So we've been for a week in Les Arcs last March and managed to book next March before we'd even arrived home we liked it so much. Since then summer sports have intervened but have just returned from an evening in Hemel Hempstead Snow Dome and now can't wait for next march/next weekend! The whole family already own clothing, gloves, socks and helmets. What's the next best bit of equipment to invest in? 3 of us are now parallel turning/ just started red running, the 11 year old will be doing that by the second day in march. Is it time to consider boots for those whose feet have stopped growing? or am I jumping in too fast and we should stick to rental stuff until we've got to higher levels.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I think if you're committed to skiing every year, you may want to think about buying boots, as you say for those whose feet have stopped growing. Having your own, well fitted boots is way ahead of renting. I took a group of guests out last season and having checked umpteen times they had all their kit, we arrived at another station to find I had left my boots behind, so I had to hire a pair for the day, good punishment, I had forgotten what weapons of torture rental boots were!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Boots, Boots and Boots!
You can buy your skis and poles at a later date or at the same time, but boots are the most important bit of kit when skiing.
1. Boots
2. Lessons - lots of them
3. Base layer
4. Outer/shell layer
5. Gloves
6. Helmet
7. Goggles
8. Rest of clothing, mid layers
9. Skis, poles and bindings
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
boots if you find rental boots uncomfortable (not everybody does), lessons. You've got the rest already. Not really worth buying skis if you are just doing a week or two each year.
boots. well fitted boots will be such a difference to hire. They may not make you ski any better (but probably will) but will be more comfortable. If you so decide to buy I would suggest that you make sure you give yourself plenty of time the day you buy. My last boot fitting was easily 2 hours. Try and go when the shop is quiet and dont go with any initial ideas on the make you want. Try lots on and they should last for quite a few seasons.
The other thing I have found worth having is better quality base layers. You may already have these but I only recently discovered merino wool base layers - I get them from a place in Cumbria - EDZ and they have kept me much warmer and unlike some man made fabrics dont get smelly after a day on the slopes.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Wills, with you just starting out it is best to gradually build up your equipment over the years.
Ski boots, like everyone else is saying, is the most important thing. Don't bother with that flashy £200 jacket you may have your eye on, put the money into a good well fitted pair of boots!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Generally, I'd advise you not to rush. Your own boots would be the next item on the list, BUT:
1. I think in general your own fitted boots are likely to be closer fitting than rental boots and hence there is a greater chance that they will be uncomfortable. They may well work better, but over the years I've seen so many people crippled by their own boots. Rental boots you can just keep swapping until you find a pair you like. Personally I find rental boots extremely comfortable.
2, If you own your own boots then there is a pretty good chance they won't fit within your luggage allowance and you will pay to take them with you everywhere. That's quite likely to be an extra £30 every time you take them abroad and bring them back. (Hire boots cost about 20-25 euro per week)
3. At the level you are at I'd suggest you wait a bit longer. The intermediate boots you want now may not be what you need after a few more seasons.
4. Spend the £1000 pounds you are thinking of spending on a decent pair of boots and spend it on a a better skiing holiday. Ski-in/ski-out, more wine, nicer flights, prettier chalet girls etc.
BTW if you ignore my advice and take everyone else's to buy some boots, then do please buy a pair that you don't have to clip and un-clip every time you get on and off a chairlift. Few things are more irritating for the rest of your party!
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£1,000 for ski boots ? Jeepers !! I've spent less than £1,000 for 3 pairs, and each has lasted 125 days or more.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
No one on here has mentioned good socks... Best advice I ever received after buying my own boots was to spend on socks. Merino wool, thin and not a tube!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@moffatross,
Quote:
£1,000 for ski boots ? Jeepers !! I've spent less than £1,000 for 3 pairs, and each has lasted 125 days or more.
I've never spent that much on a pair of boots either but as everyone was recommending properly fitted boots I just did a quick google and it looked like a typical pair at Profeet was about £340. Happy to be proved wrong. Definitely not my area of expertise.
http://www.profeet.co.uk/mens-ski-boots
BTW Surely it's not possible to ski without a one-piece and a GoPro?
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
foxtrotzulu wrote:
BTW Surely it's not possible to ski without a one-piece and a GoPro?
Possibly not. But the alternative seems to be Hestra army leather gloves, Goretex trousers, a Spyder jacket, a GPS speed tracker and Oakley goggles with a selection of lenses.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@moffatross, Have you been stalking me?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Headcam with selfie pole
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
As many have said boots are the next and most important purchase. But after just one ski holiday you could easily wait till after your second holiday before purchasing.
If you are going to go to Hemel on a regular basis though, ie at least a couple of times a month and possibly have lessons talk to the instructor they can see what level you are skiing at and give you a recommendation on what level of ski boots you should be looking at ( but not what brand for that you need a boot fitter like CEM here on Snowheads ).
Lessons are important and will open up the mountain quicker than no lessons and great fitting boots.
So if you can afford to I would say continue going to Hemel get some lessons and maybe end of Jan look at buying boots ( if not get the boots end of season when you get back or start of following season) but do not buy boots a few weeks before you go away allow enough time to ski in them at Hemel that way if you need any work doing on them it can be done at the shop you bought them from.
