 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
Im about to embark on a season over in France, I am an intermediate skier but have never owned my own pair of boots. Looking at buying a pair and struggling to choose where to of for them. Ive got Snow and rock, Elis Brighman and Rivington Alpine near me. Obviously cost is a factor in the decision, but I want them to be right and not have to buy a new pair a couple of years down the line. Seems to be the likes of Snow and rock and Elis Brighman are the cheaper option- has anyone used them before and been happy with the service? Same with Rivington alpine over in Chorley?
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you can get up to Kendal @Lucia Stefani, Callum at Anything Technical is well worth a visit.
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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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@Lucia Stefani, I highly recommend Rivington Alpine. I’ve had two pairs of boots fitted there about ten years apart. Boot fitting is their main business and Graham the owner really knows his stuff. You do need to allow a good few hours for the assessment and fitting process because it is a really professional job. If you can easily get to Rivington Alpine this is your best option. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. It’s the right time of year for incoming stock, so look at getting fitted soon.
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@geepee, Thanks for that- I know prices fluctuate but any rough Idea what sort of cost Rivington comes in at? are they competitive?
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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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When you say you're doing "a season over in France" do you mean working a season over there, so basically in 1 resort for the whole period, or more of a retired/taking a sibatical to ski bum around France?
Certainly for the former I'd say wait till you're out there. First off if you have any issues with the fit and need to take them back for a tweak "5min from the bottom of the slope" is more useful than "1,000km away". Second either through whoever you're working for/friends you make/just being a regular face around town you should be able to get a deal from one of the shops, based on the whole "We'll do the boots for trade, and when a guest asks for a boot fitter recommendation..." back patting.
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@Mjit, Hi thanks for the reply, yes I will be working over there. I have thought about getting them over there although are you paying a lot more to buy in resort was my initial thought, I'll also would want to get the boots as soon as I'm able to ski out there. worth some thought though! thanks
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@Lucia Stefani, You'll probably have a better selection and no reason to be more expensive in France. Where are you going?
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@Lucia Stefani, first half be a bit careful when you are thinking about price and what is competitive.
Shops like Rivington will be more expensive because they will charge for the assessment and fitting process, will usually recommend a custom footbed which costs, usually won't have heavily discount the base boot as they know the market and won't overstock and are not big operations. BUT will get something that is a great fit, won't cause you any problems and you will be happy to wear 8 hours a day. And if something does crop up you can take them back and get them modified for free. The alternative at the larger/standard retailers or online is more hit and miss/hope. You may get a bargain/get lucky but more often than not you won't.
For a holiday skier buying locally or buying resort has pros/cons and is a bit of a coin toss IMO. For you it might well swing more towards buying in resort for the reasons @under a new name states. My only caveat would be that you don't have boots at all currently. One option is to buy something second hand (for obvious reasons resale value can be pretty low) to get you through the first couple of weeks while you sort out something new and fully customised.
There is a sticky boot thread on here that you could peruse to get a flavour of views/info.
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=20110&start=1320
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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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Obviously it depends on the type of boot your looking for, an intermediate piste boot isn't the same as a race boot or a hybrid boot with walk modes etc.
Your biomechamics also play a huge part in deciding the best boot for you.
Buy cheap, buy twice.
Rivington Alpine are your best bet. Graham will take as long as it takes to get you right and any adjustments will be included. You might bet a cheaper deal at the chain stores but in general their fitters don't have the depth of knowledge that the independents like RA have, nor do they have the time to spend getting it spot on.
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| andy n netty wrote: |
Rivington Alpine are your best bet. Graham will take as long as it takes to get you right and any adjustments will be included. |
How is this possible if he can’t get any feedback from the OP skiing on them? Walking around in a shop for a few minutes is not the same as skiing on them all day in freezing cold / Spring warm conditions.
If the OP has « normal » feet then she’ll probably be fine in whatever a decent fitter puts her in, but if she needs adjustments she’s going to end up paying for them in resort.
Not necessarily a huge deal but certainly worth keeping in mind.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@under a new name, Im off to Morzine! thanks for all advice all, definitley now thinking Rivington or buying in resort! thanks for the help!
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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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@Lucia Stefani, Since you are going to France for work I assume that your language skills are up to a technical discussion in France. When I bought some boots in France I had a French women to translate for me. Even so I ended up with boots slightly too short. Ski boots always seem to be on the wide side and while I was discussing that I wanted them a closer fit I ended up with them too short. The shop lacked the facility to lengthen them so I ended up minus one big toe nail.
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@Lucia Stefani, being as where you are going i would say 100% Rivington Alpine, if you don't mind driving up to Chamonix where you will find a boot fitter then out in France will be ok, but there isn't really a boot fitter left in Morzine, the last one sold up 9 years ago
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You know it makes sense.
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If you're going to Morzine I'd deffinetly hold off and buy in France. Loads of shops actually in competition with one another and a large non-French seasonare community, so you won't get treated like a punter.
Normally your employeer will be linked up with a hire shop who'll do at least discounted season kit rentals for staff on the "We give you cheap/free kit and you bring every kit-less punter our way" principle. When you go in say "I need to hire some boots right now but I'm looking to buy - but can come in when you're not busy to do that.". Gets the foot in the door that you're looking to buy but also know punters come first - and depending on job you'll end up with random days off like Tuesdays, and the hire shop really won't be busy on your average Tuesday at (whatever time you got up after your hangover). And of course you've also bought yourself time to make friends and get introduced to another shop/boot fitter who may offer you a better deal.
