Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

First ski boot recommendations

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hi all

I'm a 48 year old retired snowboarder just skid for the first time last year for a long time but my group said I was a good intermediate, linking turns, parallel turns etc and I loved it.

My question is, many have said, "get your own boots" but I've no idea what to get. My skiing would be quite leisurely no moguhls, I just like cruising with the occasional blast downhill.

My budget would around £200 so any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all 😃
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
The number 1 thing with ski boots is that they fit your feet correctly so go and see a proper boot fitter. If you let us know where you live I'm sure the folk on here can recommend someone near you.

Most people make the mistake of buying their first ski boots without advice from a boot fitter and end up with boots that are too large or that don't fit properly. Yes they've saved a bit of money by doing this but it's all wasted when they realise their mistake and end up having to buy another pair.

Get it right first time around and you'll be better off financially and happier with your ski boots.
latest report
 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?
Yup, I was so desperate not to wear hire boots again after my first trip that I bought the wrong ones! Expensive mistake....a few years on & I went to an accredited boot fitter locally...what a difference! Plenty of choice within your budget, I would think. But get a good fitter or give it a bit of time - til you are sure what you want yourself.
Good luck & welcome to the ‘ski’ side.
snow report
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
@ralphster, For £200 you will probably be looking at sale items, so you may be restricted on the number of boots in your size (usually small or large boots), as only the new stock will be available in the full range of sizes.
snow conditions
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
When you go skiing with your new fitted boots for the first time take some soft rubber sheets 1/8 and 1/4" thick or so to pad out bits of your boots that don't seem to be working. You won't really know how good your fitting is until you have skied a couple of days. I always heave trouble with my ankles.

Also, I think there is a lot of rubbish talked about boots if we are not racing skiers. As everybody says, it is the fitting that really matters.
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
I’m a 62 year old beginner and am quite light (11 stone). I bought new Dalbello Avanti 90’s from Snow and Rock at the CF in July for £125, because the rental ones were crippling me. I also had custom insoles made there. The liners were also heat moulded by S&R (for free). Maybe I’ve got “average” shaped feet (if there is such a thing), but they are so comfortable. I’m not saying for one moment that you shouldn’t go to a specialist boot fitter. I knew no better at the time, and may well have just struck it lucky; but I love my boots. Will they be too soft for me in a couple of years time, as my skiing technique improves? Maybe. But all I know is they are cracking boots, very comfortable and at a very reasonable price. It simply proves you can get comfortable new boots within your budget.
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:

because the rental ones were crippling me.

I bought my own boot quite early for the same reason. I thought comfort was the only thing matters.

Spend the next few seasons blissfully lingering in the intermediate plateau (happy to cruise around but terrified when happened upon steep blacks). I think that’s where the OP is skill wise? Intermediate.

That boot got “more comfortable” each season as the liner got pack out fast. But I didn’t know better.

Finally got fitted by a proper bootfitter with custom insole. Suddenly, my skis felt like a part of my body and I can tell them to do anything I want! My skiing went leaps and bounds!!! Blacks are no longer terrifying but exhilarating!!!
Very Happy
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Thanks all I will take all those points on board and will look a thing Snow and Rock. I'm based in the north west so I'm finding boot shops limited but have heard Rivington Alpine are good?
ski holidays
 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.
@ralphster, my mate has just bought a pair of these from S&R in the CF. https://www.snowandrock.com/p/dalbello-men-s-avanti-110-ski-boots-J1112273.html?channable=e14331.MTk0NjQ1XzM2MDk&colour=3609&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-ubr1qW31wIVhbgbCh0jZQrLEAQYASABEgLs4_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I’m not suggesting you should buy on price or comfort alone, and most people with far more experience than me on here will say you should go to a boot fitter. I’m just pointing out there are boots available within your budget, assuming they meet your needs.
latest report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
48 years young, leisure skiing, no moguls.
I'd say Red Ones would be best if you can get them for less than £200.

You could try Blue Ones, they wont be so fast, but could come in a bit cheaper.
snow report
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
seriously though, fit is the most important.
I'd shun all the big stores in the UK, after spending a couple of hours trying on boots I went for a Grey Pair with three buckles, they felt good. But when I took them on holiday I found that the centre buckle shut off my circulation and caused so much pain.
The boots went to eBay.
ski holidays
 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.
Thanks guys, ill phone S&R tomorrow to see if they have my size, might be a trip to Ambleside or Manchester Chill Factor.
ski holidays
 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
@ralphster, Rivington alpine have been involved in skiing for years ( bought stuff off them 20+ years ago when my kids were racing), you should get far better service from the enthusiasts there than in S&R.
latest report
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Go see Graham at Rivington Alpine. You'll get better service than S+R.
latest report
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@ralphster if you didn't get it from the subtext of some of the above posts... don't just buy a pair of boots because they seem to fit OK and come in your price bracket. That's absolutely pointless.

