Bootfitter in SF or Tahoe

[marsound]

I need a recommendation for a good boot fitter. Hopefully one that has a somewhat PMTS-like approach. I can't make it out to Harald's shop and I need to deal with ill-fitting boots immediately. I've been told they're at least one shell size too big. Purchased from a supposedly reputable shop 2 seasons ago (who shall remain nameless) before I knew better...

The only PMTS alignment specialist that is within a reasonable driving distance (Maria Fermoile in Fresno) doesn't sell boots.

The Start Haus in Tahoe gets good reviews/comments on the other site, and The California Ski Company (closest to me), too. A search on this site turns up one recommendation for Start Haus, and one disapproval. Nothing on Cal Ski Co.

Is it reasonable to hope that either of these two shops would do a decent enough job so that I could refine with a PMTS alignment specialist, or would I be wasting my time?

I'm surprised there isn't a PMTS boot fitter/alignment specialist in the Tahoe area yet...

Thanks.

[Ray]

I would give a very strong recommendation to Christian Dennis at Elite Feet in Tahoe. The store is in the Squaw Creek Resort right near Squaw Valley. My wife and I purchased boots from him and he did an excellent job. There is a lift near the store (walking distance) which makes it easy to get adjustments. You will have to ask him about PMTS fitting to find out how knowledgeable he is about that. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor which makes the process fun.

[jbotti]

I bought my first pair of boots from Chrsitian when I started skiing 8 yeras ago. They were two sizes too large. I vowed never to do business there again. I can give a very strong recommendation the Start Haus. Jim Schaffner is a real pro and his staff is excellent. As for bootfitting, they do a superb job and when it comes to punching and grinding thay are aboslutely top shelf. Because they do not test on snow, their alignment assessment and alignment work is often not on the money and I don't use them for alignment (Harald and Diana do all of mine).

[Ray]

Before I bought my boots I "asked around" alot. I found out that there are three boot shops at Tahoe that have a very good reputation. They are Elite Feet, Cosmos Custom Footwerks and Start Haus. I got the impression that one will do well at any of those three. My wife has a weird foot and has had a foot operation. Christian at Elite Feet was very patient and made some adjustments and now she loves her boots. I have not purchased from the other two but I have heard they are excellent too. I agree that it would be best to go to Dumont for the boots but traveling to Colorado put that out of my budget (I live near SF). I hope this helps.

[marsound]

Thanks for the recommendations.

[nc]

Do not go to Cal Skis. The bootfitter dude there is an idiot.

In the North Shore, you have Elite Feet, Start Haus, and Cosmo. In Reno, you have Bud Heishman.

My last 2 pairs of ski boots were fitted by Pat on the South Shore. He used to own Tahoe Boot 'n Bike and is now working out of his garage.

http://www.tahoebootfitting.com/


I am not sure if any of them are PMTS "specialist".

[Max_501]

I can give a very strong recommendation the Start Haus. Jim Schaffner is a real pro and his staff is excellent. As for bootfitting, they do a superb job and when it comes to punching and grinding thay are aboslutely top shelf. Because they do not test on snow, their alignment assessment and alignment work is often not on the money and I don't use them for alignment (Harald and Diana do all of mine).

When jbotti speaks we listen.

[marsound]

Yep. Leaning towards Start Haus - not convenient, since I'm mainly at Kirkwood, but jbotti's (and others) recommendation is big. nc, I know of Pat and the old tahoe boot and bike (would have gone there if they still existed), but I'd like to avoid purchasing at one place and adjusting at another, especially if I'm not getting aligment done. Where do you buy your boots? (I'm assuming Pat doesn't sell anymore).

Someone please open a PMTS boot shop/alignment center in Tahoe!

[nc]

Pat does not sell anymore. I bought a pair of new Full Tilt last March online from evo.com, and then Pat worked on it.

Start Haus will carry the new Fischer Vacuum boots next year; so if you are planning on buying boots from the same bootfitter, Start Haus may very well be the one to talk to. Start Haus (username SierraJim & starthaus) posted on this thread. See

http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/100 ... me-changer

[ajax]

Do not go to Cal Skis. The bootfitter dude there is an idiot.

Can you elaborate please? I got my boots fitted there but I don't think I know enough to know the difference.

[nc]

Do not go to Cal Skis. The bootfitter dude there is an idiot.

Can you elaborate please?

My last pair of boots was Head RD96 plug with custom footbed; and before that I have purchased quite a few pairs of boots, all with custom footbed, alignment, canting, blah blah blah.