Definitely go to a good shop not just bog std high street box pushers.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
There's more than one way to skin a cat…..
The answer all depends on your, your preferences and how much you can / want to spend and how you're prepared to spend it as well as how bothered you are about stuff.
If you are a hedge fund manager who is expecting a tidy bonus you (or your man) could just buy whatever you wanted but the only problem would be finding the time to a) get boots fitted and b) go skiing.
But I doubt (m)any reading this are in that position.
Do you know what you want? Would you be happy to buy second hand / from flea bay? - I can happily answer yes to both. Truth be told you needn't get kids much in the way of specialist ski clothing if they are reasonably outdoorsy (our older two ski in waterproof trousers and cags over fleece) and this needn't look too odd (North Face trousers / Patagonia tops I'd have you know). Same applies to grown ups.
All our kids skis, boots and poles sourced from ebay and Snow and Rock buy back.
A nice man from Manchester delivered my most recent ebay skis and boots yesterday (hardly used, only a day and a half on a mountain the rest of the time in the Chill Factore- exactly the boots I want and the inners can be remoulded- by me at home if I really want- lowish fan oven). £280 the lot for boots which would be ~£400, bindings ~ £240 and skis the same again- I'm happy and anyway I probably couldn't buy the boot or bindings in the UK retail. There is absolutely no need to get brand new / this seasons gear (ever / for anything)- if you know what you want, are prepared to wait, are willing to be a bit wrong. This way we spend less money on stuff and more on actually going skiing.
BUT - you've only been for a week or so. If you are normal in terms of money / ski mania / ability I'd wait a bit before buying any boots and skis. Much better spending the money on actually going skiing and getting lessons / passes / beer. Arguably by far the most important bit of equipment you all have is not gear- but you- invest in that, enjoy yourselves and get better. (Unless money is no object / you really don't mind the small risk of second hand stuff from flea bay).
Obviously most people will tell you that boots must only be fitted by highly trained near Jedi masters (rather than drunk Frenchmen) all this has a very strong wiff of BS: canting, alignment, custom footbeds, zip fit, crystals, colour analysis, delta angles - oh and must be bought new. All that said some of my boots have very nearly killed me/ anyone near me…..
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@ed123, hhhmmmm BS regards boots id say not, but then it all depends on your level. There are some very experienced skiers here and whilst a poorly fitting boot is fine for some at lower levels, there is not a chance on this planet id clip into skis unless i was 100% happy with my boots. Id rather not go skiing one year to ensure I could afford well fitted boots. Comfort aside (I ski in race boots with zip fits, so all day comfort can go out of the window), the control you can gain through a well fitted boot is a long way away than anything I can image getting in my oven - not to say that I have tried, so if youve managed it for your level, then great, but for me its CEM all the way (other Jedi boot fitters are available)
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
ed123 wrote:
There's more than one way to skin a cat…..
Obviously most people will tell you that boots must only be fitted by highly trained near Jedi masters (rather than drunk Frenchmen) all this has a very strong wiff of BS: canting, alignment, custom footbeds, zip fit, crystals, colour analysis, delta angles - oh and must be bought new. All that said some of my boots have very nearly killed me/ anyone near me…..
Sorry ed123 but it is BS to think a good bootfitter will not help especially when the OP is pretty new to skiing and will not yet know how much or little a boot inner will compress, how much the flex will change when out on the slopes etc etc.
Canting, delta angles etc etc are something a second year skier is not expected to know the foggiest about and neither will the vast majority of shop staff in the chain stores. Dependant on the OP's feet these may be essential to get right from the very start and will make a massive difference hence seeing a good boot fitter who knows their job.
I would not recommend any second time skier to buy boots online from a shop never mind fleabay they will most certainly get it wrong.
If the OP wants to buy skis secondhand for indoor use that is different any good instructor can give recommendations for type/make/model and length etc, for the level the skier is at.
P.S.
There may well be some very good drunk French bootfitters out there. Most UK chain stores should have someone who is competent but if they are busy on day off etc there are too many tales of woe from people being sold boots that are not the right ones for them.
@PaulC1984, @speed098, Don't get me wrong. I'm suggesting they buy no boots at all and am pointing out that (depending on your own attitude to stuff and tinkering) that (eventually) secondhand / ebay boots are quite possible and will save you a fortune.
I'm mean, really, it's just fitting a boot not a new flux capacitor into the Starship Enterprise, just like mounting your own bindings….
Here's a clip of child in second hand boots (which by the way would be impossible to get retail in England and near impossible from almost all ski shops in Europe) boots about £50 we got the liners rebaked for about €25 but i'd be happy to do this at home in a fan oven (new if I could find then the'd be north of £300) http://youtube.com/v/FE10C8k6avo
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@ed123, boots have to fit, as easy as that. Try to play football with too big shoes and you will see. Now imagine ski at speads and your foot wobbles inside the boot ... Chances of getting rigt fit when byuing of ebay or a profesional looking at your feet and asking relevant questions of how you ski, your level etc. i did both - bought in chain shop and two years ago got fitted boots - huge difference in feel and performance. You may get lucky and ebay boots will fit perfectly, but what are the chances?
