Snow Ski Equipment - Getting Fitted
• Wear Appropriate Socks: Although this sounds like a no-brainer, you would be amazed at how many people show up at ski shops in stockings or peds. Wear a pair of ski socks when you get your boots fitted.
• Try Them in the Afternoon or Evening: This is when your feet are the largest.
• Flex Your Knees: Are your heels down? Good. If your heels come up, choose another pair. Also, you should be able to press your shins against the tongue of the boot. If you can’t do this, the boots are too stiff.
• Toe the Line: When you are standing up straight, the tips of your toes should just touch the front of the boot. Likewise, your toes should move away from the tip when you bend your knees.
• Shell Shock: Shell fit is crucial, because it cannot be changed. You can check the shell by removing the liner from the inner boot. While your toes are touching the front of the boot, place your index and middle finger between your heel and the back of the shell. If your fingers do not fit, the boot is too small. If there is a good deal of room left over, the boot it too big.
As you begin to advance, recreational boots will help you improve your carving technique. They are also designed to handle quick turns and bumpy terrain. High-tech features are often added to performance boots, which sometimes target specific skill sets such as backcountry skiing, freestyle or moguls. In contrast, expert boots are made for highly aggressive skiers and ski racers. These stiff boots may be uncomfortable for recreational skiers.
Be prepared to try on a variety of boots from different manufacturers. Keep in mind that some manufacturers specialize in boots for wider feet, others for feet that are narrower. Ask you friends to suggest a knowledgeable salesperson who will be able to make suggestions. For more personalized attention, go to the ski shop early in the season, when sales people can spend enough time helping you make a decision. Some skiers prefer to compare two brands simultaneously. They like to try one boot on one foot and another brand on the other. If you do this, don’t make a snap decision. Keep the boots on for about 15 minutes. Walk around the store, and experiment with skiing edging movements to see which boot feels better. Eventually, if you find yourself hooked on skiing, you will want to engage the services of a professional boot fitter. Professionally installed foot beds and ski boot alignment will work wonders on your ski technique.
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