 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
Can anyone recommend a ski shop anywhere around London, apart from the two in Covent Garden and hopefuly a bit cheaper than that? I am after some ski boots and I wouldn't mind driving a bit out of London, but I can't find anything. There used to be a shop in Esher, but I see they are closing down and they don't answer the phone so I take it they are gone.
Thanks,
Dan
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've found these guys pretty good and am certainly v happy with the boots they fitted me last year http://www.edgeandwax.co.uk/ Don't know if they are particularly cheap, IMO service and product knowledge is more important than saving a few quid esp when buying boots.
The shop in Esher was SandownActiveSports who have indeed gone, which I have to say doesn't surprise me.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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www.skee-tex.co.uk in Battlesbridge Essex, accessible by train from London on the branch line out of Liverpool street stn. my local mob and I've never read anything bad about them. I was recommended to get my boots from there and did.
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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.
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Europa Ski Lodge, in Surbiton. I've always found them very helpful, but they aren't very cheap.
http://www.europaskilodge.co.uk/
Specifically for boots, profeet (various branches). Definitely not cheap, but very professional.
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Decathlon, if you know what you want.
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Thanks guys, a lot of good pointers here. I will have a look around. Might try the ones in Surbiton first as that is nearest to me.
Decathlon is online only, isn't it? I might know what I want, but I would never buy boots without trying them on first. Besides, I forgot to mention that I am looking for boots for my wife. Now you can grasp how important it is to try them first 
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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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iskander, There certainly is (or was??) a big Decathlon at Surrey Quays shopping centre which had a lot of ski stuff.
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And there's always Slush & Rubble out at Chertsey. Not that I'm recommending them but sometimes you can get a good deal.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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ege 2 edge crawley
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+1 for Barts
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You know it makes sense.
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Decathlon has a huge store at Canada Water/Surrey Quays but they don't stock a huge range of manufacturers' products. In my experience they don't list everything they have in store on the website and not everything on the website is available in every store, but it'll tell you if that's the case.
If you know what you want it's worth a visit, I've gone in there not wanting anything in particular and come out with fishing, camping, golfing and skiing toys/tools.
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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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Thanks guys. I might go to Surrey Quays, even though it is a bit of a journey. It looks like Decathlon has pretty good prices, and whilst I agree with the people saying that good product knowledge is better than saving a few quid, when the few turn into several hundereds, and considering that they are for my wife who only skies for a few hours a day about 6 days per year, things get a different perspective
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ellis Brigham has a shop at the Milton Keynes indoor ski dome. I bought my boots there then tried them out on the slope and left them with them to modify a couple of pressure points. Picked them up the next time I went.
Mind you I now prefer the Hemel Hempstead dome but I have a feeling their branch of Snow and Rock doesn't have a workshop which means they might have to send the boots away. You'd have to phone and ask.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I rate Finches if you need proper boot fitting . We get our families' skis serviced there and have bought skis , boots and helmets over the past few years. Advice and service is good and worth paying for.
Decathlon has some great deals and if like me you have straightforward feet and have no problems with boots , fine. Again we have bought from them.
No connnection with either save that I regularly empty the contents of my wallet into their tills !
John
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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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If you are to the South or West of London then Snow and Rock in Chertsey might be convenient. Not the cheapest but it's where I got my wife sorted with her boots and she was happy with the results. Good service - go for the custom footbeds.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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You could try Beans of Bicester. £15 train ride from Marylebone and the opportunity to pick up some bargains in the North Face and Helly Hansen stores at Bicestr Village. 
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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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Bicester Village... 
My smelling is ribbish.
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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 about http://www.profeet.co.uk/skiing/ in Fulham? Specialist ski boot fitting with computer thingys... My mate with weird hobbit feet has spent a few hours having his feet squished into powder blue girly boots there, and they seem to have sorted him out, eventually. But if you've got normal feet just buy the cheapest deal from S&R... 
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Are Filarinskis in Havant still going? They were very good when I used them. Alternatively, Ski Surf Ecosse come highly recommended. You see, given the urban sprawl that is now London, one can classify these shops as being within the orbit of the capital!
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Thanks folks. I used Decathlon in Surrey Quays and they were excellent. I found decent boots at a very good price, and the service wasn't too bad neither. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.
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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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| tobymory wrote: |
Bicester Village...
My smelling is ribbish. |
I went to Bicester village at the weekend, and it was pants for ski stuff, just so very limited. The Helly and North Face had jackets and gloves, very limited salopettes in Helly, none in North Face. The Tog 24 shop seems to have disappeared too. There is a Cotswold Outdoor just down the road though, and as you say Beans.
However, if you are recommending Bicester for a trip to get boots (and Iskander wasn't already sorted!), Solutions 4 Feet would be worthwhile getting an appointment for.
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I second Finches. My kids love it - run around its warren like back rooms and chase the dogs while I drool at technical fabrics. Strange but true.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Is John Pollock still open in Loughton??
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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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Many years ago I worked for Frank at Finches, mainly doing ski servicing and doing the round of ski shows. It was great fun-Frank is a lovely fellow and has real panache and a love for skiing. Fun times, especially all the beers on the road between London, Birmingham, Southampton, Bristol etc setting up the world's most complicated timber stand at the various shows!!!
You'll get a good standard of service at Finches and, as an absolute rule, always go to an independent over a chain any day: Edge and Wax, Europa, Captain's Cabin, Profeet and Finches are all much better bets for boots in the South East than the 'biggies'-why risk it?
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chrisdavis, had a note from them a few months ago they sold out to Nomad Travel to focus on the Marque business, they are still selling ski gear but very limted boots and ski's.
There is a big Decathlon at Lakeside.
Finches is good,
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