Back into skiing again?

[stevej37]

It's been at least 8 years since I gave it up because of my feet. Bunions on both, but the right foot is worse. The tight ski boots irritate it and lead to a few days of soreness afterwards.

Instead of selling or shelving the ski's and boots, I decided to give it a try once more with modified boot liners. The one inch hole fits the location of the bunion perfectly. I'll tape over and around the hole before using them.

My Salomon skis have only one season of use.
I'll see how it works...it might be time to sell the works.

[porsche tech]

Ouch! Looks painful…with any foot wear. Can’t you get it cut off?

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

Ouch! Looks painful…with any foot wear. Can’t you get it cut off?

It's not a simple fix...they would have to cut a section of the bone out to make it straight.
If I wear wide shoes, it's no problem.
At my age, 70, I don't want the surgery when I can live comfortably without it.

[Flat Six]

Hey Steve, I'd take your boots to a decent ski shop/bootfitter. As I recall from a previous thread you have one near you in Grand Rapids? This time of year they'll still have most of their seasonal staff on hand but they'll be less busy.

Ask them to punch the shell to accommodate your bunion. Shouldn't take longer than overnight; might cost you $25-$40 (or a half-rack -- 12-pack for the rest of you -- decent beer) and will be well worth it.

[stevej37]

^^^ Yeah...it used to be Bill & Paul's but when I bought my last pair of skis they had sold out and it was renamed? They are still there.

I never heard that they could do that...I might check that out. I'll see how my fix works first. It took me a while to be sure that I had the right spot for the liner hole....There's prob an easier way.

[stevej37]

I had the boots and skis stored in a room that is unheated. An hour later at 71 degrees, I still can't get the two top buckles within the first notch...lol
I'm the same weight as the last time I used them...that hard plastic is terrible when cold.

I'll give them another hour before I try again.

[stevej37]

The boots finally warmed up enough to become a little more flexible....got them both buckled.

[LWJ]

I have “normal “ feet and ski boots have never not caused me agony. Went skiing three days ago with some friends to an unchallenging area. I only buckled the bottom two buckles. It worked.

And yes, these are brand new boots with a custom fit guarantee. They still are torture devices.

[stevej37]

^^^ Torture devices is a good description....lol

It's a fun sport, I've always enjoyed it. Not many good runs here in Michigan..but CO is an easy place to have some fun. I think I've skied almost all of the major resorts there over the years.
Keystone is prob my favorite.

[unclebilly]

This is common with our other ski club parents. It’s cheap to get your boots punched out. Basically, they heat up that section of your boot with a heat gun and push it out with a rod so it fits your foot.

[stevej37]

^^^ If this boot liner hole doesn't help enough...I'll def check it out. I'm sure there are lots of others that have the same problem. Bunions are nothing bad, until they are awakened by pressure...then they are a problem.

They are also hereditary...my mother, brother, and two sisters have them also.

[jyl]

store boots buckled up. Otherwise the plastic wants to return to its original flat shape.

If the liner mod isn’t enough, +1 on having your boots punched out. Takes ten minutes at a good shop.

[Tobra]

Looks like this would be just the ticket

https://www.modernfootankle.com/resources/foot-care/guides/lapiplasty-bunion-surgery-pros-and-cons

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by jyl

store boots buckled up. Otherwise the plastic wants to return to its original flat shape.

If the liner mod isn’t enough, +1 on having your boots punched out. Takes ten minutes at a good shop.

Thanks...that makes sense on storing them. I'll remember that.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Looks like this would be just the ticket

https://www.modernfootankle.com/resources/foot-care/guides/lapiplasty-bunion-surgery-pros-and-cons

I've been to two diff foot specialists over the years, but this new procedure looks much different than what they wanted to do.

With the old, both told me I wouldn't be back to normal shoes for six months.

[Tobra]

They were probably talking about a proximal 1st metatarsal osteotomy

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Tobra

They were probably talking about a proximal 1st metatarsal osteotomy

They might have told me the name...I forget it.
The main reason I'm willing to live with it is...it really doesn't bother me until I wear the wrong shoes or bump it while walking. (which is rare being on the inside of the foot)

About 5 years ago, I was hit by a car while biking, which led to intermedullary nailing, with a rod from hip to knee. 2 years ago, one of the effects of the accident was the discovery of two fractured vertebrae in my mid back.

The first surgery with the rod was a breeze....I was back to biking within a month. The back surgery is still lingering...but I can live with it. It's def better than pre-surgery.

So...I'm tired of surgery. At 70, I'm not in a hurry to fix something that I've had since my 20's.

[stevej37]

A pic of the skis that go with the boots...

[JavaBrewer]

Kudos Steve, my days of skiing are over. I'm only 61 but reference the Top Gun quote my body cannot cash the checks anymore. I can still do many things but falling on skis and breaking my shoulders is not a risk reward combo for me. I still jog around and ride motorcycles all the time. Jealous you can still manage the downhills, but the second issue for me are the costs. Holy C that sport is insanely expensive now.

Edit, if the downhill ski industry is anything like mountain biking industry then your older skies and boots are not your friend. Last time I skied (8 years ago) I demo'd some latest model equipment. I was an average blue slope guy but that equipment made me better than I actually am. Just like my SDGT KTM and all the electronics they pack in.

Ski safe Steve!!

[stevej37]

^^^ Thanks
I've changed from taking on any slope to enjoying nice cruising slopes over the years.

I was looking at the rates for Keystone today and found that I can get a senior single day discount rate of $208....lol

That's just plain stupid.....How did it ever get that high?