Ready to have an amazing time on the slopes? Go ahead, tell me your secrets. Perfect parallel turns? Locking your knees? Edging down moguls like a champ? Nope. I think we both know the answer.
The best way to ensure a wonderful ski trip for a beginner is to simply have the right gear, and above all, the right boots.
If your boots don't fit, you just won't enjoy skiing.
Badly fitting ski boots suck. You will be in pain, you won't have much control, and you will be in the way when it's time to learn.
It's a snowballed misery, and frankly, with around 75% of ski injuries occurring during recreational skiing, buying good boots should be at the top of your priority list.
So let's get into it!
Ski boots are the most important purchase you will make.
Before you buy any other gear, before you even think about skis or poles, you have to start with boots.
Why? Simple. Your boots are your direct connection to your skis. If your boots fit correctly, every little movement you make is transmitted to your skis and through your skis to the snow.
You have complete control.
But if your boots don't fit…
Well, then it's kind of like trying to drive a car with a wobbly steering wheel.
You can't accelerate as quickly, your turns are less sharp, and it's easier to get frustrated.
Good skis can be rented at pretty much any resort.
But renting boots? Forget it. There is no rental business on the planet that can rent you the correct size, let alone the correct fit, for your unique set of feet.
That's why the first purchase most "serious" skiers make is a good pair of boots.
Beginners, on the other hand, are often after the most comfortable boots possible.
Pop into a ski shop, put on a pair of boots that feel like sneakers, and leave the store triumphant.
WRONG.
Boots that are too loose will lead to less control, which in turn leads to more frustration and a bad time all around.
Not to mention that those comfortable boots you "thought were perfect" are, more than likely, miles away from the "perfect" fit.
Achieving a good boot fit is the most common mistake made by beginners.
In order to obtain the correct fit, ski boots have to be tight.
Very, very tight.
No, they shouldn't be painful. But they should be tighter than any other shoe you own.
If you can wiggle your foot around inside your ski boots, they are way too big.
Here's how it works:
Ski boots use their own sizing system, Mondopoint. The boot sizing system measures the length of your foot, in centimetres.
Most rental and sales shops measure both the length and the width of your foot.
The point of this exercise is that your toes should be lightly touching the front of your boot when you stand up straight.
Don't panic.
This is normal. When you buckle up and lean forward, the heel slips back, and your toes have room to breathe.
The fit of your ski boots should be like a firm handshake. Firm, close, but not crushing.
Your heel should not lift at all, even when you are flexing forward.
Boots always feel tight when you first buy them.
The inner liner of a boot will compress and mould to the shape of your foot within a couple of days of skiing. When you buy ski boots, they will always feel tighter and more rigid than they will after a couple of days of skiing.
Trust us on this. The size you buy will seem like it's on the smaller side in the shop. But when you are on the mountain, they will feel like they were made for you.
Every pair of ski boots have what is called a flex rating.
This number simply tells you how much the boot resists you when you lean forward. The lower the number, the softer and more forgiving the boot will be. The higher the number, the stiffer the boot.
Beginners should be looking for a flex rating of between 70 and 90. This will give you the required support, but won't require too much muscle power to use.
Flex ratings are a bit of a grey area as they are not standardised across brands. So a 90 flex from one brand could potentially feel different to a 90 flex from another.
That's why it's important to try multiple brands.
Your body weight is also an important consideration. Heavier skiers can manage stiffer boots than lighter skiers.
For lighter skiers, it's best to err on the side of caution, and pick a flex rating on the lower end of the beginner scale.
The average beginner lesson costs about $100 per hour, so it makes sense to choose boots with the right flex rating, in order to progress at a faster rate and get the most out of your ski lessons.
Softer boots = more forgiving.
As a beginner, you will be making errors.
You will lean back when you should be leaning forward, and vice versa. You will shift your weight at the wrong time and push with the wrong foot.
A softer boot will have more give, and will forgive you for your mistakes.
As you improve, you can start to invest in stiffer, more "performance" oriented boots.
For now, the aim is to learn.
Beyond boot fit and flex, there are a couple of features that can make life easier for a beginner skier.
Look for boots with wide openings, and simple buckle systems.
You will be taking your boots on and off a few times throughout the day. Four buckle systems are standard, and are fine for beginners. Modern ski boots have introduced BOA dial systems which are even easier to adjust.
Some ski boots have a "walk mode" that unlocks the cuff.
This allows your ankle to move more freely when you are walking around the lodge, or walking to the ski lifts. It's not essential, but it's a nice feature that will help reduce fatigue.
Look for ski boots with multiple adjustment points.
Micro adjustable buckles allow you to fine tune the fit throughout the day. Adjustable power straps at the top of the boot help to lock the shin in place.
There are really just three factors that come into play when choosing the best ski boots for beginners:
Don't rush the process. Try multiple brands, and work with the sales staff to find the correct fit. It may take some time, but it will be worth it.
Boots will make or break your ski trip, so make the investment in a good pair.
The best boots will help you learn quicker, have more fun, and actually want to go skiing again.
Beginner ski boots should be snug but not painful. There should be no heel lift, and limited movement of your foot inside the boot.
Beginner ski boots should have a flex rating between 70 and 90.
We don't recommend buying ski boots online for the first time. Getting professionally fitted at a shop will ensure that you purchase the right size and the right model for your feet.
If properly cared for, ski boots will last an average of 100-150 ski days or approximately 5-8 years for recreational skiers. Replace boots when they no longer fit snugly.
