 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there,
I am new to skiing and have only been once before, many years ago, however, I am heading to New Zealand for this years ski season and would like some advice on ski equipment, more specifically, ski boots.
Firstly, just a quick question on transportation of ski boots: Is it acceptable/a good idea to put ski boots in a holdall and take on the plane as carry on luggage?
More importantly though, I need some advice for beginner ski boots, any suggestions on potential brands/styles/makes? I know nothing so forgive my lack of proper terminology.
Is buying a second hand pair of ski boots a good idea for a beginner?
What price should I pay for a first pair?
Can you refit a used pair of ski boots?
-If so, where will do this, (Ellis Brigham?) and how much is it likely to cost?
Can you wear a used pair without getting them professionally fitted? Is there anything you can do yourself at home?
Whats the best option for purchasing skis?
-I.E will any boots fit any skis? Does length of skis matter?
Sorry for all the questions, I would apreciate any and all advice as I know nothing at all about skiing. Thanks in advance 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Any boots can fit any skis. Getting ones that fit your feet is the trick. When we started OH had a load of misery in hire boots. My feet appear to be boot shaped so everything fits nicely.
Price can vary widely, but there is no point in paying for some trick kit which hurts. You would have to be lucky to get something second hand which fits perfectly.
Hire skis are usually decent enough for your first few weeks. Don't buy a pair until you are entirely hooked. (That'll be around day 2  )
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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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Okay - all professional boot fitters look away NOW!
I took up skiing three years ago, and I've been happy to be a renter of equipment (free at our local dry slope weekly, and trips to Hemel, and hired on annual holidays) until very recently. The big benefit of renting - apart from not having to juggle them into luggage - is being able to swap them as many times as necessary to get what you want/need... This is especially helpful when progressing from beginner (where comfort is key) to intermediate (where consistency is key) to advanced (where performance is key).
It is only now I'm an 'advanced intermediate' that I felt having my own boots would make a big difference to my technique - but I don't feel the need to spend hundreds of pounds on a pair of boots.
Over the last 6 months, I took photos of any boots which gave a particularly good fit/performance, for research material: I compared the makes, models, sizes and lasts on the internet, and hence when I was looking for boots on a well-known auction site, I was fairly confident of what I was after.
My bargain boots - £30 plus postage - were advertised as second hand, but were brand new as far as I could tell in the photos (all stickers still on the exterior, not a mark or scratch on the toe or heel and never pushed into a binding) and two weeks in I'm really happy with them so far (so good) but if they don't wear in correctly I'm certainly no worse off than a HUGE number of skiers who have been sold the latest fashion boot in a trendy ski shop, paying 10 times the price for the privilege 
I am still happy renting skis, but I may do some similar research in the next 6-12 months... I say there's certainly nothing wrong with second hand equipment, as long as it's an informed choice.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
It is only now I'm an 'advanced intermediate' that I felt having my own boots would make a big difference to my technique
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Has it? (made a big difference to your technique)
You've had it for 2 weeks already...
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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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@hjc5287, you probably know if your feet are fairly normal/average or if they have unusual features è.g. narrow for their length or very high arches.
if you're average you may well be ok hiring which also has the advantage of being able to swap them out every other day until you find what works.
Or visit your local retailer to see how you get on - the range in the UK will be a bit limited at this time of year but prices should be reduced.
Regarding transport I've never had problems taking boots in the cabin - your limitation is the size/weight specified by your airline - check with them.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| hjc5287 wrote: |
Hi there,
I am new to skiing and have only been once before, many years ago, however, I am heading to New Zealand for this years ski season and would like some advice on ski equipment, more specifically, ski boots.
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Wow. What a way to start.
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Firstly, just a quick question on transportation of ski boots: Is it acceptable/a good idea to put ski boots in a holdall and take on the plane as carry on luggage?
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It's what I do.
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More importantly though, I need some advice for beginner ski boots, any suggestions on potential brands/styles/makes? I know nothing so forgive my lack of proper terminology.
