 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
We are en-route to Austria for a few months skiing, stopping in London for a few weeks for Christmas and to pick up a car. We need to replace/update gear for the whole family. Kids skis and boots and outfit two adults. In particular we want to get the adults boots right this time around.
Generally is there much difference in price and service buying in the UK or 'on the ground' in Austria (or in Germany on the way).
We are staying in St Johann im Pongau (Alpendorf). Would love to hear from anyone that has had experience with boot fitting and buying in that area. Otherwise I assume we're best to make an appointment with someone like Profeet while we're in London and then look around sites like snowleader or snow and rock for skiis we're after to see where we can get a reasonable price.
I realise this is a common type of topic, we're from the southern hemisphere and any advice or anecdotal experience is greatly appreciated
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@jonathanco, You might be best getting your boots fitted in resort so that you can get them adjusted after a couple of days skiing if you need to. If you buy boots in London, you might find you need adjustments anyway and will probably have to pay extra for them because you bought them elsewhere.
For other stuff, clothing and accessories... it depends. There is Sport Conrad in Germany which has a good reputation for price, and you'll almost certainly have a better choice in Germany or Austria. However, buying as you are with a third currency, you may find prices better in the UK due to the low value pound. Also, some British brands such as Mountain Equipment offer their gear and what currently works out to be a preferable sterling rate compared to the Euro – I just saved almost €100 on a jacket by getting it shipped over from the UK.
Have a look on Ellis Brigham, Snow and Rock, Cotswolds and check the prices compared to Conrad for your currency exchange. All of these shops have stores in London where you can try on. There will be others too, but I haven't been in a while.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 10-12-18 14:09; edited 1 time in total
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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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In resort so you can get fit adjusted as you start using them.
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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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@jonathanco, Alpendorf is really the purpose built tourist part of St Johann. I doubt many locals buy their kit in Alpendorf. They’ll probably use some of the bigger shops that’ll be found in retail parks or if they’re serious will use a specialist boot fitter. I can remember seeing some retail parks when I’ve been to St Johann but I can’t remember what sports shops there are.
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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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The shops the other side of the hill in Wagrain are pretty good.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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What everyone else said. Got to buy boots where you are so you can get free punching / cooking / helping.
Have a great time!
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Just to sound a different note - I'd definitely get all the general gear in London (find a Decathlon). And I'd get kids boots, too - they don't usually cause any problems. I'd have a go at boots for yourselves, too - you say you'll be in London for a few weeks, so would have a chance to go back to Profeet if necessary. I would prefer not to spend hours of a precious week's ski holiday chasing round the local boot shops.
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@pam w, although @jonathanco has said, “a few months skiing,” so the time spent shopping in Austria probably isn’t quite as precious as it would be for a week skiing.
Agree with a visit to Decathlon though. Ski Bartlett is worth a visit too. If you find what you like in the U.K. then it’s worth getting, but no need to panic especially if you don’t find suitable items. Websites to add to searches... Sportpursuit, Snowinn, Eko Sport, Glisshop...
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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 would recommend Ski Bartlett but I guess it may depend on where you are and how time you are have in London. At Profeet you'll certainly pay for the pleasure with their charge of £170 for the fitting on top of the cost of the boots themselves then any extras like insoles etc. Ski Bartlett don't charge a fitting fee.
I bought some boots at Ski Bartlett recently and was happy with their service.
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Thank you. We're honestly still torn, getting skiis doesn't seem too hard, Ski Bartlett we actually used about 7 years ago to buy for our first daughter on our last visit. Profeet and Ski Bartlett both say they will spend about 2 hours with you, fitters that we can find around Flachau (for example) say they can sort it out in about 30 minutes ... I think we maybe need to start in and around London and knock pieces of kit off one by one, if we don't feel comfortable with boots, well we'll probably be able to sort it out in and around St Johann where we are staying.
Do greatly appreciate your advice, in NZ where we come from there are only a few shops to buy from in total!
On a different topic, is snowheads a good place to ask questions for someone just starting out with ski touring and wanting to get gear angled that way?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@jonathanco, Samerberg Sue always recommended Rot Weiss Rot opposite the bottom of the grafenberg lift in Wagrain https://www.rot-weiss-rot.at/ I see they are also in Alpendorf. She took my niece there for boots and yes, about 30 minutes did it. That said I would only ever go to Profeet unless I absolutely had to buy somewhere else!
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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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On a different topic, is snowheads a good place to ask questions for someone just starting out with ski touring and wanting to get gear angled that way?
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Yes - lots of ski tourers here.
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@jonathanco, yep - as @holidayloverxx, says - get to Rot Weiss Rot at the bottom of the Wagrain lift, great shop, great service. Another fantastic shop is Sport 2000 in Altenmarkt, we have been using them for our family for over 10 years and many guests have made happy ski boot purchases too. There are a few of us snowheads living out here in Ski Amade, Wagrain is 20 mins from me. If you fancy meeting up then give us a shout. Ange 
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You know it makes sense.
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@jonathanco, Ive just read your other post further down the page. There are loads of shops here for skis, boots and clothes. The choice is vast from beginner to expert , the prices are standard and not inflated 'in resort' prices. For clothes, Decathlon is your friend for value, order it online or find a uk store. HTH Ange
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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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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| @jonathanco, Samerberg Sue always recommended Rot Weiss Rot opposite the bottom of the grafenberg lift in Wagrain https://www.rot-weiss-rot.at/ I see they are also in Alpendorf. She took my niece there for boots and yes, about 30 minutes did it. That said I would only ever go to Profeet unless I absolutely had to buy somewhere else! |
Sue took us to Rot Weiss Rot to hire skis when we were in Wagrain. They were very good, although Sue got extra special treatment. If you’re looking for lessons too we also used them for Jnr’s lessons and he loved them.
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