Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

stupid question?

7K views 39 replies 16 participants last post by  wrathfuldeity 
#1 ·
I am new here, and have never been snowboarding. My husband boards and my daughter loves to ski (she is 7).

I have lost 110 pounds in the past 4 months, and desperatly want to join in on the fun. After a week and visiting 6 different stores and seeing 2 boot fitters my dream of getting into a ski boot was crushed. Neither boot fitter was willing to take on the task of modifying a pair of boots enough to fit my calf. At the point where the boot sits it is more than 20 inches around, and it doesnt really taper a whole lot toward the bottom. I am still overweight. I know this...so please dont answer with some nasty comment.

My question is this. How bad of an idea is it to cut out the tongue part of the liner in a snowboarding boot? I would leave the outer tongue and the rest of the liner alone. I think doing this might allow the boot to actually come close to closing and allow me to actually take a few lessons. I am not willing to wait until next year. I have waited 10 years already, and my daughter is bored of the bunny hill...she cant leave the bunny hill until I am able to go with her.

Is this a horribly bad idea for safety reasons, or just for comfort reasons?

Thanks so much for your thoughts and responses. :)
 
See less See more
#2 ·
as long as it's a 100% lace up boot (no lace-lock on tongue), I guess you could do it. The problems are going to be a lack of comfort in the tongue area (no padding) and, since there's a snow gasket/barrier attached to the tongue, water from melting snow will get in the boot. I usually never recommend used boots, but this experiment looks like the possible exception.
 
#3 ·
Only 20 inches around and they couldn't get it to fit? That's bullshit I once worked on a boot where the woman was 24 inches around and it only took about 2 hours of work to get her in a boot that fit her foot lengthwise and still accomodated the wider calf. Also props on losing that much weight I know how tough that is dropped from 280 to 165.

What I would personally look for is a low cut boot. I think it was either Salomon or Ride that had a boot with a low cut in the back for bigger calves and had a piece that was attached with elastic so it would bow out. If you can find a boot like that I would cut the elastic so this bonus piece pops out, then put in a heel wedge to raise you up slightly to fit your calf. Or you could try to find a liner-less boot they do exist I think Deeluxe makes an adult one and maybe Salomon. Or food for thought check out the DC park boot the liner itself only goes up to the ankle except on the tongue of the boot and with a heel wedge you might fit OK in the boot.
 
#10 · (Edited)
[edit added] ...after re-reading your OP, I might have misunderstood what you wanted to do. R you looking to ski or snowboard? My boot comments only apply to SB boots! (Cuz I kno squat about ski equip! and only little more than that about snowboarding!) ;)

Only 20 inches around and they couldn't get it to fit? That's bullshit,..
I have to agree with BA, that sounds like BS! Measured my own calf & it's 18" and I'm not having any trouble finding boots that fit the calf,.. I can't imagine another 2" would be that difficult to accommodate? Of course I'm no expert at all, but BA is!!! I think maybe you just got a couple of lazy D%#K heads.

...Also props on losing that much weight I know how tough that is dropped from 280 to 165.
:thumbsup: Yup!! :thumbsup: Way to go Jennifer,.. In 2009, I lost 120 lb. Went from 315 to 195! (...although some days snowboarding, I miss that extra padding on my backside!!!) :laugh: ;) Kudos to U2, BA!!!

I developed an arthritic condition that was being treated with steroids & I went from my usual tubby 270-280 to a whopping 315 without eating a single extra donut or pizza pie!!

heres the proof:
Chin Forehead Beard Facial hair Headgear


Discovered snowboarding in 2011 and have been seriously hooked since!!
Don't give up, find someone who will help you to get into the right boots & gear,.. don't let anyone discourage you!! First time you get a decent slide down that hill,.. you will be SO STOKED!!!! :yahoo: :laugh: :yahoo:
 
#4 ·
I will chime in a little bit. I lost 50 pounds so that I could learn to snowboard back in 2010 and I skied a few years prior to losing weight and I had a hell of a time finding ski boots to fit - I have HUGE calves also - always have and still do. I finally found ONE pair of ski boots that I could actually wear but my husband modified them to fit me to my liking. It got me to learn to ski, somewhat, but I just could never progress past the blue runs on skis so I tried snowboarding in 2010 with my goal to lose 50 pounds and turn 50 all in the same year AND try to learn to snowboard. Even with my large calves my hard part was my size 6 1/2 EEE (triple E wide feet). Finally two weeks ago tried some Ride Sash Boa boots and they are wide enough and fit great. They fit my calves, but in your case, I would say do whatever you feel you need to do or modify them to work for you. FYI I also worried about how to get up from the sitting position on a snowboard as I have very week knees and not nimble like the old days. My husband rigged me up up a "handle" attached to one of my bindings and I pull on the hand and can stand up that way. I can roll over and stand up on my toe edge now, but when I was learning it was hard for me to start on my toe edge and to turn to heelside - this handle thing really help me. If you want to watch my learning to snowboard and laugh at my falls, here you go!

Wishing you luck and have fun!!


 
#12 ·
I developed an arthritic condition that was being treated with steroids & I went from my usual tubby 270-280 to a whopping 315 without eating a single extra donut or pizza pie!!

heres the proof:
View attachment 9298

Discovered snowboarding in 2011 and have been seriously hooked since!!
Don't give up, find someone who will help you to get into the right boots & gear,.. don't let anyone discourage you!! First time you get a decent slide down that hill,.. you will be SO STOKED!!!! :yahoo: :laugh: :yahoo:
That's awesome, I love seein' old guys on the hill:cheeky4: Whenever I see one, I make sure I tell 'em that I love seein' old guys out there:eusa_clap:
Ah, I just fuckin' wit chya!!! I'm pushin' 40:eek::eek:hmy::blush:

But ah...... To tell you the truth, you look happier than a pig in shit, on the left.


TT
 
#15 ·
Thank you all so much.

I was wanting to ski originally...but with the boot issue (plus the fact that my husband got sooooo excited when I mentioned I might try snowboarding) I decided to go ahead and try snowboarding this year. Honestly I only chose to try to ski first because it looks easier. :)

One of the bootfitters really did try to get me into a boot. He was really nice and really seemed to want to help. I think the problem might also be that my leg does not taper a whole lot toward the ankle either. I dont know. But I agree that there has to be some sort of a solution...dont know if it was just being lazy or just not knowing what to do.

I found a pair of used womens Burton boots on Craigslist last night for only $10. So my husband is going to pick them up for me today and I will do my experimenting on those. No point in buying nice new boots to mess with until I am sure that I can make this work.

I was blessed with crazy big muscles in my legs...plus I still have a lot of weight left to lose. I started at 350 pounds back in August. I am down under 240 now. My weight gain WAS my fault. I ate to much and didnt get any movement in. I am still working my behind off to get rid of the rest of my weight, and it is not easy. But it is sooooo worth it. I couldnt even walk from my house to the car without getting winded before. I couldnt get from the car to the ski resort without taking several breaks. Now I can walk for miles and am actually excited about being active.

Thank you all so much for the advice, encouragement, and for just being so nice. My husband was sure I was going to get some mean weight related comments when I posted about this online, I am happy he was wrong. There was another forum where a girl asked about boots for large legs and was told that no one wants to see fatties up at the ski resort. Glad I came here instead. :)
 
#16 ·
well typically we're all a bunch of assholes, so I don't know how you ended up with nice encouragement;)

in all seriousness, props to you for working towards your goal. It only gets easier...once you start getting even more active and see the changes you'll get even more jacked up about staying fit. It's a good cycle to be in for sure.

I think grabbing some boots for cheap was a great idea. Be aware though, that if you continue to lose weight you're going to have to get new boards on top of better fitting clothes. That's a good problem to have though:D
 
#18 ·
if you posted on some other forum, some immature asshole might've tried to make himself look like a comedian at your expense, but I'm guessing people on this site are a bit more mature and more advanced snowboarders.

Just remember to use your edges from the start...sliding flat on the base can be kinda sketchy even for more advanced riders.
 
#20 ·
if you posted on some other forum, some immature asshole might've tried to make himself look like a comedian at your expense, but I'm guessing people on this site are a bit more mature and more advanced snowboarders.
You guessed wrong!!! Lotsa immaturity here... For some odd reason this forum is balanced though, between the noobs, the sarcastics, the veterans, etc. etc. etc.
 
#22 ·
One thing that I'm kinda surprised didn't get mentioned yet,..

Lessons!!!! By all means, make sure you take a couple of lessons!!! This is in no way any kind of slam against your husband, his willingness or ability to teach, his patience, or anything like that. But lessons from a good instructor will make things s-o-o-o much easier (...on your body & relationship!) ;) in the beginning!!!

Let us know how the used boot experiment goes!! :thumbsup:
 
#23 ·
Definatly taking some lessons. I love my husband and he has been boarding for like 20 years...but I dont think him playing instructor would be great for our marriage. :)

Plus the resort we go to has a deal where if you take 3 lessons you can get a season pass for only $65. That is a great deal considering what they usually charge.

The boots actually surpised me! They are a half size bigger than I would normally wear, but they dont feel loose at all. I can actually get them to close without cutting them up. I almost cried. It is a pretty tight fit, but it works. I swear I tried on at least 10 different snowboarding boots in the store and not one even came close to closing. I was shocked when I put these on and they closed. Plus I am still losing weight....so it will only get better.

Can you put a heal lift in like you can with ski boots?
 
#29 ·
2 things.

1 i can offer no input on boots sorry

2. Congrats on everything you've achieved so far and welcome to a fantasticly fun activity. Yesterday i taught my two best friends to snowboard, took them to a hill for the first time, seeing their faces when they realised they were getting the hang of it was a wicked moment for me. best of luck with it all! hope you enjoy it
 
#30 ·
Today was day one! Went and took my first lesson. They had snow like 2-3 days ago. It was awesome!!! Loved it. We stopped on the way to get me some goggles and a new pair of gloves (I somehow lost a brand new pair that I never even got to wear a week ago when we went up)....and we somehow left the store with a snowboard and bindings as well. lol. My husband loves me. I think he was just excited about snowboard shopping, since he doesnt need to get himself a new one. He has 3, and his latest was over $600...so he wont be getting a new one for a while. :)

The boots were VERY uncomfortable though. I lost feeling in my toes at a certain point. But I will experiment a bit and do some more looking around for the perfect boot for me.

I will say that I am sooooo sore! Seriously used muscles I have not made use of before. Only fell 3 times, I count that as a win. One fall looked pretty bad I guess. I had 2 lift operators and my instructor come running all freaked out asking if I was ok. I was fine. Jumped right back up. Though I do feel it in my arm now.

Thank you all for being so supportive and awesome. I had a great time and will be heading back up next week.
 
#33 ·
Jennifer - I am SO STOKED FOR YOU!! Glad you like it and only 3 falls - I am soooo jealous of you! I do know what you mean about muscles you never knew you had hurting. I work out on an Eliptical for 1/2 an hour and spin for 1/2 an hour every day at home which has helped my endurance on the slopes - at my age that is! lol I then do 45 minutes of stretching and floor exercises - and it has helped.

But kudos to you and glad you love it! Keep posting your progress!
Vicki
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top