Booting up: Parking Lot v. Lodge

[ERJ-145CA]

I always boot up in the lodge, I have a Transpack which makes carrying my gear easy plus I don't like to damage the soles of my boots walking on pavement. I do wear all my ski clothes though driving back and forth to the mountain, it doesn't bother me, I just don't need to use as much heat in my car. Sometimes in the spring I have to use the A/C during the drive.

 

[cbcbd]

I'm just not a fan of leaving stuff behind in the lodge or buying a locker... too much of a hassle in the the pre and apres. If I have to attend to business I just head in with my boots and all beeline for the stalls. Lodges, especially on weekends are just madhouses.
And besides, I usually ski with a pack, so if I can keep small things in there during the day and not have to go back to the car.

 

[Greg]

I actually keep my Transpack packed because we live in such a small apartment that it's become the home for my ski stuff. That way everything is always where I can find it and ready to go.

I leave everything strewn about the basement so it can dry out thoroughly.

 

[SkiDork]

I always boot up at home and drive in ski boots. I have a slopeside season parking spot on weekends & holidays. Midweek, I can always park slopeside.

Geoff rawks!!!!

 

[hammer]

Always in the lodge...I don't want to drive with my ski pants or socks on, and I don't want to beat up the bottoms of my boots any more than I have to.

Having a Transpack makes things easier...I also have the Cat Tracks and they are nice once you get them on, but putting them on and taking them off is a real PITA.

 

[severine]

I leave everything strewn about the basement so it can dry out thoroughly.

I leave everything strewn about the kitchen so it can dry out thoroughly...then I put it back in the bag.

 

[SkiDork]

I leave everything strewn about the kitchen so it can dry out thoroughly...then I put it back in the bag.

dry boots RAWK!!!!!

 

[snowmonster]

I almost always boot up in the lodge. I can't drive in ski boots because I drive a stick (the only way to go in my book) and have to change from my athletic socks into my ski socks. Plus, I put a brace around my knees so I need more space than usual. I also don't like sitting on the bumper. I'm afraid that one day, it'll collapse underneath me. I usually hang my pack and shoes on a peg in the lodge. If the place is exceptionally crowded, I'll ski with the pack on.

The only time I'll boot up in the car is when I'm at the mountain for a very limited time such as at night in Wa. If I do walk around in my ski boots, I always put Cat Tracks on. The way I see it, if you take care of your equipment, they'll take care of you. I also have a bootfitter work on these and I refuse to have all those adjustments and grinding undone because I can't be bothered. Dirt gets in to the Cat Tracks but walk around them in the snow going to the lift. That gets rid of the rocks and mud. Give it a shake before you stow them in your pockets to get the snow off.

 

[Geoff]

I've never tried this. On paper it sounds really dangerous...but I can't say I know that as fact.

I don't think it's dangerous at all to drive in ski boots. I've been doing it since 1998 when I got my first automatic SUV. I have full control over the car. I'm only going 2 miles. The speed limit is 35 mph and I leave lots of separation. It's a 4 lane road all the way and I'm in the right lane at the speed limit letting the testerosterone people roar by me. Going up the hill in the morning, the car will come to a complete stop just by taking my foot of the accellerator. Downhill, I put that PRND32L thingie on a lower number and control my speed that way. It's a little more challenging in my VW GTI than in my Mountaineer. In the GTI, I have to rotate my boot clockwise 90 degrees to get to the gas pedal without hitting the brake.

I've also driven manual transmission cars with a fiberglass lower leg cast and a knee imobilizer. No big deal.

 

[SkiDork]

believe me - its not dangerous to drive in ski boots... Take it from Geoff...

 

[jaywbigred]

This has got to be the silliest thing i have ever heard on one of these forums.
I mean seriously, you have changed into your normal shoes to drop a deuce?

As I've said, yes, maybe once or twice.

That is so funny. you may question how human i am, but i am wondering what kind of princess needs to change out of their ski boots to drop a deuce?

Your at lunch. Your sneakers are 2 feet away from you, and you have to go. The bathroom is down 2 flights of stairs, and the stalls are narrow. Why on earth would you not change? it takes 2 minutes! Its logical.

Of course, if your shoes are way out in the car....

in general get myself combobulated. plus we bring a lunch so we come back to "basecamp" at lunchtime.

Great use of the word "combobulated"!!! also, bringing lunch is a key point.

The only time I'll boot up in the car is when I'm at the mountain for a very limited time such as at night in Wa.

This is probably a key point too. I barely ever make trips like this. Maybe I'd boot up in the lot more if I did.

 

[Talisman]

If I do walk around in my ski boots, I always put Cat Tracks on. The way I see it, if you take care of your equipment, they'll take care of you. I also have a bootfitter work on these and I refuse to have all those adjustments and grinding undone because I can't be bothered. Dirt gets in to the Cat Tracks but walk around them in the snow going to the lift. That gets rid of the rocks and mud. Give it a shake before you stow them in your pockets to get the snow off.

Using Cat Tracks is good advice. I've found over the years my boots wear out from the inside and not as a result of walking a few feet from my truck to the snow. The heels and toes of my boot shells have replaceable sections in the unlikely event I actually took a bit longer of a stroll in ski boots. Just to be clear though I'm not the person in the diner, food store, gas station and ski shop clomping around in ski boots.

Driving in ski boots is a skill worth developing for super cold days or when you are going to ski free for the first hour at Okemo though.

 

[SkiDork]

4Driving in ski boots is a skill worth developing for super cold days or when you are going to ski free for the first hour at Okemo though.

it really isn't that hard to drive in ski boots... Folks should try it someday..

 

[SIKSKIER]

Both for this guy.Sometimes I like grabbing the transpack and heading in to the lodge if I'm real early.Lately I've been booting up at the house and driving.I'm only 20 seconds to the mountain and ski right from the car to the lift and back.As far as dropping a duece,I like the home hopper and it's only a 20 second ride away.
As far as boot wear and tear go,when I buy new boots I also buy the replacement toe and heel pieces right then.They most likely won't be available a few years down the road.Now where did I put those?

 

[Euler]

it really isn't that hard to drive in ski boots... Folks should try it someday..

It is with a standard transmission. I can manage the gas/brake with a ski boot, but not the clutch. I tried it recently and had to remove my left boot.

 

[SkiDork]

It is with a standard transmission. I can manage the gas/brake with a ski boot, but not the clutch. I tried it recently and had to remove my left boot.

true dat...

Auto much easier than standard...

 

[hammer]

it really isn't that hard to drive in ski boots... Folks should try it someday..

It would be very difficult in mine...my boots fit snug so bending at the ankle is not possible...

 

[Talisman]

true dat...

Auto much easier than standard...

Duct tape a notched hockey stick handle to the clutch on a standard so you only have to press the gas and brake with your right foot and steady the wheel with your left leg while shifting.

 

[Rambo]

Parking lots destroy the soles of your boots!

Where I live the 2 major ski-shops do not sell "Cat Tracks" which slip on the bottoms of your ski boots to save the soles of your boots.

Finally I got an employee to admitt that the reason they do not carry them is so people will have to buy new boots sooner. I bought a pair of cat tracks on the net.

 

[Rambo]

Duct tape a notched hockey stick handle to the clutch on a standard so you only have to press the gas and brake with your right foot and steady the wheel with your left leg while shifting.

Are you serious? This sounds quite dangerous.