 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello!
I was hoping for some advice about buying my first pair of ski boots (I have previously rented). I have had some different advice about the pros and cons of buying my boots here or at the resort. I am going to Zell am See in Austria.
I was wondering if there were any thoughts on whether it is best to buy the boots here (I live in the North West) or at the resort? Also, if there are any recommendations for a good boot fitters in, or close to, Zell am See?
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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Rivington Alpine is the default suggestion for NW, Adlington near Chorley.
I bought my boots in UK and had a few snowdome sessions to check all ok ( it was). I made a 5 hour round trip to get mine. I also once bought some in resort which lead to huge blisters and not much fun. They were from a recommended fitter also, but I think he had the wrong glasses on that day!
N=1 I know, but I'd rather by here from a decent fitter and sort out troubles before I go, than spend 2 days in a shop getting it sorted only to later find out they are a size too big......
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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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IMHO You should buy in the resort and only from a shop that has a trained and experienced bootfitter.
Buy on day 1 and keep going back until the are comfortable and give you good edge control. Pay extra if required.
Boots that fit well are the best investment you can make .
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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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@LJ25, +1 for Rivington , also good are backcountry uk in Yorkshire and sail and ski chester
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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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+1 for Rivington!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I would buy in the UK - but whilst there are good stocks still in. Rivi Alpine may indeed be your best and nearest bet, otherwise I'd favour other independents over Decathlon, Snow & Rock, Ellis Brigham, etc (although if you have easy to fit feet then they're certainly worth a visit and may have branches near you to browse and do prelim enquiries at - Castleford and Chill Factore domes, Manchester, doubtless other cities). Glide & Slide at Otley won't be too far, also Anything Technical at Kendal.
BUT - give yourself time to go to a dome (Chill Factore?) a couple if times to bed them in, make sure they don't need tweeks etc, before you go away.
Buying in resort has the advantage of being able to go back for adjustments that week, but what about other weeks and years?
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another +1 for Rivington
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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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Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my question. I have found it really helpful reading your responses.
Rivington Alpine and Anything Technical are quite local to me so I will look at these options first. Are they both as good as each other?
Thanks again.
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+ 1 Graham @ Rivington... Bought mine 3 years ago, needed them tweaking slightly for this year and all done for free as part of superb aftersales.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I say buy in the UK. Pre book an appointment. Someone with a reputation to maintain like Graham has far more vested interest in you getting a good fit than the majority of resort fitters, who might do their best but know you'll be gone by the end of the week and likely never to return. Plus they'll be busy at the times you have free to go to buy boots unless you're planning on taking the first day off for boot shopping.
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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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@LJ25, don't know "anything technical" but only experienced good things from Rivington , id say give graham a call and discuss your needs and go from there , as people say above get the fitted and bedded in before going to the alps , thus saving precious skiing time in resort . also if the boots are fitted right in first place I think they need to be skied for a good few days before thinking of tweaks as the liners soon pack down , just be prepared for a much snugger fit than your used to renting 
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| LJ25 wrote: |
| Rivington Alpine and Anything Technical ... Are they both as good as each other? |
They should both know what they are talking about. Both do the same custom insoles last time I had some made (by both). RA probably have the reputational edge as specialists, but it depends if you need anything much more than an off the shelf fit anyway.
AT probably have a smaller range than RA, and both may stock different makes/models (or may not). RA can probably get more options in for you than AT if you need, but won't necessarily have them in first time, so be prepared for 2 trips. Depends also on your gender and boot size.
RA might be busier and will need appointment making; AT can be walk-in.
Best to phone or pop into both, tell them your size, needs, whatever you already know about your feet and any problems you have, then take it from there.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hello!
Thank you again everyone for the very helpful comments. It looks like Rivington will be a really good option and is actually closer for me. I will give them a call.
Thanks!
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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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I’m another very satisfied Rivington Alpine customer
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Poster: A snowHead
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another vote here for rivington alpine
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Rivington for me too. Just been for some tweaking on mine. Graham knows every boot shape and style inside out.
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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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My experience is that you find much better expertise at most ski resorts than in UK ski shops, even places like the overpriced Snow and Rock.
You pay more, especially in a trendy resort, but they do a better job of fitting.
They also have more stock. Ski boots come in a vast range of sizes, because skiers' feet do. The problem is that a lot of skiers are large blokes, so unless you are the size of a gorilla, most ski boots stocked will be too big.
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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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@Peter Stevens, eh? Specialists like solutions 4 feet and profeet carry a wide range of boots in a wide range of sizes and are professional bootfitters not 'ski shops'.
Laughing at 'even places like Snow and Rock ' . Not many folk on here would go there unless it was a particularly good one with recommendations
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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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@Peter Stevens, ha ha, make your mind up! In one sentence you refer to S&R as overpriced, in the next you say that you pay more in resort.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Fabian at Intersport Brundl in Kaprun. Used to work for the Austrian ski team. I believe that the fitting is free if you purchase the boots.
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