You need to make sure you see somebody who knows about boots, properly. Flex is very important and the wrong flex will basically mean you either can't bend the ski enough or you can't bend it at all... both will prevent you turning properly... which let's face it is not a good place to be.

All buying the wrong boots will achieve is premature purchase of a second, correct pair of boots and the whole cost-saving exercise will have been a false economy. Just pay the going rate for the right pair.
snow report
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@dp, +1
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
dp wrote:
All buying the wrong boots will achieve is premature purchase of a second, correct pair of boots and the whole cost-saving exercise will have been a false economy. Just pay the going rate for the right pair.

Very true. Pretty much the last thing I did when I bought my current pair of boots was to ask the price. If done right, the fitter will have asked about your skiing, experience, what type of terrain you like skiing and how you’d like your skiing to progress.

Yes, the boots I ended up with were a little bit more than I was hoping to pay but given it took well over an hour to fit you’re effectively paying for that expertise too. FWIW I got mine from Glide and Slide in Otley.
snow conditions
 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?
I'll speak with my neighbours ref mates rates as their family run glide n slide 😁
I saw on Sports Direct the Dalbello Avanti for £110 and my head says buy them,go to a fitter and get them moulded. My heart is saying, dig a bit deeper you tight sod and do it right first time around.

I'm try to get the family away this year on a budget and that's were my entry point is in terms of boots, however, I completely agree with some of the advice given and can see myself coming from somewhere.....with a slightly more expensive pair than intended.

Then I'll have to get some flowers from Aldi on the way home which pushes the budget up 😂
latest report
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
@ralphster, I'm now 54, started skiing again at 48, bought a pair of boots off ebay. skied in them for three years, they were very comfy! i then went to buy a new pair at our local independent ski shop. After a few minutes it turned out they were a whole size too big!!

The boot fitter was great and there only a few makes of boot that fit my high instep. After two hours we ended up with the perfect fit, with custom footbeds etc. it cost £350 but the difference in my control is massive.

Boots are the most important purchase, if you can't afford to splash £350, i'd hire for another year and save up!
ski holidays
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
That would assume you get the correct size from Sport Direct and it is somewhere close to your foot shape. Seriously just get yourself to Rivington Alpine or Glide n Slide. They may have something from last season that will suit you, but at least you will know it is the right boot for you.
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
I'll call both this morning and see what they've got in stock. Thanks again for the advice Very Happy
snow report
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Without seeing and measuring your foot they won't be able to tell you what they've got AND will fit your feet. It's not just size as in length like trainers. It's about shape, volume and a whole lot more. If those things aren't right no amount of fitting will solve it.


Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sun 12-11-17 17:01; edited 1 time in total
ski holidays
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
ralphster wrote:

I saw on Sports Direct the Dalbello Avanti for £110 and my head says buy them,go to a fitter and get them moulded.


It's all very well getting them moulded but you can't mould the wrong boot into being right. All moulding is doing is getting the plastic a bit closer to your body shape than it came out of the factory, it can't undo a fundamental bad fit. (And like I said before, that's all assuming you need a 110 flex - which you might not).

Don't underestimate boots. They're not just special shoes. They're the interface between your body and the skis. So with skis being fairly central to the sport of skiing, being properly interfaced with your skis is a good idea. Buying whatever's in the sale might save you £200 but it might also give you a week of sub-par skiing on your £1000 ski holiday so that's not a good economy is it?
ski holidays
 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.
Another vote for Rivington Alpine, they really are excellent - best to phone them and make an appointment
snow report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
dp wrote:
It's all very well getting them moulded but you can't mould the wrong boot into being right.


This. Moulding won't change the width of the boot where it meets the sole. And other measurements that aren't 'mouldable'. I always have Salomon cos that's the shape of foot I have - confirmed by CEM recently Smile

You wouldn't put a cheap tyre on the car of it was the wrong size expecting it to sort itself out by pumping up a bit more would you?
latest report
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Even as a snowboarder you don't choose boots, boots choose you... Nothing you can do about it, you just have to hope the ones that choose you aren't the most expensive ones in the shop.
ski holidays
 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.
@ralphster welcome to the forum and I hope you love your boots and your boots love you.
ski holidays
 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
Ooo and let us know how you got on and the final outcome.
ski holidays
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Yet another vote for Rivington Alpine. Spend half a day getting them fitted properly. I'm in North Cumbria and have travelled to Chorley to get it done right. Worth it
snow conditions
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
jjams82 wrote:
you just have to hope the ones that choose you aren't the most expensive ones in the shop.


Sods law says they usually are though Confused
snow conditions



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy