grip when you need it.

Following these four simple tips will help you get better performance, more comfort and warmth from your ski boots, all of which lead to a much more enjoyable day on the slopes. A professional bootfitter can guide you in this process, so head down to your local ski shop and meet your new best friend.

— Josh Foster

Josh Foster is the director of snowsports for Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, B.C., and is a regular contributor to S-Magazine. Josh can also be seen on Ski Television during the winter months.

Setting up a mobile office for on-snow productivity requires some experience, and you’ll need to assemble a few gadgets to give the perception that you’re in the office. Here’s a few items you’ll need:

Protective cases: Otterbox (otterbox.com): Phones jump out of pockets. Period. It’s a well-known fact that if a phone can escape, it will. Protect it when it happens.

Hand’s free: Apple In-Ear (Apple.com): Throw away those awkward earphones that come with your Android device. Manufacturers are putting in-line microphones in everything. Extra style points for rigging the mic into your helmet audio system.

Gloves: Swany (swanyamerica.com): When a call comes in, you need to answer fast. Your gloves can make or break response time. What if an important call comes in while pounding out of the back bowl? This glove will help you avoid dreaded pocket dial.

— Dustin Titus

By Gordie Bowles ♦ Photo by Skarsgard Photography

I put this boot to the ultimate test by packing no other footwear on a recent trip to Big White Resort. If it performed poorly, I’d be an unhappy camper with no options.

I tested the boot in multiple situations and for long periods of time in or on the snow. At one point I was outside for five hours straight in minus-12 degree Celsius weather. That evening I put the boot back on for an indoor social environment (translation: the Pub).

The Verdict
Although categorized as a trail boot by Columbia, this super lightweight and surprisingly warm boot performed very well in all winter conditions. With the feel of a tall running shoe with even more comfort, the Hoodster withstood my toughest tests. The softshell upper features Columbia’s “outdry,” essentially a waterproof and breathable membrane with a protective leather overlay. My foot was protected and warm at all times.

Big thumbs-up from me on this boot.

MSRP: $160
www.Columbia.com