Ok i think it's time for my own ski boots!
Am 17 now 18 in september and it's time to invest. I'm not interested in manufactures at the moment but more the question of where to buy.
I'm looking at buying next season so do i a) buy in the UK before holiday or b) buy whilst away at a resort. Don't know what resort yet but will be somewhere largeish so hopefully large range of shops.
Another question if i buy boots in resort is the a charge for transporting them back as i didn't have them leaving the UK but will do on the way back!
Hopefully that makes sense
Chris :D
Buying own ski boots
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isn't this usually esf lessons? :evil:
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Started by Swskier in Ski Chatter 18-Mar-2008 - 22 Replies
Swskier posted Mar-2008
Hirsty
reply to 'Buying own ski boots' posted Mar-2008
Buying boots is the best and most important thing you can do if you want to take your skiing to the next level.
You are correct brand isn't the important thing getting one that fits you and matches your style and level of skiing is the important thing.
I would probably say that getting your boots fitted at the resort by a good fitter would be best. That way you can test your boots and if there are any adjustments needed you can get it sorted out immediately.
Once you know which resort tell the people on the forum and I'm sure someone here will be able to reccomend a good fitter.
You are correct brand isn't the important thing getting one that fits you and matches your style and level of skiing is the important thing.
I would probably say that getting your boots fitted at the resort by a good fitter would be best. That way you can test your boots and if there are any adjustments needed you can get it sorted out immediately.
Once you know which resort tell the people on the forum and I'm sure someone here will be able to reccomend a good fitter.
He was a wise man who invented beer - Plato
Pavelski
reply to 'Buying own ski boots' posted Mar-2008
swskier.
May I add what Hirsty so well stated!
First what Hirsty mentionned about ' "the most important thing you can do to improve skiing,,is new boots" is so right! You are young and I am sure counting your money,,but do not sell yourself short by buying "less expensive boots" that may not help you!
First read a great deal about boots and pros and cons of types of boots! Know what flex index is! Know what volume feet you have NOT foot size! Know how much "foam" layer there is is the boots you buy! There is a direct correlation with foam layer thickness and "slipper" feeling, however as you get more performing boots,,,you want less foam due to compression layer effect!
Since you are thinking of fitting in resort remember the wave effect! What you do not know about this wave effect!!!!
It is perhaps the most import concept you must know in skiing!
In all skiing activities; be it traveling, eating, skiing, and yes ski boot buying ,,,you have the wave effect! Once you are aware of this effect you can use it to your advantage or it can just "swallow" you up!
Most skiers are like sheep! They gather together and move in formation in planes, restaurants, slopes, ski shops etc...
So if you are going to ski resort and want to buy boots there when the "wave of skiers" enters shop (15 minutes before lifts open) , you will not get good service!
The best strategy is to try all sorts of boots ( do not look at price) so that you will know what a good boot fits like! Then make reservation (yes reservation since great boot fitters are like physicians,,well perhaps even more important)! Have your fitting on a quiet "non-wave" period!
A typical fitting takes 1-2 hours!
Now back to this wave concept!
Ever notice that all skiers eat at 12! So smart skiers eat at 11:30!
Notice that most skiers ski in groups, like birds in flock to protect each other from the dreaded dangerous snowflakes, predator ice sharks, and giant leeks that hide in the moguls!
Observe this wave of humanity and ski between waves! You will have less bodies to watch!
Of course this applies to hotels! No one knows why and how ( some believe it is by scent, others by some biological clock) but like lemmings skiers appear at front desk all at same time! Confusion results!
Get to know the wave theory SWSKIER it will serve you much better in life than all the courses you took in biology!
PS. Wave theory is not taught to MBA students in reference to stock exchange behavior also!
May I add what Hirsty so well stated!
First what Hirsty mentionned about ' "the most important thing you can do to improve skiing,,is new boots" is so right! You are young and I am sure counting your money,,but do not sell yourself short by buying "less expensive boots" that may not help you!
First read a great deal about boots and pros and cons of types of boots! Know what flex index is! Know what volume feet you have NOT foot size! Know how much "foam" layer there is is the boots you buy! There is a direct correlation with foam layer thickness and "slipper" feeling, however as you get more performing boots,,,you want less foam due to compression layer effect!
Since you are thinking of fitting in resort remember the wave effect! What you do not know about this wave effect!!!!
It is perhaps the most import concept you must know in skiing!
In all skiing activities; be it traveling, eating, skiing, and yes ski boot buying ,,,you have the wave effect! Once you are aware of this effect you can use it to your advantage or it can just "swallow" you up!
Most skiers are like sheep! They gather together and move in formation in planes, restaurants, slopes, ski shops etc...
So if you are going to ski resort and want to buy boots there when the "wave of skiers" enters shop (15 minutes before lifts open) , you will not get good service!
The best strategy is to try all sorts of boots ( do not look at price) so that you will know what a good boot fits like! Then make reservation (yes reservation since great boot fitters are like physicians,,well perhaps even more important)! Have your fitting on a quiet "non-wave" period!