Is buying a second hand pair of ski boots a good idea for a beginner? |
Some feet - like mine need specially fitted boots to a void pain and blisters - but that's a bit unusual. Why not try hiring boots in New Zaealand, and see how you get on? As for brand your boot fitter is pest placed to sort out what's right for you. If you need to buy boots, why not do so in New Zealand? They may cost a bit more (I don't know) but you can then get them adjusted (for example blown out in specific places) by the boot fitter as shown to be needed dung the first fortnight or so of wear. Personally, I would not buy second hand. But I would hire for a month or so if your feet are OK with the hire boots.
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What price should I pay for a first pair? |
I haven't a clue. I bought my latest pair of boots from Colin at Solutions for Feet and trusted him totally to fit me with the right boots and foot beds, after I had told him honestly hodw I skied - and let the price fall out form that. Can't remember how much exactly, but £400+.
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| Can you refit a used pair of ski boots? |
You'd need to ask a boot fitter - who would not be starting off from a known reference (as wth a new boot).
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-If so, where will do this, (Ellis Brigham?) and how much is it likely to cost? |
No idea.
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| Can you wear a used pair without getting them professionally fitted? |
You might be lucky. I wouldn't try.
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| Is there anything you can do yourself at home? |
No.
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Whats the best option for purchasing skis?
-I.E will any boots fit any skis? Does length of skis matter? |
Hire skis for your first few weeks of skiing.
All ths is just my take, of course.
I have skied only once in New Zealand - and that was back in the 60s - but I am assuming good quality boot fitting and ski hiring facilities are readily to hand. More recent visitors will of course know.
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Boots are weird, you have to try them yourself to see what fits. Even professionally fitted boots can cause troubles at least initially, alternatively rental or second hand boots may fit and ski surprisingly well. The touring boots I grabbed off the shelf on January sales ski much better than professionally fitted boots that cost me almost 4 times as much. I also hated every custom footbed ever made for me, I don't waste my time on them anymore. If you are going to spend a season in New Zealand maybe you should rent your equipment there at first, just to get an idea what works. Or go to some brick and mortar sport shop, and ask for help. As beginner the chances are you'll end up in boots too big, which shouldn't be a big issue at this stage, unless they are huge. If you tried some boots and liked how they fit, try the same boots but a size smaller. Basically, whatever you buy - new or used - make sure you try them first, as there is a limit to what a fitter can do to poorly fitting boots.
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@never summer, afaik, and ime, a fitter can always make a too small boot comfortable but can do very little for an over large boot
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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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| Amunah wrote: |
Okay - all professional boot fitters look away NOW!
I took up skiing three years ago .....
It is only now I'm an 'advanced intermediate' that I felt having my own boots would make a big difference to my technique - . |
Hey that's pretty impressive progress on your 3 annual holidays. I've skied probably 60 - 100 weeks and i'm still shy of describing myself as advanced intermediate.
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Quote:
Is there anything you can do yourself at home?
No.
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Yes there is.
You can fit your own heat molded insoles.
You can it your own heel lifts etc.. if needed.
You can change every variable available on the boot.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Whatever you do, definitely don't buy online. If you can't find anything in your budget here, then wait until you get to NZ. Buying in your local shop (from a good, recommended bootfitter) means you can go back to get them tweaked if you have problems. You should also get discounts as a local season worker
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Hey that's pretty impressive progress on your 3 annual holidays. I've skied probably 60 - 100 weeks and i'm still shy of describing myself as advanced intermediate.
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Three weeks of lessons on snow is what I'd expect of an advanced intermediate skier, and the poster is also skiing (taking lessons?) on dry slope & snowdome. Beginner - intermediate - advanced - expert is how most ski schools categorise ability
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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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@hjc5287, Given that your are new to skiing, I would hire everything. You will then be able to take boots/skis back to try different ones (you say you will be in NZ for the season)
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You know it makes sense.
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@flangesax, that isn't what we're talking about though. If I wanted to buy the exact same boots that I had last year online then obviously I could do that and know what I was getting, but what buying online for a lot of people - and I suspect this poster - means is buying something cheap in your shoe size and hoping it works out okay. He's said he's new to skiing so he doesn't have a pair of rental boots of a particular shell/mondo etc to use as a jumping off point
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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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@moseyp, I got a bit muddled with the OP and@Amunah
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Poster: A snowHead
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| flangesax wrote: |
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Quote:
Is there anything you can do yourself at home?
