With the weather finally turning, it’s time to start thinking about the ski and snowboard season ahead of us. From nearby destinations like Hunter Mountain and Jiminy Peak to hills farther afield, like Mount Snow, Killington and Stowe, there are so many great places for Long Island residents to enjoy winter sports. Now, winter sports are a great way to get outside and get active—but they can also be pretty intense on your feet. Want to improve your performance while keeping your feet comfortable on the slopes? Custom ski insoles or snowboard orthotics are the solution you need!
What are Ski Insoles? ![man on snowboard]()
Like custom orthotics, ski insoles are devices that go into your boots. Customized to fit your exact foot shape, they help optimize foot function to eliminate pain and help you ski with greater efficiency, allowing you to comfortably stay on the slopes for longer time periods. Now, some people wonder: why can’t I just put my custom shoe orthotics into my ski boots? Well, the answer is simple: we craft ski insoles and orthotics for snowboarders differently. Unlike orthotics made for typical shoes, we select different materials for custom ski and snowboard insoles—ones that can withstand the impact of your athletic activities, along with the added stress of freezing temperatures. Depending on your preference, we can also add EVA or polyethylene foams to your insoles for added shock absorption. We can also prioritize moisture-wicking properties in the materials we choose, to help keep your feet dry in your boots. In turn, we can reduce your risk for athlete’s foot infections following a day on the slopes.
We also craft these devices differently, using an intrinsic posting method that keeps them from getting too bulky and crowding your feet in your boots. We can even collect the original inserts that come with ski boots during your orthotics fitting. That way, we can submit them to the lab when we create your orthotics. This helps ensure that your new devices will optimally support your foot while fitting perfectly into your ski or snowboarding boot.
Why Do I Need a Custom Orthotic When Skiing or Snowboarding?
Even if you don’t wear custom orthotics in your day-to-day life, you may want to wear them when engaging in winter sports. Here’s the deal: when you’re on the slopes, cold weather, rough terrain and constant pressure can combine to take a major toll on your feet, leaving you in pain after just a few runs down the mountain. When you add an orthotic to your boot, however, you give your feet the extra support and stability they need to comfortably carry down the mountain for every run you take.
Custom Snowboard and Ski Insoles: Additional Benefits
Aside from keeping foot pain at bay, wearing custom orthotics in your ski or snowboarding boots can enhance your athletic performance. After all, especially here in the Northeast, the slopes can be icy or uneven. So, when you gain extra stability and support for your feet, you’ll navigate runs with greater ease—and with less fatigue, so you can stay on your skis or board until the chair lift shuts down for the day. Moreover, custom ski insoles work with your body’s own biomechanics, keeping your feet optimally aligned—this helps your body stay in a position for optimal efficiency, shaving time off your runs and helping you make the most of your day on the slopes.
Custom orthotics for skiers and snowboarders could even reduce your injury risk. When worn in your boots, they offer an added layer of shock absorption. And that helps cushion your feet—and the rest of your body, from the impact of downhill winter sports. In turn, you’ll be less likely to develop overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis as a result of your skiing or snowboarding season. Wearing these devices consistently throughout your ski or snowboarding season can also help prevent corns and calluses, blisters, shin splints and even neuromas, all of which could develop from the pressure winter sports places on your lower extremities.
Finding Your Perfect Athletic Insole
If you’re gearing up for the winter ski or snowboard season and you want to enhance your comfort and performance, we’re here to help. Contact our offices before you purchase your lift tickets, and we’ll help you get ready for injury free season on the slopes. When you come see Dr. Mark Gasparini or Dr. Novneet Chhabra, be sure to bring your boots to the appointment. From Medical Grade Insoles (MGIs) to custom ski insoles or orthotics for snowboarders, we’ll guide you to the optimal inserts to support your athletic season.