A typical fitting takes 1-2 hours!
Now back to this wave concept!
Ever notice that all skiers eat at 12! So smart skiers eat at 11:30!
Notice that most skiers ski in groups, like birds in flock to protect each other from the dreaded dangerous snowflakes, predator ice sharks, and giant leeks that hide in the moguls!
Observe this wave of humanity and ski between waves! You will have less bodies to watch!
Of course this applies to hotels! No one knows why and how ( some believe it is by scent, others by some biological clock) but like lemmings skiers appear at front desk all at same time! Confusion results!
Get to know the wave theory SWSKIER it will serve you much better in life than all the courses you took in biology!
PS. Wave theory is not taught to MBA students in reference to stock exchange behavior also!
Swskier
reply to 'Buying own ski boots' posted Mar-2008
Thanks for the replies guys!
I was also thinking the buying in resort option cos not only will service be better but i have noticed prices seem less!
Like both you guys have said price won't be the deciding factor but comfort and performance will be!
The thing as i said before is getting them home is there a fee that normally needs to be paid when bringing them home, like do they need to be booked on the place etc??
Chris
I was also thinking the buying in resort option cos not only will service be better but i have noticed prices seem less!
Like both you guys have said price won't be the deciding factor but comfort and performance will be!
The thing as i said before is getting them home is there a fee that normally needs to be paid when bringing them home, like do they need to be booked on the place etc??
Chris
Edited 1 time. Last update at 19-Mar-2008
Tino_11
reply to 'Buying own ski boots' posted Mar-2008
Haha, the wave theory is so true pavelski. I have also noticed the lunchtime ski/boarding behaviour, so I just ride through to about 2pm where I will take half an hour for lunch and a Glühwein. A couple of bars of chocolate in your pocket gets you through from breakfast. The relative P&Q between 12 and 2 is great.
I have noticed it also on lifts, six or seven chairs will go by without anyone on then there will be 5 full ones together...probably a result of the lemming behaviour on the slopes.
It is the same taking your board or skis to the shop for a service, or to buy something halfway through the holiday. 4.30 to 5.30 all the shops are jammed full, why not take a seat have a beer and wait for them all to leave rather than participating in the great "British" sport of queuing :)
I have noticed it also on lifts, six or seven chairs will go by without anyone on then there will be 5 full ones together...probably a result of the lemming behaviour on the slopes.
It is the same taking your board or skis to the shop for a service, or to buy something halfway through the holiday. 4.30 to 5.30 all the shops are jammed full, why not take a seat have a beer and wait for them all to leave rather than participating in the great "British" sport of queuing :)
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Tony_H
reply to 'Buying own ski boots' posted Mar-2008
On the theme of the wave, I have to say I usually lunch at 11.30 or around 1.30-2pm for those exact reasons. Its actually because the ski schools tend to lunch between 12 and 2, so its the best time to be on the slopes.
I also make sure I get there bang on fir first lift up whenever possible, as not so many people seem to want to be up so early. Avoid the 9am rush at all costs!
This business of queuing for lifts further up the mountain really annoys me. My attitude is get on the first available chair/gondola and get on with it. However, so many people seem to do this blocking the gates off whilst waiting for their friends. That really should be punishable with a fine in my opinion!
I have also seen, particularly in France I have to say, people simply not going on chairs/gondolas and waiting for others to join them in the queue, which simply causes congestion and bad tempers!
WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS????
As for the shopping, wait until 6pm (if the shops are still open of course) to go and find your boots or skis, or whatever you need. Its so true about people packing into the shops at peak times, so avoid at all costs!
Pavel is so right.
I also make sure I get there bang on fir first lift up whenever possible, as not so many people seem to want to be up so early. Avoid the 9am rush at all costs!
This business of queuing for lifts further up the mountain really annoys me. My attitude is get on the first available chair/gondola and get on with it. However, so many people seem to do this blocking the gates off whilst waiting for their friends. That really should be punishable with a fine in my opinion!
I have also seen, particularly in France I have to say, people simply not going on chairs/gondolas and waiting for others to join them in the queue, which simply causes congestion and bad tempers!
WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS????
As for the shopping, wait until 6pm (if the shops are still open of course) to go and find your boots or skis, or whatever you need. Its so true about people packing into the shops at peak times, so avoid at all costs!
Pavel is so right.
Pavelski
reply to 'Buying own ski boots' posted Mar-2008
TonyH,
You brought up an important point which needs discussion!
Line up behavior! If we agree that many skiers are in the sheep mentality,,it is up to ski resort to establish some basic rules and have people there to make sure respect them.
You as paying skier have great power to "motivate" such centers. Let me give you an example Tony!
I often have to evaluate ski resorts for tour operators or airlines! I note such behavior and lack of "control" by center! I write letters to center management and point out that simple signs and directions could help skiers have a "better" holiday!
