SKIERS aspiring to perform at their best need to have the right ski boot. And not just any boot, but the boot that fits your foot. After all, no two feet are ever the same.

Ski boots combined with the essential footbed inserts will allow you the best direct feel from boot to ski for greater performance skiing.

Snowy Mountains Magazine sought out the minds of two of the best boot fitters based in Jindabyne. And in the boot fitting business, experience is everything.

The Boot Fitter

As a top end instructor trainer and boot fitter for 33 years Andy Burford knows feet and boots, plus the most common ski boot problems, pain. Andy says pain is often the result of too much pressure on the top of the foot.

"Usually that persons got a very high instep and when they get fitted with ski boots, the boots are too tight right from the word go resulting in numb feet. Boots, like feet have many different shapes and sizes, and correctly fitting from the beginning is key," said Andy.

Problem solving is part of the business and Andy has seen feet floating in boots too many times.

"Typically, this results in sore shins and then people buckle down as tight as possible to try and stop the foot from moving around. So, the combination of the boot being too big, and the shape all wrong for the foot, and then trying to secure the foot results in so many problems."

"At the end of the day, it's matching a ski boot to the shape of the foot and leg into the performance level of the customer. That's it in a nutshell."

For new clients Andy has regular procedures to select the correct boot. "You might find two or three boots that might suit that foot. Sometimes you may only find one and then other scenarios, you won't find one exactly. Then you have to start stretching and shaping that boot to get a good marriage between the plastic on the shell and the shape of the foot."

Andy's new shop location at the Bullocks Flat Skitube Terminal is ideal for customers, and closer to the mountains. People can easily visit on their way to Thredbo and Perisher or via Skitube down from Perisher Valley. This is perfect for new boots, those minor tweaks or for any overnight boot work required.

The Boot Fitter – Bookings via website www.thebootfitter.com.au

Last Run

Peter Bird from Last Run is a veteran in the business. He says boot choice is based on foot shape, length, width, volume and general shape plus he considers stance an important part.

"Flat foot versus high arch, pronated verses supinated. Then flex of the boot is taken into account. How much can a client flex the boot? Too much flex will overdrive the ski. Too little will place the skier on the back foot with skis going out from under them," said Peter.

When commenting on fit and comfort Peter is also adamant choosing the right boot shape is paramount from the start. "An experienced boot fitter will know the stock they carry and be able to select the right boot to fit the customer."

When asked about feet, he said some customers have had missing toes and a customer who had a life–ending bone wasting disease and just wanted to ski with his daughter. "These are just some that require thinking outside the ski boot box."

Last Run – By appointment only – phone – 64572472 www.lastrun.com.au