Please be kind thanks!!
Back story- This is my first time skiing this year on a small family vacation- we tried skiing for the first time last year and we loved it so much we decided to take a few days out for it!! I had been skiing for a few days and had a great time!!
This year, we did the same thing as before- rented the skis and out for a lesson we went! Right away, within 5min waiting on skis for the instructor to start the lesson, I started feeling horrendous calf pain.,, I thought, well I really must not be used to it this year! I thought once we got moving it would ease up, but I hid my pain for about 10min before telling the instructor that I had to stop because of the pain, I was starting to panic because the Pain was so bad I didn’t think I would make it back to the rental place to get them off!
Right away the ski guys said that the rentals this year are all brand new… Last year they were all older and more worn in and they have had some complaints from women because our calves are bigger? I went to another area that had women’s ski boots and I got a pair to rent there and they did feel better… But not for long I would give this one 10 minutes instead of the initial two minutes before I had to say I had to stop! It’s extremely upsetting that we made a whole trip out of this and it made me so happy to ski last year and this year I can’t even make it more than a few minutes because my calves are in such extreme pain!!
I am a bit embarrassed because I am about 200 pounds so I am clearly overweight but I have come a long way from being almost 300 pounds a couple years ago… And last year I did just fine minus some knee pain at the end of the vacation. I am a bit embarrassed because I am about 200 pounds so I am clearly overweight but I have come along way from being almost 300 pounds a couple years ago… And last year I did just fine minus some knee pain at the end of the vacation. Why it last year I was fine with the old rentals can I not handle it? It’s literally just my calves it so much pain immediately! I am 5 foot four so I am short and clearly not tiny but last year was much easier and I am the same way as I was then… What can I do? Should I give up or should I go And see if I should try to buy some? I don’t understand why my calves get into such intense pain extreme pain so quickly that I can’t even ski, please help!
Brianna, I agree with all the other supportive people who already replied to you. Please don't be self-conscious. We are all beginners at some point, in various ways. (1) Congrats to you on becoming more fit while enjoying the Great Outdoors! (2) Absolutely, as the others indicated, Please go to an experienced ski bootfitter - ask friends in your area whom they recommend.
@KevinF asked people he knew in my area, a few years ago, and that helped me find an excellent bootfitter. Be prepared to relax and spend some time getting properly fit. I've heard expressions like, "The fit will be like a firm handshake between your foot and the boot [or feet and the boots],", or "like a close hand-in-glove fit", etc. I moved-up to a new pair of boots, about a year or so ago, and that fitting session probably lasted an hour-and-a-half, if I remember correctly. Your bootfitter may recommend inserts, as at least one person mentioned in the above thread. I, for example, have "Instaprints" (I think) that are custom-fit boot inserts and they really help. Your fitter can eliminate "hot-spots" or "pressure-points", to provide a very snug but comfortable fit. Please speak up and tell the fitter exactly what you feel on each foot and where. I view a really good boot fit as an Investment in Safety and Enjoyment. I suspect others have already told you that the #1 thing is "Good-Fitting Boots". Good Luck to you, go out & get a great fit. (3) Please take a ski lesson - others commented about proper stance as affecting comfort, in the above thread. I agree with them - lessons help to improve technique, including stance. Best Wishes to You! :--)
