Some friends of mine who are very, very keen skiers are going to Innsbruck for a trial ski trip.
I say "trial" because she was very, very ill with a huge whole system infection last year (and very nearly died "prepare for the worst, we do no expect her to live through this night")
Innsbruck is the choice because if skiing is too much then there are City things to do.
Anyway she is a lot better, still weakened though.
One of the effects was circulation issues in her legs (she nearly had one amputated) and as a consequence her feet have changed and the old boots don't fit.
I have begged, pleaded with her to go and see CEM at Solutions4Feet but she is utterly convinced that In-Resort is best as boots can be tweaked on the spot.
We are all devoted S4F'rs, but that argument is lost.
Can anybody suggest a really good bootfitter in Innsbruck, or perhaps its linked ski areas?
Fingers crossed...
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Paging Scarlet & Clarkey
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?
Unfortunately, Jennewein don't open until the end of November, so I haven't had any boots fitted yet and can't give an opinion. I'll be over there next month though. They're based in St Anton, which is just over an hour's drive from Innsbruck.
I did pop into Sport Conrad last month on the off chance of getting a good deal. I was too early, and they only had two models in my size which I tried anyway. I can't really fault them on the stock problem, as apparently November is a better bet, so I couldn't have expected the guy doing the fitting to have done more in the circumstances. However, I did feel that he had a similar level of knowledge to me, and his fitting technique was a little unorthodox! I could probably save myself €€€ there, but not if I end up paying again for another pair because the fit isn't right.
The ski areas around Innsbruck (except St Anton and Ischgl) are not what you would call "resorts" and generally only have one shop which will mainly be for hiring gear. Kühtai is a little bigger, but my friend was working there in a ski shop last season, and when I asked about boot fitters he drew a blank.
Skiing around innsbruck is not resort skiing.
There are chain sport shops in innsbruck, but no idea on the level of expertise the assistant would have.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Going with the Solutions4Feet route does not prevent the skier visiting an in-resort shop for a minor tweak, should the need arise during the trip (hopefully only a nominal cost for the tweak).
After all, anyone who buys a pair of CEMs expertly fitted boots in the UK faces a similar situation when they go away. (And I would venture that not many need to seek out an in-resort boot fitter.)
Far more importantly, any skier with specialist needs is far more likely too get a [close to] perfect result from a true specialist like S4F than they would from even a fairly competent in-resort shop.
I hope your friend manages to enjoy her holiday. Good luck!
@rungsp, It's worth mentioning that there's a new ski plus city lift pass this year that would probably be a good bet for your friends (unless they want to go for day passes): https://www.ski-plus-city.com/en/
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I was in Neustift earlier this year and I noticed that one of the shops there had an extensive range of race boots, aftermarket liners etc. Catering to the local racers is usually an indicator of some level of boot fitting experience, so Neustift would be my suggestion.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Oceanic wrote:
I was in Neustift earlier this year and I noticed that one of the shops there had an extensive range of race boots, aftermarket liners etc. Catering to the local racers is usually an indicator of some level of boot fitting experience, so Neustift would be my suggestion.
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