Stefanie Fleckenstein is a resilient Canadian alpine World Cup racer, dedicated to making a powerful return to the World Cup circuit soon.
She had fought her way onto the World Cup stage, scoring her first points in downhill and proving that she belonged among the best. But on December 16, 2023, in Val d’Isère, everything changed in an instant.
A brutal crash at the finish line sent her world spiraling. The physical pain was overwhelming, but the mental toll was just as severe.
“I could not understand the pain. I think that until you are in that situation, you never really think you’re going to have a bad accident. I had never thought about it.”
She spent nights in the ICU, endured multiple surgeries, and faced the crushing uncertainty of not knowing if she would ever race again. But Stef is not one to back down from a challenge. Instead of dwelling on what she lost, she focused on what she could control—her recovery. And that’s where the SkyTechSport ski simulator became a game-changer.
Rehabilitation for skiers is tough, especially in winter when most workouts are confined to gym walls, far from the mountains. For Stef, who lives and breathes skiing, that was unbearable. She needed a way to get back into ski boots, to feel the rhythm of the turns, to move like a racer again—before she even set foot on snow.
That’s when she found Ski Cosmos, equipped with two SkyTechSport ski simulators that perfectly mimic real skiing movements. The instant she stepped on, everything fell into place.
“We got to a point where I called Ski Cosmos because I was getting close to being cleared to ski. They told me to come in now.”
At first, the goal was simple: stand in her boots, regain mobility, and just move. The machine allowed her to rebuild confidence in her legs, ankles, and knees in a safe, controlled environment.
“In the first few sessions, she was just having me feel out the machine, getting comfortable in my boots and moving my knees and ankles.”
The simulator became more than just a rehab tool—it was a lifeline back to the sport she loves.
Once Stef got comfortable, the real training began. Her Ski Cosmos coach, Gianna Benardi, turned on the screen to analyze Stef’s edge angles and knee alignment.
“Once she brought up the screen and I could see that I was able to be even on both sides, I felt like something just clicked. Every session since then has just been a huge step forward.”
Session after session, she pushed harder, building strength in the exact muscles she needed for racing. The SkyTechSport simulator allowed her to mimic the dynamic movements of skiing, refining her technique, working on precision, and—most importantly—feeling like an athlete again.
“The machine is training every muscle that I am clearly lacking from not skiing for this long, so I can feel the difference after each session.”
Unlike traditional rehab, which can feel monotonous, the simulator kept things exciting. One day, she would be cruising through virtual courses; the next, she would be grinding through intense interval workouts. Every session was another step closer to getting back on the mountain.
Coming back from an injury isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about overcoming fear. For athletes like Stef, the mental battle can be just as tough as the physical one.
“I think a lot of athletes, when they are coming back, all want to go skiing, but we are also a little bit scared.”
That fear didn’t stand a chance against the SkyTechSport simulator. By the time she was cleared to ski, she had already put in the work, trained her body, and visualized every turn. The first time she clicked into her skis again, she felt ready. No second-guessing. No hesitation.
“I honestly had no fear, and I knew that I had been using the Ski Simulator at Ski Cosmos for six weeks before it, so I just felt very comfortable in the boots and clicking into my skis again. All the little things that you don’t think about being challenging.”
The simulator wasn’t just a tool—it was her mental and physical bridge back to skiing.
Stef believes the SkyTechSport simulator isn’t just for rehab—it’s a must-have tool for any skier looking to improve. She highlights how it helps train ankle and knee movement, balance, and precision.
“It forces you to think about the very simple aspects of skiing.”
She hopes to see more simulators installed in ski hubs like Whistler, making it easier for athletes—whether injured or healthy—to benefit from this revolutionary training.
Despite people telling her that returning to racing might not be possible, Stef refuses to listen. Her goals are as ambitious as ever:
“My short-term goals are to get back to racing next season. Obviously, I want to come back to the World Cup next year, but honestly, any kind of racing will be amazing. If that’s the NorAm or Europa Cups or the World Cups, that’s the goal. Then, the long-term is getting back to full capacity.”
But the ultimate prize?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina.
That’s the fire driving her forward.
Stef’s journey proves that rehab doesn’t have to mean sitting on the sidelines. With the SkyTechSport simulator, she didn’t just recover—she rebuilt herself into a stronger, more prepared athlete. It gave her the confidence, strength, and technical edge to return to the sport she loves, against all odds.
If you’re a skier—whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking to sharpen your skills, or just want to stay ski-ready year-round—the SkyTechSport simulator is your secret weapon.
Stef’s comeback is just beginning, and with relentless determination and cutting-edge technology on her side, there’s no doubt—she’ll be back where she belongs.
Racing. Winning. Inspiring.
Inspired by Stef Fleckenstein’s comeback? Visit skytechsport.com to explore how SkyTechSport simulators are transforming injury recovery and elite training. View pricing, connect with an Account Manager, and take the first step towards bringing this powerful simulator to your training center. Help athletes get back on snow stronger than ever!
