COSkiGirl - 2011-09-24 1:10 PM
twomarks - 2011-09-23 2:59 PM
Helmet for a few reasons:
- Park City's cold and it will help keep you toasty
- It will help when some snowboarder comes screaming down the hill out of control and takes you out (if you're a responsible snowboarder - thank you for setting a good example - recklessness on either skis or a snowboard is inexcusable, but the ability to avoid a run-in seems to be much lower on the snowboard)
If you're going to buy gear there - make sure you go by SureFoot - I think they're in two locations at the base of two resorts. I don't ski often, but made to fit ski boots are a luxury I was happy to shell out hard earned money for.
twomarks
While I wholeheartedly agree that well fit boots are very important I disagree that SureFoot is the way to go. They charge a lot of money for a not great job. I battled a pair that I got there for 2.5 years before buying a new pair and being fit elsewhere. There are fantastic bootfitters all over the world. Here is a link to SKI magazine's list of the top 15. Number 11 is in Park City. http://www.skinet.com/ski/galleries/15-best-bootfitters
Absolutely wear a helmet!!! I've been skiing since I was 6 (obviously started without a helmet, because what was a helmet in the early 1980's?). Anyway, finally got one a few years ago, and I'm glad that I did. I wouldn't ski without one now.
The year I bought mine, we were at Squaw Valley. We were standing, waiting on a lift at the bottom of Squaw, and this guy comes flying down. Was a pretty good skier, was holding his line, but shouldn't have been going that fast on the bottom. He was cut off by another skier, and had to change his line. Ran smack into the ski lift pole. There was so much snow, that the pads were under the snow, so we heard nothing but him, hitting metal. If the guy was alive and wearing a helmet, that would be the only reason. We never found out if he was alive or not. I will never go without a helmet again after watching that. Worst thing that I have ever seen.
Now, onto Surefoot. I'm no skiing expert, but this was the best investment that I have ever made. I never met a boot I liked, before going to Surefoot. I have an extremely wide foot, and getting a semi-custom fit boot was perfect. No more pain!!!! I'm sure a top 15 boot fitter is worth it and could probably have provided the same fit, but not knowing what to expect, and didn't want to get sold a set of goods that I didn't like or trust, Surefoot did a good job of fitting me and offered a good fit/return policy. They had to actually melt the bottom of the boot to stretch it, so that it would fit my foot. I was a happy customer, but I understand your point about a good boot fitter, and it probably would have been less expensive. I'm just enjoying skiing without pain.
Man, I can't wait to get back out west for my annual ski venture.