r/skiing • u/AutoModerator • Feb 24 '23

Megathread [Feb 24, 2023] Weekly Discussion: Ask your gear, travel, conditions and other ski-related questions

Welcome! This is the place to ask your skiing questions! You can also search for previously asked questions or use one of our resources covered below.

Use this thread for simple questions that aren't necessarily worthy of their own thread -- quick conditions update? Basic gear question? Got some new gear stoke?

If you want to search the sub you can use a Google's Subreddit Specific search

Search previous threads here.

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u/Anonymous_Handle Feb 25 '23

I just got back from the worst ski trip I've ever taken at Pico in Vermont. My wife and I, both 44, are intermediate skiers as are our three teenagers. I don't ski much anymore, maybe once a year, but grew up skiing with hundreds of hours on the slopes of Sunapee, Attitash, and other NH mountains. I do not own my own skis: We rented some from a local independent shop (First Stop). Tried on a bunch of boots for a good fit, etc.

Thursday I get on the mountain, make one run, and collapse. I was just spent, and working the skis took more energy than I had. I chalked it up to exhaustion from other stresses and rested in the lodge.

Friday I'm feeling great, tons of energy, and ready to ski with my family, jealous of their six hours of crushing it the day before. I make one run on a green and have to stop four times. The amount of energy I had to use and the intense pain on the soles of my feet were unbearable (side note: I have very high arches).

I'm in great shape. I exercise regularly and skied last year all day on the same mountain with no issues and no pain. I don't know what's going on here and I'm hoping the enthusiast community has some suggestions for me. I read it could be the boots or my "intrinsic muscles," so I don't know what to do. For someone that skis once or twice a year, is it worth it to invest in special equipment and, if so, what would that even be? Should I just take snowboarding lessons?

Help!

Thank you all in advance!

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u/zorastersab Feb 25 '23

Where on the soles of your feet exactly?

If you're in normal shape, this shouldn't be happening -- even if you've been sedentary I'd find it odd.

I wish you had gone in and swapped out your equipment as that's the most likely thing. Your boots in particular. Yeah, when you ski you'll use muscles you don't use in other scenarios, but that'll most likely make you sore the next day, not exhausted after one run.

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u/Anonymous_Handle Feb 27 '23

I have very high arches (outer 1% of foot shape), so I'm inclined to agree with you. The bottom of my feet - particularly the bottom of my toes, ball of my feel, and heel - were all in intense pain during skiing. I read somewhere it has to do with "intrinsic muscles." Good feedback and much appreciated.

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u/TheBeatGoesAnanas Heavenly Feb 25 '23

This is a conversation to have with a doctor, and maybe also a bootfitter. Certainly don't take any advice from internet strangers.

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u/Anonymous_Handle Feb 27 '23

Don't worry: I'm not going to take Reddit comments as gospel. I was hoping some enthusiasts might share my experience or have some suggestions that would give me some direction before I go to a shop and get sold a pair of boots I don't need. ;)

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u/SirCuddlywhiskers Feb 26 '23

I once experience my soles hurting a lot in my ski boots and it got worse over time. I thought that the boots were to small, but the guy at the rental store said that they’re actually too hog. my feet cramped up trying to not slide around in the boot and once I went down half a size, it went away. Maybe it’s the same for you

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u/Anonymous_Handle Feb 27 '23

I was wondering about this, because it was a half-size above measurement and my feet did shift a little, but my ankles were crushed in the lower size. Still, good to know there's overlap with your experience. Thank you!