Is it better to bring your own ski boots on a ski trip or go with the rental shops ? out of a week long trip I have "high" hopes of a max of 4 days on the slopes.Lugging the full gear seems to be to much of a waste of effort and besides the chance to sample the latest equipment is worth the extra expense.So, is it better to go for the extra time fitting for a boot or bring your own and just muddle through a binding fit?

In my "salad days", I worked in a ski shop selling and fitting equipment. It really depends on where you go and how good a skier you are. If you are an expert skier, then perhaps you really should bring your own finely tuned equipment to handle the toughest slopes. If you are an intermediate, flip a coin. You might feel more comfortable with your own stuff, but on the other hand, a good resort with good rental facilities will fit you properly and give you the chance to try out some new equipment different from your own (many top ski areas offer "premium" rental lines). For a novice to low intermediate skier, just rent. Contact the ski area or the hotel where you're planning to stay and ask for some recommendations on rentals. Try to reserve equipment if you can so that you don't just get leftovers. Have fun and if you can, take a lesson, I always do that because I'm always learning and instructors usually get to take their students to the head of the lift line ;-)<BR>BTilke

I'm also debating whether to bring my boots to our upcoming ski trip. I am a beginner (learned to ski last year), but had a real hard time finding a decent pair of rental boots in Val Gardena last year. The first pair left horrible blisters on my chins. I finally found an OK pair. <BR><BR>The skis were top-of-the-line though (if any, too advanced for me), and very cheap to rent. This taught me that if you are particular about boots, bring 'em, but don't worry about bringing your skis.

Mariarosa, that's a good point about the boots. Sounds like they fitted you with pair of boots too advanced for your needs (or just plain bad boots). Novice and low-intermediate skiers usually have softer boots because they're not subjecting themselves to the rigors of steep slopes or tough moguls. Mike, if your boots are "just right" (or about as comfortable as ski boots get), and you've had problems with other boots, then bring your own. Boots are the biggest source of complaints at rental shops.

put my boots in your snoot after a day of sking! so ,how many chf extra for a pair of boots worn by who knows who..my feet stink so bad that satan will not let me in its hell. and i do not expect that my fellow skiers feet will be any different..so bring me own or do the swiss have a way to de germ/etc da things.

Hey Mike! I agree it depends on how particular you and are how hard to fit you are. Unfortunately for me, I'm so hard to fit that if I don 't have my own boots, I don't ski. For 4 days, I would definitely take my own boots!