![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Couldn't find this question on the forum so hopefully I'm not duplicating .........
I head out to Courchevel on 18th Dec for our first extended trip (whoop whoop!) so intend to invest in some new skis.
Can anyone recommend a place to test skis prior to buying? I've had some advice that the 'standard' ski shop/rental place might be too limited and I really want to be able to test out a number of different skis before committing to the (clearly unreachable but nonetheless economically sensible) nirvana of the 'one ski quiver.'
My youngest (who spent a season in Les Menuires pre-covid) recommended www.thebootlab.co.uk where he tested and bought skis - they have sites in Meribel & Courchevel by all accounts.
Anyone know of anywhere else?
(If it makes any difference, I'm looking for an All Mountain/Freeride ski for 50:50 on and off piste skiing)
Thanks!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sport 2000 in Meribel. I did a test day with them a few years ago and ended up loving Head Magnums after wanting to love K2 Recons and not. Been on Magnums ever since, updating every other year.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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I'm totally out of date but I had good service from Jean Blanc Sports in 1850. It is still going
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks @jedster,
From your comment and @Mollerski, looks like the fear of the ‘standard’ shop may be misplaced …….
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Meribel centre.
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+1 for The Bootlab.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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Just to finish off this thread (in case anyone is still watching! Or comes back to it in the future …….) we have used The Boot Lab in Meribel for both boots & skis. Their ski testing service is the best we found - none of the other shops had anywhere near the range of skis to try and TBH none of the French-owned shops seems even remotely interested in helping us spend our money there, so we were happy to oblige and go elsewhere.
The Boot Lab have (so far) supplied my new Armada Declivity 102 skis (how awesome are they??!) and Tecnica Cochise hybrid Alpine/Touring boots, plus one son’s new boots and soon-to-buy Nordica Navigator skis. The wife is also eyeing up the Nordica Santa Ana 93 skis. All the skis choices were made after multiple test days on numerous skis, and Gavin & the team at The Boot Lab have been awesome in their knowledge and support. We would definitely recommend using them!
https://thebootlab.co.uk/
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@JB25, Bootlab must love you. You've spent about £3k in there.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Mollerski, single handedly doing our best to keep the business in beer tokens it seems! Given the ban on UK residents entering France at the moment, we’re one of the few Brits around.
Being here for 7 weeks, it’s just as cheap (kind of) to buy as it is to rent (and yes, I am trying to justify it to myself)
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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JB25 wrote: |
@Mollerski, single handedly doing our best to keep the business in beer tokens it seems! Given the ban on UK residents entering France at the moment, we’re one of the few Brits around.
Being here for 7 weeks, it’s just as cheap (kind of) to buy as it is to rent (and yes, I am trying to justify it to myself) |
I do it piecemeal. That way I didn't spend the money.
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