In the case of the "waiting" skier at lift.center could have waiting zine! Seems simple!
Perhaps a small sign mentioning that you must find that "wonderful male or women" to go up with BEFORE lift! All single skiers pasted this point will be paired with; foul smelling, obnoxious, talkative etc etc, skier!
In many well run centers, there is a person who "visits" all the lifts and notes problems! Notice I mentioned "well run" You have the power NOT to come back and you should in a positive way mention this to center management! I have found them open for suggestions, especially if it means losing money!
There are some centers I will never ski, because of this poor "control"! There is a smal voice in my head that often says, "Pavel go ahead and post a list of centers that do not really care about the skier" I am now video taping such behavior so that the centers will not say after, " no no never in our center"!!!
It is not a national issue, such behavior occurs in France, Italy, USA, yes even in Austria! It is a ski center issue!
Now back to the famous wave!
Let me again show another wave/sheep issue and how you can "surf" the wave or let it overcome you!
I am skiing in a very fast lift with has T lines! That is there is one major line with two or three feeder perpendicular lines at the left and right!
All three feeder left lines are full of skiers at least 20 back! The right feeder lines?
No body! Why does no one just ski 10 meters to the right! Sheep mentality!
Now I am really going to sound OLD!
Some time ago,,it was the tradition to say, "SINGLE" several minutes before getting near lift! Rare is such calls hear now!
More dangerous that the lift issue is the END LIFT ISSUE! You all have seen it!
At end of lift at top,,,20 people all stopped 3 meters from lift discharge zone waiting for "friends"! Each new skier coming off lifts hits waiting skier until a HUGE HUGE monster of a skier arrives and hits all of them like bowling pins!
Solutions to all of this! (try it)
As you get to top, put on your "crazy face" starting shouting ( with wild desperate voice) BEGINNER BEGINNER OHHH OHHHH WHAT DO I DO!!!!! They will flee! They will part like the sea for Moses! Then like a bullet rush to that "seam" before they realize what has happened!
Warren Miller taught me that!!!!
You brought up an important point which needs discussion!
Line up behavior! If we agree that many skiers are in the sheep mentality,,it is up to ski resort to establish some basic rules and have people there to make sure respect them.
You as paying skier have great power to "motivate" such centers. Let me give you an example Tony!
I often have to evaluate ski resorts for tour operators or airlines! I note such behavior and lack of "control" by center! I write letters to center management and point out that simple signs and directions could help skiers have a "better" holiday!
In the case of the "waiting" skier at lift.center could have waiting zine! Seems simple!
Perhaps a small sign mentioning that you must find that "wonderful male or women" to go up with BEFORE lift! All single skiers pasted this point will be paired with; foul smelling, obnoxious, talkative etc etc, skier!
In many well run centers, there is a person who "visits" all the lifts and notes problems! Notice I mentioned "well run" You have the power NOT to come back and you should in a positive way mention this to center management! I have found them open for suggestions, especially if it means losing money!
There are some centers I will never ski, because of this poor "control"! There is a smal voice in my head that often says, "Pavel go ahead and post a list of centers that do not really care about the skier" I am now video taping such behavior so that the centers will not say after, " no no never in our center"!!!
It is not a national issue, such behavior occurs in France, Italy, USA, yes even in Austria! It is a ski center issue!
Now back to the famous wave!
Let me again show another wave/sheep issue and how you can "surf" the wave or let it overcome you!
I am skiing in a very fast lift with has T lines! That is there is one major line with two or three feeder perpendicular lines at the left and right!
All three feeder left lines are full of skiers at least 20 back! The right feeder lines?
No body! Why does no one just ski 10 meters to the right! Sheep mentality!
Now I am really going to sound OLD!
Some time ago,,it was the tradition to say, "SINGLE" several minutes before getting near lift! Rare is such calls hear now!
More dangerous that the lift issue is the END LIFT ISSUE! You all have seen it!
At end of lift at top,,,20 people all stopped 3 meters from lift discharge zone waiting for "friends"! Each new skier coming off lifts hits waiting skier until a HUGE HUGE monster of a skier arrives and hits all of them like bowling pins!
Solutions to all of this! (try it)
As you get to top, put on your "crazy face" starting shouting ( with wild desperate voice) BEGINNER BEGINNER OHHH OHHHH WHAT DO I DO!!!!! They will flee! They will part like the sea for Moses! Then like a bullet rush to that "seam" before they realize what has happened!
Warren Miller taught me that!!!!
Caron-a
reply to 'Buying own ski boots' posted Mar-2008
pavelski wrote:More dangerous that the lift issue is the END LIFT ISSUE! You all have seen it!
At end of lift at top,,,20 people all stopped 3 meters from lift discharge zone waiting for "friends"! Each new skier coming off lifts hits waiting skier until a HUGE HUGE monster of a skier arrives and hits all of them like bowling pins!
isn't this usually esf lessons? :evil:
Topic last updated on 22-March-2008 at 16:08