jennifer

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.

extra0

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.

BurtonAvenger

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.

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firstx1017

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!!

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firstx1017

I agree with BurtonAvenger's post above mine - read it after I posted. Thanks for your suggestions BurtonAvenger!

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Noreaster

My god, how many jackets do you have amiga?

firstx1017

I have to admit I am an Ebay junkie! I will buy anything for $20 or less. They are all different thicknesses as we are in California so it can be really cold or really warm and some don't have liners and some do. What's funny is you are not the first one to comment on the jackets - I never noticed - shows how much I'm used to them! lol I get bored wearing the same thing every weekend! lol

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I learned to snowboard at 50! woo hoo!

Noreaster

Well, you look stylish.

extra0

in the beginning, someone could have saved your butt a lot of bruising by telling you to use your edges. That flat basing part was hard to watch...but it definitely looks like you're getting it

chomps1211

[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!)

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.

Yup!! 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!!!) 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:
CHOOSE FAT or THIN-1.jpg

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!!!!

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2012/13 Season;
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