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If the Boot Fits...

By Abbie Digel

They call it Grizzly design. You might call it a foot fetish. But the ski boot technicians at Grizzly Outfitters, all certified in techniques of adding comfort, warmth and performance, know their stuff.

Your ski boot is an extension of your foot, helping to guide you through the snow with grace and precision. Your set up should be synced with your body for optimum performance.

Andrew Schreiner, who has been fitting ski boots at Grizzly Outfitters in Big Sky for 20 years, says “Everyone wants the best skis, but if your feet aren’t good to go, good luck. Boots that fit will improve your skiing.”

“Remember when it was fashionable to go into a size seven boot with size nine feet? We used to cut the end of our liners with kitchen knives and cover them with duct tape.” Now, he says, “Boots have made such great improvements.”

So, do your ski boots actually fit?

Take out your liner and slip your foot into the shell.

Are your toes and heels swimming? They’re too big. Do you have to buckle your boots at the loosest setting? They’re too small. Do your feet ache at the end of only one run? It’s time to re-evaluate your most important pair of winter footwear.

“There are very few shops who will go to the extent that we do for fitting,” Schreiner says.

“We offer a lifetime fit guarantee. If it’s too small, or if we screwed up, we’ll take care of it. We’ll make sure you get what you need, even if it means handing you a new boot off the shelf.”

Schreiner and his team know the specs of every boot they offer. This knowledge eliminates the laborious process of trying on multiple boots. They will get it right the first time.

The process at Grizzly differs depending on factors including ability, age and experience. Make sure to come to the shop prepared to dish on your skiing timeline, and get ready to expose some leg as the crew will compose a thorough analyzation from the knee down, searching for hot spots, areas on your feet such as bunions, exposed bones, or problem spots that cause consistent pain. Depending on what package you order, you can choose a basic re-structuring of your liner, or go all out for a custom footbed, new liners and new boots.

The process goes like this: foot scan, needs assessment, fabrication of orthotics, custom liners, and an optional boot heater.

The mill used to carve custom liners has a scanner that records 540 points on your feet in 10 mm increments. It is one of only two such machines in Montana. Once the footbed is complete, an adhesive top sheet is glued to it for easy insertion of the foot.

Then comes the life-changing step: the mold. Grizzly uses convection ovens heated at 250 degrees to heat-moldable boot liners.

“It’s like baking bread,” Schreiner says as he pulls out the shells and liners using his gloves as oven mitts. He determines how long the boots cook based on how gnarly your feet are.

Once your feet are in the smoldering boots, you feel instant heat and pressure, but for good reason. Since ski boots come with floppy footbeds and liners made for the masses, a custom footbed and mold is key.

The end result should be a boot with a snug fi and no “zinging” or biting,” says Schreiner.

“You shouldn’t miss powder days because your feet hurt.” Get the Grizzly guarantee from one of seven boot fi tters at the shop, and walk away with happy, warm feet and ski with stunning technique.

LAST MINUTE TIPS:

•Thin socks are the way to go. Your liners, not your socks, should keep you warm. Forget thick wool — it bunches up in your boot and grinds into your feet.

•Buckle ‘em up. Take the time to buckle your boots after you take them off. Don’t stash them in the truck either. Bring them inside. You won’t regret it in the morning.

•Skiing with brand new boots? Unbuckle them on the lift. Your feet won’t feel as stiff and won’t chill with all the wiggle room.

•Never, ever, ski in “walk” mode (on AT or telemark boots). When you’re hiking or cruising the parking lot however, fl ip the buckle up for an easier ride.

•In a shop, if the clerk puts you in a boot without putting you in the shell fi rst, he’s wrong. For a proper fit, remember to size the shell first.

Call Grizzly and schedule a consultation with a specialized boot fitter: (406) 995- 2939.