By Vicki Abbott Bancroft
SnowChronicles Correspondent

Ah, the carved turn.

It has its own sound and its own signature in the snow. Crisp and clean...long and lean, but a look from the chairlift will tell you the hard truth. The carved turn continues to elude many.

With the shaped ski revolution, more skiers have come closer to carving their turns but still too many tails wash out. So many skiers seem just on the cusp of getting it if only they could spring out of the turn in time.

Ah, the powerful turns of a slalom racer. When fractions of a second can mean the difference between winning and losing, racers strive to perfect every turn.

Enter the Booster Strap by SkiMetrix…a seemingly simple elastic strap that replaces the top boot strap. An easy adjustment is all that’s needed to switch your boot’s Velcro strap to the Booster but could it really be that easy? Could something so straightforward really effect a change in a skier’s ability to carve turns and a racer’s time?

Developed by Ray Fougere, an engineer and ski coach, the Booster strap provides a low tech solution to enhance a skier’s performance both recreationally and competitively.

The Booster strap consists of four materials: elastic, webbing, Velcro and a metal buckle.

When placed on your ski boot in place of the traditional Velcro power strap, the Booster strap adds stiffness to the boot and bonds the boot to the leg elastically. The result is an improved communication between the skier through the boot to the ski. The boot performs better without having to over tighten buckles which can reduce circulation and lead to cold feet. The ski performs better as it is directed by a better fitting boot.

The result? Using the Booster strap improves skiing by encouraging rebound out of a turn and thereby lessening the tendency many skiers have to wash out their tails at the end of their turn. The modern skis are designed to carve on edge and using the Booster strap helps skiers use this technology to carve their turns more effectively.

Free riders add the Booster strap as shock absorbers to reduce shin bang. Nordica Ski Boots has licensed the strap for their Beast line of free ride boots.

Supplier to the U.S. Ski Team, SkiMetrix has found a huge supporter in top world competitor Bode Miller, who states, “Having no power strap is better than the Velcro power strap supplied with boots. And the Booster strap is so better than no power strap.”

If your boots are too loose, you will feel less control of your skis. Less ability to pressurize the front of your boot leads to less response from your ski. Until the Booster strap, many skiers locked down their boot buckles to gain the added control in spite of the added discomfort of boots that are too tight. With the Booster strap in place, skiers can have more control in their boots and can transfer this to their skis for improved performance.

Recreational skiers find their boots are more comfortable while their skis respond better.

“I finally feel like I am carving my turns with less effort after so many years of trying. I wish I had the Booster strap twenty years ago,” states a long time skier.

Racers remain loyal to the Booster strap claiming it helps with turn initiation and powerful finishes.

Free Riders experience less shin bang when landing and that leads to more days of pain free skiing.

Because the Booster strap can benefit a wide variety of skiers, it is available in four categories based on weight and ability.

The new Kids Booster for kids over 70 pounds is cut shorter to fit a kid’s smaller ankles. This model is excellent for kids in race programs or for free skiing kids improving their technique.

The standard/intermediate model is for skiers in the weight range of 150-220 pounds who rate their skiing abilities within the intermediate range. Skiers in this category may not be as consistent with their carving as they think they are. Using the Booster strap should help these skiers’ performance on today’s shaped skis.

The expert/race Booster is designed with an extra layer of elastic webbing to meet the increased weight (over 220 pounds) and aggressive style of an expert skier.

The World Cup Booster contains three layers of elastic webbing with a stiffening shunt to meet the demands of very aggressive skiers and racers.

All models of the Booster strap retail for under $40.00 and come with an unconditional guarantee.

Whether you are looking to revitalize a tired ski boot or improve your performance in a new boot, consider the Booster strap as a small investment that will yield much bigger results.

Vicki Abbott Bancroft is an award-winning ski journalist based in Massachusetts.