There's something interesting in the wind....
Over the past 3 skis seasons I've been playing with my stance in my boots and discoverd FOR ME, they had me to far forward with too much pressure against the tongue of the boot. For a 1min 30sec run down the mountain carving turns this was fine. But as I took on more varied terrain and conditions and with modifications, I found a more center balanced, neutral and upright stance in the boot was very rewarding. This position allowed me to work the ski tip to tail with quiet, even pressure and feel way more in balance and really could utilize the entire length of the ski.
As I started to read the ski mags on the stands today, I noticed that more boot manufacturers are not only stating their boot has an upright stance, they are actually posting their adjustability like 11-18 degrees....some like Dodge and Dalbelo give you the ability to easily change it. My Raptors at purchase were 17 degrees as posted on the Head web site...today after modifications, they are at 11....I'm loving the control I have over the skis. What I have found that is extremely important that the rider be able to STILL pressure the shovel so it is critical that the flex of the boot by proper so that the the skier can still apply pressure forward for turn initiation off the shovel when required. A most definite reward is when you are centered and stacked evenly balanced fore and aft in your boots when skiing powder, crud, bumps, and trees where skiing more off the center of the ski with softer forward pressure come into play.
It would seem there's is a new movement to offer more upright boots and the option for the driver to be able to modify their boot.....now THIS is progress!
Gary