European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 26, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ski Europe 94 press for Success proper equipment essential for Good performance on the slopes by j. King Cruger staff writer ski boots must properly fit your feet if you Are to pull off any feats on the slopes. All experts agree that that s the most important thing la remember when it comes to renting or buying ski equipment. The boots do the work in skiing. If you Are thinking about buying skis or boots absolutely buy boots first. Having your own boots puts you in the Comfort zone says Neville bes Ignach an internationally licensed ski instructor and coach. You can rent or lease by the Day or season As some ski shops will do or buy a pair of used boots. When you rent boots you Are fitted As Well As possible but the boots have often been worn and shaped by Many other feet. Nevertheless when learning to ski or when making the now and again trip to the slopes rented boots May be As responsive and comfortable As you require said bes Ignach an outdoor recreation assistant at Aviano a Italy. Used or rented boots offer some challenges. Without help or guidance you May not know much about the Quality of the boots or which level of skiing they Are suited to. For example a beginner using stiff racing boots would have a terrible time and could court serious injury. A beginner needs a recreational Boot. Basically boots come in two styles rear entry and Layover front buckle boots although there Are some that Are a Cross Between the two. The rear entry Boot is generally easier to put on adjust and take off. These Are the recreational boots that Are Best suited to new skiers according to bes Ignach. There Are lots of ways to fit a ski Boot but the least complicated is this take the size of your most comfortable pair of shoes and pick out three pairs of boots. One will be your shoes size another a half size larger and the third a half size smaller. The different sizes will help you find the Best fit because some boots Are made for thin feet while others Are for broader feet. Wear one pair of ski socks when trying on boots. If the boots Are very comfortable perhaps Overly so try on a half size smaller. If the boots Are extremely tight almost numbing go up a half size always go for the size that will fit snugly but with some Comfort. Rank beginners should definitely go for Comfort but they need to be firmly fastened in their boots. They should be Able to wiggle their toes slightly As they strongly press their shins against the Boot Tongue. While they should be Able to move their toes within the Boot they should t be Able to wiggle their tees around like they would in an old pair of slippers bes Ignach says.  the foot according to bes Ignach should Liot move laterally on the Boot and the Heel should stay firmly in the Boot. To really get the Best possible fit counterclockwise from above George Swensen a ski shop employee in kit Buhl Austria selects a pair of boots and adjusts the ski binding so the skier can get in and out of the skis easily when on the slopes. Is Ken George bes Ignach says a customer should try on a Boot whose inner Boot has been removed leaving Only the outer Shell the customer then puts his toe against the inner front of the Shell. If the size is Correct this will leave a Gap of about a Finger and a half Between the Back of the Heel and the rear of the Boot. That gives you the size. To get the proper Width put the inner Boot Back in and Check for Comfort after making adjustments to make it fit tight. Any Good ski shop can then build up the inner Boot and put padding in to Cushion the hot. Spots or pressure Points bes Ignach says he advises skiers especially those is Ken George needing to watch their budgets to either rent or buy used skis for the first year. The general Rule is that beginners skis should not be taller than the top of the skiers Heads. That length lets beginners work with a ski they can be comfortable and not intimidated by bes Ignach says. When it comes to buying skies lots of people make the mistake of buying skis. Such As racing skis that Are Over their level of competency. Avoid getting a High performance ski that can turn Nasty on you. It s Best to go for a ski that you can handle. Have an experienced skier help you pick out skis bes Ignach says. Is Ken George there in t anything Tricky about choosing the right size ski poles for a beginner. Place the pole upside Down with the top of the grip alongside and several inches to the outside of your toe. Grab the ski pole beneath the Basket. The hand should be around the Shaft and the Basket should rest on top of your thumb and forefinger. Check out the Angle created by your upper and lower Arm at the Elbow the Correct fit would be a 90 degree Angle says bes Ignach. Is there anything else to know when you go for ski equipment keep it simple says bes Ignach and avoid the Bells and whistles.". 30 october 26, 1994