Warren Smith Partnership

We are thrilled to announce an innovative collaboration between Mountain Air and the renowned Warren Smith Ski Academy (WSSA) right here in Verbier. In this article, we will explore the exciting possibilities that this partnership brings and unveil the Ski Technique Lab, a special event scheduled for September 29th.

Mountain Air partners with the Warren Smith Ski Academy!

We are over the moon to announce the brand new partnership between Mountain Air and Verbier’s own progressive heavyweight of the ski instructing world, the Warren Smith Ski Academy (WSSA). We chatted with Warren Smith, founder of the WSSA, to get his view on what exciting benefits this partnership will bring for existing and future clients …

“There are loads of great parallels that already exist between the two companies. Firstly, Mountain Air works with a lot of the same fantastic brands that we do, whether it’s Helly Hanson, Volkl or Dalbello - us teaming up means that we can give clients the best value for money with these brands going forwards. The facilities such as pro level boot fitting on offer at Mountain Air will also be huge for our clients.

But the most important thing is how it helps us build a community of like-minded skiers looking to develop their technique and ability. Mountain Air will become the main hub for the WSSA. It’s where we will meet our clients before the day’s skiing and where will get together after a big day on the mountain to have a drink and chat through what we achieved. We’ll be running all of our video analysis sessions out of Mountain Air too so it will really be at the heart of our client experience.”

About the Warren Smith Ski Academy

Founded in Verbier at the turn of the millenium by Warren Smith, the WSSA flourished around the philosophy of combining exceptional ski technique with top level ski biomechanics and ski equipment precision. At a coaching level, it steers clear of the quickfire instructing approach, focussing instead on taking clients on a longer development journey and staying with them over a period of years.

The Academy looks at skier performance in areas of mogul skiing, piste performance skiing, steep slope skiing and freerride terrain, and they are constantly developing new drills and exercises to push their clients’ level. A lot of emphasis is also put on off-snow training, where they have mapped out biomechanical tests and analyses in 6 core areas to pinpoint weaknesses and build strength during the off season.

A passionate group of skiers make up the Academy, with their instructors continually looking to better their own technique whether when freeskiing together or in the Ski Technique Labs off the snow. This drive really filters down to the client as they follow their own ethos and philosophies.

There are several group Academy Courses you can sign up to with the WSSA, each of which caters to different styles and levels and all of which will absolutely benefit your skiing technique. Full details on the courses can be found HERE.

Private lessons are also readily available and are a fantastic way to accelerate your skiing and learning process and really focus on areas of your skiing that need attention. Full details on how to book these and what you can expect from a session can be found HERE.

Finally, the WSSA offers Instructor Courses which aim to develop students both as teachers and as people, and guarantees you will acquire lifelong skills on and off the mountain. Full details on the courses can be found HERE.

Ski Technique Lab

To mark the official launch of the partnership between Mountain Air and the Warren Smith Ski Academy, Warren and his team will be hosting the first Ski Technique Lab in person in the Mountain Air shop and live online on 29th September at 6.30pm.

This hour long, interactive session will give a fantastic overview of the 6 biomechanic tests the WSSA recommends to help you understand how your body moves, where your weaknesses are and what you can do to strengthen them ahead of the ski season. These 6 areas are ankle flex range, skier symmetry, leg steering range, dynamic flexion & extension, improve leg lean and core stability. We are excited to say that each of these ares will be covered in detail in more in depth articles and through in person/online sessions hosted at Mountain Air over the coming months.

The Ski Technique Lab offers the perfect “prehab” for skiing and is aimed at skiers of all levels and interests. Its rewards are there for everyone to reap, from ski instructors looking to build up strength before the winter to older generations aiming to ensure they are skiing as biomechanically safely as possible, from those who prefer to ski without an instructor looking for some home exercises to the WSSA’s existing clients who want to continue to develop their skiing technique.

All those lucky enough to make it to the Lab in the Mountain Air shop will be able to get some hands on analysis with Warren and the team, whilst those watching online can benefit from their demonstrations from the comfort of your own home!

Both Mountain Air and the WSSA are incredibly excited by our new partnership and the benefits it will have for our growing community of clients here in Verbier. If you have any queries at all about the Ski Technique Lab, the WSSA or Mountain Air info in general, please do not hesitate to come and see us in the shop or contact us via phone +41 (0) 27 775 44 03 or email shop@mountainairverbier.com