Would you mount skis without having boots?

**StroupSkier** · 11-16-2006, 02:38 PM

My uncle bought some pocket rockets for his wife and some 1080 guns for hiimself off the internet, but they really don't have a ski shop near them so he dropped them off for me to take to the local ski shop and get them mounted.

He has his own boots so that wasn't a problem.

His wife however, does not. I've had a couple of dicussions with the shop on this and while we are both a little hesitant to do it, it doesn't seem impossible. She is having her skis mounted with Solly 810 bindings, so the heel peice is adjustable. She also knows that she likes Solly boots, but does not remember what size boot she normally wears. We were thinking of matching her shoe size up with the Solly boot chart and taking a boot of the shelf that is 1 size too small and have it mounted up with the center point. That way if her foot is longer it will move her boot back on the ski.

Any thoughts on this?

**The Dad** · 11-16-2006, 02:42 PM

What's the point? Why not wait until she buys the boots?

**StroupSkier** · 11-16-2006, 02:45 PM

Guess I should have explained that....

They only ski 1 week a year and don't want to go through the hassle of buying boots and then having to wait another day or so to get the skis mounted. They fly in on a Saturday, want to go get boots, have the bindings adjusted and then go skiing.

**Hutch** · 11-16-2006, 02:53 PM

no big deal

**dfinn** · 11-16-2006, 02:58 PM

i'd do it. those heels move enough to accomodate + or - 1 size, if not more right?

**grskier** · 11-16-2006, 03:24 PM

I wouldn't unless I had a situation like that... That being said, they need to have some idea of what size boot to mount that thing at. Tell them next time to buy from the skin of the foot out. Find your socks.. sounds stupid, but socks can make a big difference in boot fit. Find your boots.. we all know how that can go. Find your favorite bindings, then skis, put it all together that way and it's easier to build a winning combo IMHO.

**pechelman** · 11-16-2006, 03:24 PM

sounds reasonable to do what you said

also you could always find a demo binding for cheap...

**leroy jenkins** · 11-16-2006, 03:28 PM

You should have told her that it makes a lot more sense to own your own boots than to own your own skis.

Since shes allready in this situation though, and the shop is willing, I'd say go for it.

**ill-advised strategy** · 11-16-2006, 03:28 PM

I wouldn't mount those skis until you have the boot.

**SponsoredByDuctTape** · 11-16-2006, 03:48 PM

It would suck to mount the skis, try to put a boot in the bindings, and find out that you need a remount because those boots don't fit your mount.

Just about any shop I've ever been to or worked at would mount something for you on the spot...for a price (usually a sixer or a $10 tip).

**jfost** · 11-16-2006, 04:00 PM

^^^ x2

Even a $mall tip can usually get things done A$AP !!!

**Blatant** · 11-16-2006, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by StroupSkier

Guess I should have explained that....

They only ski 1 week a year and don't want to go through the hassle of buying boots and then having to wait another day or so to get the skis mounted. They fly in on a Saturday, want to go get boots, have the bindings adjusted and then go skiing.

It takes all of 5minutes if that to mount the shit.

**Plakespear** · 11-16-2006, 07:40 PM

Do they have their old boots? If so, than they can measure the sole length, and the shop can mount them using a boot with the same sole length.

**TurxSki** · 11-16-2006, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by StroupSkier

They only ski 1 week a year and don't want to go through the hassle of buying boots and then having to wait another day or so to get the skis mounted. They fly in on a Saturday, want to go get boots, have the bindings adjusted and then go skiing.

They have more money than sense, huh ?

(I've got little of neither, btw)

More hassle than skiing in boots that don't fit ??

What's wrong with sorting the boots out, just after you've checked in, before you go out ?
A one time hassle.
The wife is an afterthought, it looks like.

I am ignorant, but the only ski's I know of that had to be left overnight were Volkls with Marker piston bindings. New Solly's with Solly bindings, the guy (Sugarbowl) did that afternoon. 2 pairs.

You should persuade them how important boot fit is.

Are these folks who've been skiing for ever, but only ski groomed Blues ?
So why are they asking you, and why are you asking here ?

**lax** · 11-16-2006, 08:24 PM

i think YOU should help them out with the "day of" mounting, sounds liek they would fuck that up royally somehow.

**summit** · 11-16-2006, 08:25 PM

Only mount without boots if:

1. You are mounting demo bindings
2. You are CERTAIN of the ACTUAL (not indicated) boot sole length +-5mm

(Most bindings can go +-10mm, +- 5mm is a safety factor and a performance factor)

**StroupSkier** · 11-16-2006, 10:13 PM

The guy knows what he is doing and wanted a new pair of skis. I think the wifes pair was what sealed the deal on him being able to get his own skis though. Not an afterthought by any means, just a deal sealer

Don't worry, I have stressed how inportant the boot fit is. But the closest shop to them is a 2 hour drive away, and the closest decent shop is probably 5 or so hours away. He got a deal on the skis and bought them.

They have rented from DPH every year for the past 20 or so years, so they are going to try and call up tomorrow to see if they kept records and could tell her what size boot she was in.

**The Dad** · 11-16-2006, 10:30 PM

Don't get me wrong. Buying the skis wasn't foolish. But mounting them without boots would be, unless they're demos.

**The Dad** · 11-17-2006, 02:18 PM

Alternative: Have them mounted with Tyrolia Railflex bindings. I just received a pair in the mail (along with the new Fischer AMC 70s I picked up as a birthday present for my wife), and they appear to have as wide an adjustment range as demo bindings do, with other nice twists like being able to shift the bindings +/- 1.5cm with a coin. Nice design.