..a new flux capacitor into the Starship Enterprise...
You're fired! It's incompetence like that which lets the Dark Side undermine democracy FFS
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@ed123, I think we will just have to agree to disagree. Kids boots and adult boots are very different indeed. with kids you can strap them into any old boot with an extra pair of socks and they will be happy all day, but when tiny tot starts to get bigger (and im talking teens now - if they are not competing/really serious of course) im afraid its time for boot fitting. I think you will struggle to convince 99% of here, but as I've said before, if its worked for you then thats great, but its not for me
After all it is free
After all it is free
1)Poles
2)Onesie
3)Backpack
PS if you are then hooked bindings come next
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@T Bar, Sounds like your describing a touring break, Im sure spyderjon will be along to give you the rest of the kit list. Talking of which, i munched on some chocolate covered Kendal mint cake today, heaven on earth - its going in my back pack this time!!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
boots boots and more boots..........pah.
The single most important bit of kit is the hip-flask
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
PaulC1984 wrote:
@T Bar, Sounds like your describing a touring break, Im sure spyderjon will be along to give you the rest of the kit list. Talking of which, i munched on some chocolate covered Kendal mint cake today, heaven on earth - its going in my back pack this time!!
Normally the KMC tastes better in your stomach than backpack
It is the reason I never loose any weight walking
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Most important next purchase is of course, the apartment...
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@speed098,
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Best investment is a second ski holiday (at least) every year - you'll make much faster progress.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Arctic Roll wrote:
Most important next purchase is of course, the apartment...
And an ample sized 4x4 to drive to it .....
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Lessons with a good instructor. Will make more of a difference to your skiing enjoyment than any other purchase.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Quote:
The single most important bit of kit is the hip-flask
The truest words ever spoken
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
rob@rar wrote:
Lessons with a good instructor. Will make more of a difference to your skiing enjoyment than any other purchase.
Very true, and so negelcted by the majority. Not only will your skiing improve, you can find answers to all those skiing related questions you forgot to ask here (or go armchair driven answers to).
Best example I can think of for an instructor being one if not the most important parts of making a first ski holiday enjoyable.
At the time I was working in Snowtips Backtraks in Banff, a relatively basic rental shop - A larger than average woman arrived with an instructor - she had learned the basics of skiing on a dryslope back in the UK. And had booked (for the week) said instructor based on advice form friends - they came to us as the other shops had told her, she couldn't ski as there were no boots that would fit her (ample) calfs - the instructor had very patiently gone form shop to shop, determined to fix this - we solved the problem quite simple (and were very surpriesd another shop hadn't allready done this) by using a snowboard rachet to extend the boots clips. The instructor then spent the week skiing between cafe's and lifts - very carefull never to do more than one run between breaks, to aviid exhaution and axiety and incremenatly giving skiing advice - his teching skils were not as important as his patients and planning - but somone who had been told by 5 shops that she couldn't ski - had a week full of confidence boosting skiing - and at the end of her trip returned to the uk, happy with her skiing and determined to buy boots so idiots wouldn't have the opertunity to tell her she coudn't ski.
I'm thinking of buying a helmet but have NO idea which to get! Does anyone have any ideas? I was reading around and found this article on MIPS technology in helmets (http://www.loveskiing.co.uk/health-fitness/mips-helmets-inspired-by-brain-fluid-to-help-reduce-the-impact-of-a-crash/) and I figure it'd be worth buying a helmet with MIPS in? Or has anyone had a bad experience with it? Help!!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@WHanley, Im not totally convinced MIPS makes that much different in ski helmets (push bike helmets are a different matter). Others will totally disagree with me, and thats fine - im certainly no expert and a lot will say you dont need a helmet - we all have our own views.
The thing I would say is ignore cost - just because its expensive or cheap it makes little difference. The same goes for the brand.
I ski in a Ruroc, why? because it fits me better than any helmet I could find. I used to race in a scot with FFP, then a POC both fitted nicely.
You need to look at fit first and always - ignore what the price, colour, brand and look is like - a poorly fitting helmet will do you more damage than good
After all it is free
After all it is free
I'm not suggesting that MIPS is nonsense, I have no idea, but it's worth remembering that helmet manufacturers have to constantly innovate and add new 'benefits' in an effort to persuade us to buy new helmets. Otherwise I suspect most punters would keep a helmet for 10+ years at least. It's little different from the skin care industry with all their dubious science and made-up technical terms.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Thanks @PaulC194, you make a good point! Completely agree with what you say on cost and fit! @foxtrotzulu I see what you're saying, but in my opinion, MIPS sounds fairly credible and if you aren't going to pay a huge amount more for it, what harm can it do?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@WHanley, as @PaulC1984, says, it is all about the fit. My helmet does not have a wheel adjustment on the back because I found that type of design uncomfortable.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
I've spent less than £1,000 for 3 pairs, and each has lasted 125 days or more.
here, but as I've said before, if its worked for you then thats great, but its not for me
