In November, our engineers traveled to Quebec City, Canada for the installation of two treadmill SkiMachines. Beyond the technical work, they also experienced Canadian hospitality and did some ski runs with the Préski team and enjoyed a classic Canadian ice hockey match. With the completion of this installation, Préski has proudly become Quebec’s first indoor skiing center in Canada, located at the Fleur de Lys shopping center. Now, ski enthusiasts can enjoy skiing in Canada all year round!
Meet the Préski Team
Préski’s coach team is composed of two of the co-owners, Head Coach Simon, and Coach Anne-Sophie. Simon, with over 15 years of coaching experience, oversees service quality, simulator development, and athlete training. His passion for alpine skiing has taken him to countries like Austria, Australia, and the United States. Anne-Sophie, an alpine ski instructor for over a decade, brings her experience from the Eastern Ocean region. Her adaptable teaching style caters to all ages and skill levels, and she’s known for her precise and gentle touch on the snow, making skiing seem as easy as a walk.
From Beginners to Professionals: Training at Préski
While ski simulators are popular in Europe, they are a relatively new concept in Canada. Still, indoor skiing offers some unique benefits when compared to traditional skiing:
- Precision: Ski simulators are highly accurate and provide immediate feedback, helping skiers identify and correct flaws in their technique.
- Expertise: Préski coaches possess unparalleled knowledge in physiotherapy, ski biomechanics, and kinesiology,and will provide valuable tips to shape your technique.
- Repetition: Unlike on the mountains, where time can be lost to lifts and breaks, ski simulators enable up to 1000 turns in a 30-minute session, allowing for consistent practice and improvement.
- Technique: The controlled environment allows athletes to focus on their movements, with real-time feedback provided via mirrors.
- Learn Safely: With supervision from a dedicated ski coach, the speed and incline of the slope are adjusted to match your skill level. You can also use a learning bar for added stability. While the coach ensures your safety, you can focus entirely on improving your skiing technique.
- Comfortable Environment: Say goodbye to spending hours in the cold just to ski. At Préski, you can develop your skills in a warm, comfortable setting, 365 days a year!
- Physical Endurance: Each ski session includes necessary break times for optimal progress. Imagine making turns continuously for 10 minutes on a track – this is exactly what is being offered at Préski. Not only will you refine your technique, but you’ll also get a great physical workout!
- Quality Instruction: All ski sessions are led by passionate and highly qualified coaches. With years of experience and advanced certifications, the team is dedicated to providing top-quality instruction and guidance.
Lesson offerings
Ski lessons at Préski begin with a focus on safety and building confidence. The first hour is divided into 10-minute blocks, alternating between skiing and breaks for recovery and reflection. The initial sessions cover adaptation, introduction to parallel skiing using the learning bar, and development of parallel skiing techniques. Repeated sessions help skiers develop efficient patterns and refine their skills, focusing on proper posture, positioning, and balance. The learning bar helps beginners focus on lower body movements, while more experienced skiers benefit from an adjustment period to acclimate to the ski simulator’s unique environment.
Préski offers both public and private sessions. Public sessions accommodate up to three skiers simultaneously, while private sessions provide a more personalized experience with a coach guiding the session. Their coaches are dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and educational environment, using games and challenges to enhance learning. Tools like balloons, cones, and even a projector for visual aids help make training engaging and effective. Besides their regular program, Préski offers specialized training camps and Power Weekends to competition skiers, offering intensive sessions to boost performance and prepare for the upcoming ski season. These programs include technical training and physical conditioning, ensuring that athletes stay in peak form.
What can be improved when training on the simulator
Training on a SkiMachine enhances several key aspects of skiing:
- Outside Ski: Emphasizing the importance of supporting oneself on the outside ski and transferring weight early in the turn.
- General Skills: Exercises mimic mountain conditions, focusing on balance and alignment.
- Symmetry: The stable environment allows skiers to address and improve weaker turns.
- Edging: The simulators encourage carving, requiring precise use of ankles and knees.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, Préski in Quebec offers an innovative and exciting way to improve your skills year-round. Come experience the thrill of indoor skiing in Canada and take your abilities to new heights!
SkiMachine has been and still is a wonderful partner in our adventure! Hans, Michiel and all the team have been more than great to us! The machines work extremely well and the service is unmatched.
Contact SkiMachine
With 100+ endless ski slopes installed worldwide, numerous positive reactions from clients, and over 25 years of experience, SkiMachine has created wealth and know-how in manufacturing the highest quality indoor simulators in the industry. We are happy to provide you with professional input at any time!