 Poster: A snowHead
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I’ve spent the last two winters skiing in Europe and I’m tired of renting equipment. Especially boots, which rarely fit right. I’m moving from Scotland to Bruneck/Brunico, Italy, in a week to spend the season skiing at Kronplatz. I assumed I could just buy whatever I needed there, but an online search does not give me confidence that this is true. I want to buy a new pair of Volkl Kendo 88s, but they don’t appear to be stocked anywhere near there. And the only reference to boot fitting in the area is a Facebook page that has yet to respond.
Can anyone recommend an expert boot fitter and quality ski shop in Bruneck/Brunico/Kronplatz?
Alternatively, I’m traveling by train and could stop along the way to get properly fit and get the skis I want, should anyone have specific advice. Munich? Innsbruck? Bolzano? Anywhere else between the UK and Kronplatz? (I read about Sole Boot Lab in Chamonix, but that is too far out of my way.)
I do see that I can order the skis I want online, but I don’t know my address in Italy yet, and if I wait until I check into my AirBnB, they will take too long to arrive.
I basically want to acquire the desired equipment without wasting too much of my 90-day visa not skiing, or having to rent while waiting for equipment to arrive.
Any advice is 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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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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https://www.fedebootfitting.com/ ? Just googling, no prior knowledge.
As for the skis, you're on a train line that goes to Lienz, via Drei Zinnen, I'd be surprised if there wasn't somewhere that could get them in for you.
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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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@Riccardo, I'm fairly sure that CEM has recommended Fede.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sports Conrad should have the skis you want and should be good for fitting boots. They have a shop in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Brunecko should have good sports shops, it's a very nice town. Make sure you visit the Messner mountain museum while there. Closed on Mondays.
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@Teletart, what makes you think Conrad are good boot fitters?
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They are a very reputable ski and mountain shop. I've not bought boots from them, but lots of other ski equipment
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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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Another vote for H&N, I haven’t used them personally as I have relatively easy feet but it is where any one (including my Son) from around here goes if they have problem feet.
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@Teletart, cheers, so a good retailer doesn't make a good boot fitter IMHO, it's a very specialised job and not based on the amount of boots you sell! Selling boots is very different to fitting boots.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Fede is who I found and messaged. I hope they get back to me. One reviewer commented that they only stocked Lange and Head. Plus, I’m a size 12 (US), and I worry that I’d turn up, get measured, and they’d say, come back in two weeks. I can’t take another day in rental boots, none of which I can ever buckle tight enough at the top, and most of which hurt in some way.
The Volkl web site says the nearest to Bruneck that the Kendo 88s in my size are in stock are the three Sport Conrad shops south of Munich. They do list them being “out of stock” at the Sportler Alpin shop in Bruneck. So maybe I could get them to order me some, but I wonder how long that takes. Even if the bootfitters near Munich aren’t world class, I can see the appeal of stopping there and getting all this stuff in hand.
It’s been so long since I had my own equipment, I don’t know how the process works. If I ordered skis and bindings for delivery, I assume I leave them unmounted until I have my boots, right? Does mounting bindings require rare expertise, or do all ski shops do that?
Thanks for your replies.
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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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@mikxe, easy bit,
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Does mounting bindings require rare expertise, or do all ski shops do that?
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I'd think that more or less all shops can cope with that. Regarding Fede only stocking two brands, if they're really good that truly doesn't matter. THey're fitting the boots to your feet, not the other way around.
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@mikxe, you could get boots fitted in Scotland - my normal goto would be Craigdon Edinburgh but think the shop is still under renovation. Ellis Brigham at Braehead but not sure of present status since snow slope closed down.
If you can stop off in Bicester on your way then CEM (solutions 4 feet) would be my choice.
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You know it makes sense.
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@mikxe, There are many excellent ski equipment suppliers in Munich (as you would expect they sell a lot of ski kit). Arguably the best for boots is https://svenrenz.cc/ they will customise racing boots if you need them and have the budget. More practically either Sports Schuster https://www.sport-schuster.de/?force_sid=9fmqmi5geajv9n6cve17kkm5pc or Sport Scheck https://www.sportscheck.com/filialen/muenchen/#termin are the two big shops in the centre, best make an appointment if you want to buy boots and want an English speaking person (though in reality 95% of people will speak well nigh perfect English). I would guess one or both of the above will sell Völkl skis. There are many other places too potentially cheaper. Schuster's maybe have the edge for knowledgeable sales staff.
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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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@mikxe, a lot will depend on when you are actually going, worst case they don't have the right boot at that point ask them what you need and see if they know where you can source it, that might mean another shop and take it back for fitting.... but it is the same for everyone, we don't always have the right thing, but we would rather send someone away then compromise the fit the bigger issue is your size, UK12 isnt that big but the choices do start to diminish around there.... i would stand on a piece of paper against a wall, mark the end of your longest toe and measure the cm length of your foot, this will give you a better idea of the maximum size you are looking for (it is not completely accurate as other factors come into play but it is a starting point)
if you want Scotland, try karla at craigdon in perth
the two stores in munich are a little hit and miss from what we have seen back here, but also in munich (not sure if he is only doing touring though) is Blacksheep sports
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Poster: A snowHead
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@mikxe, regarding the skis. Could you message your Airbnb host, tell them the situation, and ask if you can get the skis posted to them? Obviously it comes with a risk, but you're staying with them for 3 months, it's unlikely they'd steal your skis.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My boots are from H&N in Reith. 4074 bus from Brixlegg. Very professional. Make an appointment. You may not get Hannes or Norbert, but they supervise any younger fitters. They will fit you properly, dont charge for that time, and may even do you a modest discount on RRP.
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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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Thank you all for your helpful replies. I just got a pair of Lange Shadow 120 LV in Munich, at Sport Schuster, which munich-irish recommended above. The 3-hour process started with standing on a grid machine in special socks and getting my foot stats. I have narrow feet, with high arches. The guy recommended Lange and Head, coincidentally the two brands on offer at FEDE (discussed above), which is at my final destination in the Dolomites. The Langes felt much better, but needed adjustments. A new pair of insoles instantly increased my arch support. Then the fellow spent a couple hours on numerous rounds of tweaks to relieve pressure points, mainly the outer sides of my ankle bones. He also adjusted the rivets on the two top buckles so I could buckle them tighter. First choice would’ve been to get fitted at FEDE, but I couldn’t get them to commit to an appointment. I was impressed by the Sport Schuster people. I also spent some time in the ski department and would’ve bought my skis/bindings/poles there, too, but they didn’t have any ski roller bags in stock. I’m a full-time traveler and already carry a carry-on roller, a small backpack, a duffel bag and an oversized ukulele. I want to get a DB Snowroller 70L, which will hold all my ski stuff and roll in conjunction with my carry on in one hand, but none were available in Munich. Now I have to hope that my desired other ski equipment is available in Brunico. Anyway, there you have it. Thanks again!
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