No.
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Yes there is.
You can fit your own heat molded insoles.
You can it your own heel lifts etc.. if needed.
You can change every variable available on the boot. |
Yes. Physically you can. However bearing in mind the experience of the OP, I think 'No' is succinct advice. YMMV.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@under a new name, true, but again there will be a limit to what can be done.
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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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@achilles, true, again I'm just thinking of the bigger picture rather than concentrating on our OP... but I'm not sure what your vomit has to do with it!
http://www.acronymfinder.com/YMMV.html
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| emwmarine wrote: |
| Amunah wrote: |
Okay - all professional boot fitters look away NOW!
I took up skiing three years ago .....
It is only now I'm an 'advanced intermediate' that I felt having my own boots would make a big difference to my technique - . |
Hey that's pretty impressive progress on your 3 annual holidays. I've skied probably 60 - 100 weeks and i'm still shy of describing myself as advanced intermediate. |
60 - 100 WEEKS and not an advanced intermediate?
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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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Oh cool! Wasn't aware of that one. No, we may have different viewpoints - but I don't feel that strongly about it 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Themasterpiece wrote: |
| emwmarine wrote: |
| Amunah wrote: |
Okay - all professional boot fitters look away NOW!
I took up skiing three years ago .....
It is only now I'm an 'advanced intermediate' that I felt having my own boots would make a big difference to my technique - . |
Hey that's pretty impressive progress on your 3 annual holidays. I've skied probably 60 - 100 weeks and i'm still shy of describing myself as advanced intermediate. |
60 - 100 WEEKS and not an advanced intermediate? |
I think it depends on your definition of advanced intermediate. Sometimes I think i'm ok thn watch a very good skier and realise i've still got a lot to learn. Certainly, after 3 weeks skiing I wouldn't have considered myself an advanced anything.
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We're in danger of hijacking the thread discussing how many hours you need on the slopes until you're an 'advanced intermediate'*, but I feel the need to explain what might have been missed in my initial response... I don't quite know where it was calculated that I'd only been skiing on my 3 annual ski holidays, because I did say I rented weekly at the local dry slope. I take weekly ski lessons at Ladies Club, where I've worked my way up through the various groups at Ladies Club over the last 3 years: Lower Beginner, Upper Beginner, Lower Intermediate, Intermediate, and I'm now in Upper Intermediate (with an eye fixed firmly on the top group, Advanced), so these are the Ski Club's definitions, not mine. I used the term 'advanced intermediate' instead of 'upper intermediate' as the OP did say they knew nothing about skiing.
My point for the OP was that it is possible - and advisable - to do a fair bit of skiing on rentals before buying your own boots/skis.
Spoiler*the answer is, of course, "As many as it takes!"
@abc:
| Quote: |
Has it? (made a big difference to your technique)
You've had it for 2 weeks already...
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Why, it's too soon to tell just yet, but I'd be happy to report back in a few weeks. Will my humble opinion do, or would you need a signed letter from my Instructor? 
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@Amunah, If it's any consolation I spotted you had not just had 3 weeks annual hols but I wasn't quick enough to point it out...and many on here just don't read.
I think abc also thought your were only a 3 week skier so hey ho...
read the words guys.....
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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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| Quote: |
and the poster is also skiing (taking lessons?) on dry slope & snowdome.
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@moseyp, full marks....you read the post
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Gold star.
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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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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
@Amunah, If it's any consolation I spotted you had not just had 3 weeks annual hols but I wasn't quick enough to point it out...and many on here just don't read.
I think abc also thought your were only a 3 week skier so hey ho...
read the words guys..... |
No, I spotted she skied more than just one week per year. She did say 2 weeks on the new boot, hence my question.
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Why, it's too soon to tell just yet, but I'd be happy to report back in a few weeks. Will my humble opinion do, or would you need a signed letter from my Instructor?
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Only instructors opinion counts, even unofficial ones.
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