Before I ordered my Full Tilt, I went to Cal Skis as I called before hand and Cal Skis told me that it carried both Full Tilt and Dalbello Krypton. It did not have size 26 Full Tilt in stock but had size 26 Dalbello. Based on my internet research, I knew that Full Tilt runs about 1/2 size smaller than a Dalbello and is sized similar to plug sizing. My size 26 Head plug has a 300mm BL, while Full Tilt size 26 has a 301mm BL. Krypton is around 307mm, I believe.

I went to Cal Skis and was introduced to its head bootfitter. I was able to put on a size 26 Krypton without cooking the Intuition liner; he told me that that boot was my right size, and that Full Tilt runs bigger than Krypton. Both facts were wrong; and I knew that they were wrong while I was still inside the store.

Without cooking the Intution, I absolutely cannot put my feet into Full Tilt. The Dalbello is absolutely too big for me, but Cal Skis just wanted a sale and boots too big was not much of a concern apparently.

Without ever trying on a pair of size 26 Full Tilt and knowing that I could just send it back if it did not fit, I ordered a pair of Full Tilt. After cooking the Intuition liner by Pat and doing minor shell punching and alignment and canting adjustment, Full Tilt fits perfectly. One advantage of this new pair of boots is that for the first time in over 20 years, I do NOT have custom footbed and I like it without. The heat molded Intution liner doubles duty as a custom footbed. Usually my feet gets cramp due to the footbed and I have to unbuckle on every lift. Now I can wear my boots for hours without unbuckling.

[am-i-ghetto]

My wife is very happy with Bestfit Boots at Sugar Bowl. They have an advantage of being right at the hill and can make adjustments after a couple of runs. My wife is very fussy with her boots, uses only thin socks, and stops skiing if she feels any foot pain at all.

http://www.sugarbowl.com/best-fit-boot

I wish they were HH alignment trained. It's a near perfect location for on hill assessments. They were/are StartHaus bootfitters.

Steve

[ajax]

My last pair of boots was Head RD96 plug with custom footbed; and before that I have purchased quite a few pairs of boots, all with custom footbed, alignment, canting, blah blah blah.

Before I ordered my Full Tilt, I went to Cal Skis as I called before hand and Cal Skis told me that it carried both Full Tilt and Dalbello Krypton. It did not have size 26 Full Tilt in stock but had size 26 Dalbello. Based on my internet research, I knew that Full Tilt runs about 1/2 size smaller than a Dalbello and is sized similar to plug sizing. My size 26 Head plug has a 300mm BL, while Full Tilt size 26 has a 301mm BL. Krypton is around 307mm, I believe.

I went to Cal Skis and was introduced to its head bootfitter. I was able to put on a size 26 Krypton without cooking the Intuition liner; he told me that that boot was my right size, and that Full Tilt runs bigger than Krypton. Both facts were wrong; and I knew that they were wrong while I was still inside the store.

Without cooking the Intution, I absolutely cannot put my feet into Full Tilt. The Dalbello is absolutely too big for me, but Cal Skis just wanted a sale and boots too big was not much of a concern apparently.

Without ever trying on a pair of size 26 Full Tilt and knowing that I could just send it back if it did not fit, I ordered a pair of Full Tilt. After cooking the Intuition liner by Pat and doing minor shell punching and alignment and canting adjustment, Full Tilt fits perfectly. One advantage of this new pair of boots is that for the first time in over 20 years, I do NOT have custom footbed and I like it without. The heat molded Intution liner doubles duty as a custom footbed. Usually my feet gets cramp due to the footbed and I have to unbuckle on every lift. Now I can wear my boots for hours without unbuckling.

That sounds bad.

My own experience at Cal Skis was better. The bootfitter told me that I have a high volume foot and that the best boot for me was the Head Vector. I don't know if I actually do have a high volume foot but when I wear normal street shoes it feels like little toe side of my left foot is always hanging off the edge of the sole.

I did a search and Harald seems to like the Vector so at least the bootfitter didn't put me in a crappy boot. On the other hand, I believe at that time he was personally using the Krypton as his boot so take that for what it's worth. He said there was no way I would have been able to fit into a Raptor. I'm starting to think he may have been wrong.

I'm going to have to get someone to check my alignment though. The bootfitter did spend a lot of time checking my alignment and making adjustments, but my left knee just kills me after a day of skiing. This may have something to do with my skiing AC50s though.