I will never shop anywhere else for ski equipment…read more
The experience I had at Piche's today was outstanding. I called the store yesterday, and despite the fact they were VERY busy on a Saturday, they took the time to listen and give me feedback, and we agreed I'd come in today (a Sunday) when they were less busy and could devote sufficient time to helping me.
Backstory: I got back into skiing last year and went the cheap route when I picked up my boots at a ski sale. Nothing wrong with buying boots at a ski sale IF YOU KNOW YOUR FIT and KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. I did not, so I bought the wrong size, and my ski runs were punctuated with "wait, let me adjust this," and "hang on, let me adjust that," which is not what I want to be doing all the way down the slope.
A few weeks back, I stumbled into a ski shop in a different town. Though the shop was nearly empty, they would not help me until I made a fitting appointment, which was weeks out. This was a red flag, but I ignored it and made an appointment. When my appointment arrived, it wasn't a great experience - I traveled all the way back to this other town, and after measuring my foot, they put me in a Nordica boot they selected. Just one. They said they were sure this was the boot for me, but it wasn't comfortable, it wasn't even in the neighborhood of comfortable. There was no suggestion of any other boot. I asked to try on second pair for comparison, and they grudgingly chose another for me to try, but the second pair was no better. So, they steered me back to the initial boot they suggested. At least they did read the room right when they said "maybe you shouldn't buy these, you don't seem thrilled with them." They need not have worried, I would have given up skiing altogether before buying their suggested boot.
I could not believe that the only solution to my somewhat painful experience last season was just more pain in a different size this season. That's when I called Piche's, and I'm so glad I did.
I went in first thing this morning, and Nate was amazing. He spent over 2 hours with me (apparently, I have a difficult foot to fit because of super high arches). He didn't just help me try on boot after boot, he educated me along the way: he described the differences between boot brands, the variances in boot and liner qualities, and the advantages and disadvantages of different boot styles. He clearly explained how the right boot should feel, and how that feel would change with heat molding and with regular use. He pointed out things to consider in choosing a boot and also identified and excluded other things from consideration, knowing my ski goals & abilities (I'm intermediate at best, and I want to live in intermediate-ville, I do not want to race or ski aggressively, I just want to be comfortable and be outside in the snow and enjoy myself).
After 2 hours, we narrowed it down to 2 boots of the same brand (K2), and then he had me try on each pair another time or two. He was absolutely diligent in methodically working through all the options with me, and that made my final decision easy, intuitive, and evidence-based.
Many, many thanks to Nate and everyone else I encountered at Piche's (the gentleman who spoke to me by phone on Saturday, I'm so sorry I didn't catch your name; the owner, Pat) - they are all incredibly professional, friendly, and patient, and I highly recommend them for all your winter sports needs, and especially fittings!
PS: huge store, great selection good prices, same-day heat molding, and they also have equipment for summer sports like biking & kayaking!
