 Poster: A snowHead
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I've been skiing for years now (since I was 2) and am doing a ski internship course in Japan on my gap year (next year). I need to get skis, boots, bindings, poles etc. before I go. Now, I'm going skiing in Morzine this New Year's and was considering getting it all there. My current options are: (in Morzine)
- buy boots here in the UK at Snow and Rock and the rest there
- buy everything there
- try out equipment there and buy it back in the UK
I just want the right things for me and at the most convenient price (quality comes first though).
Thoughts?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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You will soon find that the field is split on this one. My personal preference is to buy my mountain equipment in the mountains. Don't skimp on the boots and a professional fitter; you are not too far away from chamonix where you have a choice of sole boot lab and snaglard amongst others. The rest of your gear you could try out in morzine and then pick it up for cheaper at Au Vieux Campeur in salanche. Prices there are often cheaper then what guides/instructors pay in resorts with their professional discounts. All staff are locals and ski/climb year round.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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PP, Interesting that you consider Au Vieux Campeur cheaper as I thought they were quite expensive (but sale items are a good price that I remember), nevertheless they have a good range of stuff and worth a visit. Then again there is Ski Clinic in Cluses.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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As PP, and Basil, have suggested there are specialist boot fitters nearby. +1 on ski clinic in Cluses, probably your nearest, but they are very race orientated. Vieux campeur and Quechua are both very much worth a look for stuff other than Boots (Vieux Campeur not bad on boots) but if you are traveling as far as Sallanches come to Cham and go to Sole they DO know what they are doing with boots.
Skis take at least 2 pairs - one with bindings with a walk mode - you probably don't need a Low tech style touring binding more a Duke/Guardian/Adrenalin binding on your fatter skis, you will be so glad you have them with you in Japan + skins
Also get yourself a transceiver/shovel/probe. If price is an issue just go to Quechua/vieux Campeur and get a Peips Freeride + Cheep shovel + Probe - the whole lot will be less than 150€ while you won't have the greatest setup, with practice it will work and again you will be so glad you have it with you are it opens a world of opportunities.
Why am I talking back country gear when you are probably going to learn to be an instructor, well this stuff is very hard to come by and very expensive in Japan + Japan has more snow than most places so it's not so easy/safe to just wing it and ski your carvers in the forest with no avie kit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Basil, yes forgot about the Ski Clinic. From my experience Au Vieux Campeur is still cheaper then buying an equivalent product in a resort and they have a fantastic range. Also their sales often start early in the season.
ps whats happened to the buy in the UK crowd?
pps snaglard should read sanglard 
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Not sure where you are, but I reckon a good idea (as suggested to me by others on here) is to go to an indoor slope (e.g. Snozone in castleford) that has a good ski store within. They should let you try out different items on then try them out on the slope. Just my 2c worth. Enjoy your gap year I'm hoping to do the same
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I`m not sure that I would focus on Sand R to buy my boots from; not very competitive, and hit and miss for fitting
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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.
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I'll second Sole Boot Lab. Save on anything else, just not on boots.
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Au vieux campeur +1. Very keen pricing on safety gear and deliver to UK. Big November pre season -15% sale which you could combine with the -10% loyalty card on most kit(not transceivers only 10% there) . Might deliver to your Morzine address.
I d buy my boots this season, build a wish list for the rest and buy when the price looks right post season or in pre season sales. Snow conditions might push some retailers to sales sooner as well. If you take 2 pairs as per Idris, consider Quiver Killer to share the cost of the binding and for long haul airline packing purposes.
Good luck and welcome to Snow Heads!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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mishmash, not sure that they deliver to UK. I tried last year this time and they said no....so just had to pop in person to give them my money 
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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.
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Well I had a couple of pairs of skis from them this November . Required a bank transfer and euro 30 carriage - though they would have delivered to France as well on a cc I think I recall. Mind you I can parlez vous assez bien. Nothing like actually fondling the shiny new gear though is there?!
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Yes I,shouldn't be allowed anywhere near their salanche branch. It is good to know that they do deliver to the uk
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Natasha - call in on Jamie at allmountainrental / Beanies coffee shop for a great boot fitter who knows his stuff and takes the necessary time. You may be able to pick up some ex-rental / ex-demo skis at a good price if you ask nicely. Tell him I sent you his way - Nevil from La Vardaf.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| MontriondSkier wrote: |
| Natasha - call in on Jamie at allmountainrental / Beanies coffee shop for a great boot fitter who knows his stuff and takes the necessary time. You may be able to pick up some ex-rental / ex-demo skis at a good price if you ask nicely. Tell him I sent you his way - Nevil from La Vardaf. |
Thanks so much! I will definitely do that. We've used All Mountain for the last 5 years and they're fantastic. Thanks again 
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