Iwannaski
Angel Diva
HI! This question is for my husband’s benefit, but as many of you may know, some of the mental load aspects of husbands fall to us. If I leave research to him, my inner control freak won’t be happy. LOL.
TLDR: need a REALLY good bootfitter near Milwaukee, need to know if we need to drive to Chicago...
now the details
My husband is solidly middle aged ...had a pandemic milestone birthday and turned something that starts with a 5. ;) He hasn’t skied since we’ve known each other, but probably skied about 20 years ago... this year we decided that it’s something we would all want to do as a family. He’s super athletic so he would be the type of person to ski blues on day 1 returning and be at double black diamonds (esp here in the Midwest) by day 3...EXCEPT...
He has torn BOTH Achilles tendons in the last 10 years. Left in 2012 and right in 2020 (kind of fitting for the year, really) ... Pandemic perk: I returned to skiing and got the kids started this year. BUT because he’s letting the right fully heal before taking on the risk, I’m solo with them. Due to a huge discrepancy in my childrens’ risk tolerance and athletic abilities, we’re gonna need two parents skiing to be able to do any fun ski trips - even with ski school for the 9 year old. AND, the middle schooler has confidence and coordination that I just don’t. I skied down one hill with him, and at the end, he was exhilarated and I needed a tranquilizer. LOL. “Mom, did you see me flip? I totally flipped and ended up on my skis and was able to stand up while I was still going!” Nope.
BUT, I won’t emotionally survive sending my husband and son off to a challenging slope next year unless I know that DH is in good boots ... and I’m CONFIDENT that renting isn’t a good option for him. Aside from the torn Achilles issues, he’s got a size 14 shoe, a narrow foot and a flattish arch. Even if they stock rental 14s, I know they will be packed way too wide for him.
I got my old boots adjusted by a local ski shop when I picked up new skis but got the feeling that they were more transactional than truly fitting... but that may have been the timing/busyness level. Is there anyone here in the MKE area or in WI who could recommend a great bootfitter - like the individual at the store? On other threads I’ve read about one in CHI, but would love to support a more local business if experienced folks have faith in it.
Thank you. All of this is about my anxiety, really. I’m asking now because a) considering having him get fit when things are going on sale soon... b) want to have time to work on husband if we have to plan a drive to Chicagofor ski boots. LOL.
Also, if anyone else’s husband has blown out both Achilles in one decade playing basketball with men half his age, SOLIDARITY!
(so long-winded...but that’s why the summary at the top)
TLDR: need a REALLY good bootfitter near Milwaukee, need to know if we need to drive to Chicago...
now the details
My husband is solidly middle aged ...had a pandemic milestone birthday and turned something that starts with a 5. ;) He hasn’t skied since we’ve known each other, but probably skied about 20 years ago... this year we decided that it’s something we would all want to do as a family. He’s super athletic so he would be the type of person to ski blues on day 1 returning and be at double black diamonds (esp here in the Midwest) by day 3...EXCEPT...
He has torn BOTH Achilles tendons in the last 10 years. Left in 2012 and right in 2020 (kind of fitting for the year, really) ... Pandemic perk: I returned to skiing and got the kids started this year. BUT because he’s letting the right fully heal before taking on the risk, I’m solo with them. Due to a huge discrepancy in my childrens’ risk tolerance and athletic abilities, we’re gonna need two parents skiing to be able to do any fun ski trips - even with ski school for the 9 year old. AND, the middle schooler has confidence and coordination that I just don’t. I skied down one hill with him, and at the end, he was exhilarated and I needed a tranquilizer. LOL. “Mom, did you see me flip? I totally flipped and ended up on my skis and was able to stand up while I was still going!” Nope.
BUT, I won’t emotionally survive sending my husband and son off to a challenging slope next year unless I know that DH is in good boots ... and I’m CONFIDENT that renting isn’t a good option for him. Aside from the torn Achilles issues, he’s got a size 14 shoe, a narrow foot and a flattish arch. Even if they stock rental 14s, I know they will be packed way too wide for him.
I got my old boots adjusted by a local ski shop when I picked up new skis but got the feeling that they were more transactional than truly fitting... but that may have been the timing/busyness level. Is there anyone here in the MKE area or in WI who could recommend a great bootfitter - like the individual at the store? On other threads I’ve read about one in CHI, but would love to support a more local business if experienced folks have faith in it.
Thank you. All of this is about my anxiety, really. I’m asking now because a) considering having him get fit when things are going on sale soon... b) want to have time to work on husband if we have to plan a drive to Chicagofor ski boots. LOL.
Also, if anyone else’s husband has blown out both Achilles in one decade playing basketball with men half his age, SOLIDARITY!
(so long-winded...but that’s why the summary at the top)