ski bum new gear resources

[Fritz]

can anyone recommend any good forums (like this) where one could research alpine ski gear?

I was skiing this past weekend (it was awesome, thanks) and my 10yo soloman shattered at days end.
They were mid entry boots, which I gather are no longer popular for the average skier.

I ended up in 4 buckle front entry head boots that were good, considering I didn't have my orthotics in.
I met no trees, so they must have not hindered my 10 year ski break.

so I'm looking for adult input not smart a$$ lurker opinions.
Looking to keep it to around $300 or less.

[davester]

You're skiing? Where? How? Apparently not here out west where there's no snow. Sorry, I can't help you with your quest. I'm totally bummed that I have had zero skiing day this winter. Thank your lucky stars that you've been able to actually slide down a mountain.

[M A V I C]

Ski boots are one of those things where if you don't really know them, find a good shop to help you out. What can fit great for a bunch of people, might not work for you. Get a good fitting and it will be worth it. My wife doesn't have skis or poles, she rents those. But she tried a lot of boots and finally found a pair that made it all so much easier.

You're skiing? Where? How? Apparently not here out west where there's no snow. Sorry, I can't help you with your quest. I'm totally bummed that I have had zero skiing day this winter. Thank your lucky stars that you've been able to actually slide down a mountain.

Sometimes I find interesting how much we have in common, yet some things so different.

[Markintosh]

What MAVIC said about fitting your specific foot is spot on. You won't likely get good advice at a big box type sporting goods store. Support a local shop and try a lot of boots. Personally I like the Dalbello cabrio shell design.

As far as ski forums - my friend runs Epicski, which has a very active forum and tends to be a bit more civilized than some of the others:

http://www.epicski.com/f/65/on-the-snow-skiing-forums

[Fritz]

I was in Sugarbush, Warren Vt. Excellent spring skiing. I hadn't been in a decade.
Thanks for the forum rec. That will at least, I hope, give me some ideas.
I can't remember where I bought my 'sploded Solomans. I think it was a local shop that use to be good.
Not so sure now.
Wish I had another day to explore in Vt and get some end of season deal.

[DavidS]

I second the Barking Bear/EpicSki Forums. I haven't used them much this year, but they are a very friendly group, similar to what we have here.

This is the time of year to look for end of season clearance. Do some research on http://www.skinet.com/ski/gear/boots and then go try on a bunch of boots. Where you go to try on depends on where you live. If you are out west or in the northeast, near some ski resorts, a big box store may be okay. Otherwise, I'd look for smaller ski shops where the sales people know their product.

There is not much snow this year in Tahoe, but Colorado and Utah are doing fine.

[Fritz]

hard to believe a slow year in Tahoe.
last time we skied there, there was a 6' dump or something overnight.
I was shocked to see the roads cleared to the pavement by am.
Heavenly is a fave.

[Lizabeth]

The Mountainside Ski service at sugarbush is good, I got my boots there and Dave, who used to work there and fitted my boots is now over at Mad River Glen.

The important thing is to find a place that is thorough and has a wide selection of boots to try on and compare.

Another idea is your local ski club, they would have recommendations for local places for boots and a good boot fitter.

I made the mistake of forgetting my ski boots last week and rentals just didn't cut it compared to my perfectly fitted boots - I have a narrow width and most rentals are too wide. I love, love my Langes!!!

BTW Mad River Glen has been having an "epic" year for snow. And lucked out at Telluride in February with a 24 inch dump while out there.