My wife argues it is my helmet, or , on a cold day,  my warm layer.

But I know better: the most important piece of my equipment, the one I obsess about and take with me in the overhead compartment when I travel, are my boots.

At their best, the boots give you the a perfect connection to your skis and to the snow, and will let you drive improvement, and at worst they will hurt, impede or prevent any technical progress – or even force you into detrimental movement patterns and make you want to go home at 11 am.

The more I teach and the more I learn about how much the boots are linked to your enjoyment and progress. Of course basic fit is a starting point – and even that is complicated – here is a detailed presentation just on that. A good boot fitter wll also consider flex patterns, forward lean and ramp angle in connection with skier dorsiflexion range and ability, canting options., foot bed choices, etc.  This is part an art and part a science.

While the internet is a great place to get education on this, this is not where you should get your boots. Nor is a city shop. Ideally you want to get boots at a reputable shop with a renowned boot fitter, in a ski area, and on the first or second day of a multiday stay, so that the boot fitter can have several days to get to the final tweaks needed for a perfect fit (sometines the “art” part of boot fitting will take a few tries to get dialed in to perfection) . The nominal price of the boot will be higher than at your city store; but the bootfitter will not have to take any shortcuts such as oversizing to prevent pain points. Over the course of several visits if necessary, s/he will send you out skiiing before implementing gradual, progressive improvements to the fit, until it is just right. I can not count the number of clients that came to me with new boots bought in the city; decided to get professionally fitted at the ski area; and were floored by the outcome in comfort, and skiing improvement.

Here in Park City, there are a number of great professionals, but 2 that I know and trust  are (on site) Scott, aka Dude at Cole Sport on the main plaza (resort center location); and (offsite) Brent at Park City boot.

These guys are unbelievably busy – be sure to make an appointment, especially in high season.

And yes, go ahead, get your skis over the internet if you have too – although you should not (read here) – but just not your boots.