Ski instruction and simulation device and methods of using same

A ski simulation and training device for a user, the user having a left foot and a right foot, the ski simulation and training device comprising:

• a base support assembly comprising a left base portion and a right base portion;
• a left foot support unit adapted to receive and support the user's left foot;
• and
• a right foot support unit adapted to receive and support the user's right foot;
• a position measuring unit;
• a computing device;
• and
• a video display;
• wherein:
• the left foot support unit is adapted to move independently of the right foot support unit;
• the left foot support unit is translatable relative to the left base portion in at least two directions about a left upper support surface of the left base portion so that the user can move their left foot in the at least two directions about the left upper support surface of the left base portion;
• the left foot support unit is rotatable relative to the left base portion so that the user can rotate their left foot in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction relative to the left base portion;
• the left foot support unit is tiltable so that the user can tilt their left foot in a leftward direction or in a rightward direction relative to a first plane that is perpendicular to the left upper support surface of the left base portion;
• the right foot support unit is translatable relative to the right base portion in at least two directions about a right upper support surface of the right base portion so that the user can move his or her right foot in the at least two directions about the right upper support surface of the right base portion;
• the right foot support unit is rotatable relative to the right base portion so that the user can rotate their right foot in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction relative to the right base portion;
• the right foot support unit is tiltable so that the user can tilt their foot in the leftward direction or in the rightward direction relative to a second plane that is perpendicular to the right upper support surface of the right base portion;
• the position measuring unit is adapted to, in an operable state, collect data that can be used by the computing device to determine at least the following:
• a distance that the user's left foot is spaced apart in a lateral direction from the user's right foot;
• a rotational orientation of the user's left foot;
• a tilt angle of the user's left foot relative to the first plane that is perpendicular to the left upper support surface of the left base portion;
• a rotational orientation of the user's right foot;
• a tilt angle of the user's right foot relative to the second plane that is perpendicular to the right upper support surface of the right base portion;
• and
• the computing device is adapted to determine at least the following using the data from the position measuring unit:
• the distance that the user's left foot is spaced apart in the lateral direction from the user's right foot, the rotational orientation and the tilt angle of the user's left foot, and the rotational orientation and the tilt angle of the user's right foot.