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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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Boot fitters don't always change for the “assessment and fitting process” – I've never been charged for it, not directly anyway. It's always been included in the price of the boots, thought they may be sold closer to RRP than other items in the same shop that have more of a margin on them. Foot beds cost extra - about £50, and many people (including me) never ski without them.
If you are out for the season, buy in resort and return for adjustments as you need them. I would not expect the price to be higher – it may well be lower, and there is likely to be more choice. However, still go on reputation – if no-one here can give a recommendation for Morzine specifically (or you may have to travel to another nearby resort), then wait till you get there and ask around among people who have been in the area longer.
Edit: I saw CEM's post after. Drive to Chamonix, it's not so far that you can't go back if you need to.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Mon 2-10-23 16:19; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Lucia Stefani, in Morzine: Jamie at All Mountain Rentals, Eric in FB Sports ... etc.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@Lucia Stefani, yeah also Chamonix; Niklas & Niklas at Concept, the crew at SOLE, and Jules (if he hasn't retired) at Sanglard.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you are not looking for Race Boots, you will be surprised by the quality of Decathlon products..... Go for it !
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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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@thierryd, we purchased our last kids (older teens) from Decathlon as they were still growing and we didn't want to break the bank for them.
They've been OK in the interim but I wouldn't recommend them long term or for someone doing a season. To be more specific there are little pinch points, support/hold is a bit flimsy and one of them gets very wet and takes an absolute age to dry out.
The eldest is now 18 and has stopped growing so has had a visit to S4F.
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| Layne wrote: |
@thierryd, we purchased our last kids (older teens) from Decathlon as they were still growing and we didn't want to break the bank for them.
They've been OK in the interim but I wouldn't recommend them long term or for someone doing a season. To be more specific there are little pinch points, support/hold is a bit flimsy and one of them gets very wet and takes an absolute age to dry out.
The eldest is now 18 and has stopped growing so has had a visit to S4F. |
My wife and myself having Decathlon boots for the very last 3 years (and Decathlon skis). We are skiing 4 to 5 weeks a year and there great. Our daugther needs race skis and boots so it's another story in terms of price and models..... 
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Who do we think makes Decathlon's boots? 2nd stock Rossi?
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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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@thierryd, glad they work for you. I have nothing against Decathlon - I buy other stuff from there.
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Hi.
You must be up near me if you are mentioning Rivington. Ventura Ski near Haydock is great and the owner is very well respected. I believe he has something to do with the GB set up
Great little shop that specialises in hardware
https://venturaski.co.uk/
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@thierryd, skis are one thing, boots I think not the same. For a long time the skis were, I believe, B-stock from Rossignol and Dynastar.
Not criticising, hasten to add.
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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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| under a new name wrote: |
@thierryd, skis are one thing, boots I think not the same. For a long time the skis were, I believe, B-stock from Rossignol and Dynastar.
Not criticising, hasten to add. |
It seems now they are managing their stuff in term of R&D. Factories are indeed not theirs but it's not white label products.
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@Lucia Stefani, I was in PDS area for several weeks a few years ago. I drove over to Cham for wife and my boots. Take your chance if you wish but if someone like CEM is telling you what to do it's probably the safest option. For what it's worth I've had boots from Sole boot lab in cham and from CEM
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You know it makes sense.
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Morzine Seasonaire?
1st) Chamonix - to get the right boots in the first place.
2nd) Morzine - convenient for after-sales.
3rd) UK - if half price, and you have normal feet, but 2nd pair in Morzine if they don't work out.
Unless, of course, you don't just want to buy off the shelf ski boots (not normal), and are able to splurge out on custom fitting/consultancy, foam/thermofit liners, etc. Then ignore the above.
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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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Outdoor Action at Blackburn been around for years , competitive prices with 2 decent fitters
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Poster: A snowHead
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Outdoor Action at Blackburn been around for years , competitive prices with 2 decent fitters
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Lucia Stefani, In your situation i'd buy in Morzine - RA are great but not very convenient as back up if you are in resort for the season, if you buy locally out there you can call into the shop as often as you like for minor adjustments after the initial fitting.
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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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@crosbie, @Markymark29, don't know if it's true but according to CEM above "there isn't really a boot fitter left in Morzine, the last one sold up 9 years ago". Perhaps there are shops that sell boots, off the peg as it were, but not that fit boots.
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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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| BobinCH wrote: |
| andy n netty wrote: |
Rivington Alpine are your best bet. Graham will take as long as it takes to get you right and any adjustments will be included. |
How is this possible if he can’t get any feedback from the OP skiing on them? Walking around in a shop for a few minutes is not the same as skiing on them all day in freezing cold / Spring warm conditions.
If the OP has « normal » feet then she’ll probably be fine in whatever a decent fitter puts her in, but if she needs adjustments she’s going to end up paying for them in resort.
Not necessarily a huge deal but certainly worth keeping in mind. |
20+ years experience fitting will help and if you think the process at Rivington involves "walking around in a shop for a few minutes" you couldn't be more wrong. Chill Factor-e is 30 mins away and you can return anytime for tweaks. They have a skiers edge machine so you can work the boots in a lateral/ski movement as well.
A good fitter is a good fitter wherever their shop front is.
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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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@Lucia Stefani, are you working your season? If so, it might be worth asking your employer if there is likely to be a local seasonaire's discount for kit in the resort, and/or anyone they have a business relationship with who offers them a deal. I'm not saying don't buy in the uk before you leave, but it's worth at least making that enquiry. Usually buying kit in resort is expensive (captive audience etc), but different rules can apply to temporary underpaid "locals".
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Lucia Stefani, are you working your season? If so, it might be worth asking your employer if there is likely to be a local seasonaire's discount for kit in the resort, and/or anyone they have a business relationship with who offers them a deal.
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