HELP!!! How to position weight in boots?

Hi, I'm an advanced beginner and usually don't have a lot of trouble, but lately I've noticed I'm putting all my weight on my toes. As a result, I am struggling. I have no idea why I started doing this in natural powder. I feel really off balance and wonder if my boots' tightness(and not my brain) could be the blame. I know what I'm supposed to do, but my feet aren't getting the message! HELP!!

mayamia wrote:Hi, I'm an advanced beginner and usually don't have a lot of trouble, but lately I've noticed I'm putting all my weight on my toes. As a result, I am struggling. I have no idea why I started doing this in natural powder. I feel really off balance and wonder if my boots' tightness(and not my brain) could be the blame. I know what I'm supposed to do, but my feet aren't getting the message! HELP!!

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Couple of things:

Whats an advanced beginner? You're either a beginner or you're not. Beginners are learning how to ski, use forms of snowplough turns, and probably don't venture off blue or green runs. Beginners may be learning to use parallel turns.
If you're not a beginner then you are an early intermediate, who is probably skiing slowly and making linked turns on blue slopes, but not able to venture far around the mountain.

Leaning forward when you ski is good. You want to have your weight forward so your shins push against the boots, which in turn means you are putting your weight forwards in the boots.

Are you actually skiing in "natural powder" all the time, or do you mean on hard packed pistes?

Boot tightness is a massively important issue. Your boots themselves are key to good skiing and development. Its important to tighten the clips so your boots are not loose but also not too tight so that you can't flick the clips open easily enough. If your foot is hurting, there is something wrong with your boots.

Are they your own or do you rent boots?

Hi! If you feel that you are off balance than most likely you are. However your description is very vague, starting from "natural powder" (do you mean real mountains as against the dry slopes or off-piste powder?) and so on. "On your toes" - do you mean that your heels lift too much or that your weight is far too forward? If your heels lift too much that may be caused by boots too big or too stiff or the combination of the above. You might be getting on your toes to get better leverage to help you flex too stiff boots. I can't see how tightness of boots ("tight" as in too small boots) can affect the balance. It will create pressure points and may cause cramping but your balance should stay as it is all else being equal. But if you struggle to flex the boot, releasing little bit the second calf buckle (the one around your ankles) may help some as it will give some room for your ankles to flex.You feet should stay flat in your boots with your ankles flexed and shins touching the tongues. Your knees with your ankles flexed should be over the lugs of your boot soles. If they are much further than that your boots probably have too much forward lean for you so that your weight gets more forward than it should be. If your knees don't get as far as the lugs of your boots than you probably can't flex them enough with your feet flat. But you will be better off asking someone who can watch your ski, knows what you are trying to do and sees what happens as a result. Do you ski in your own boots or you rent each time you ski? Personally I can't get the boot renting thing and would never put my feet into any footwear worn by tens or hundred strangers before me. Even as a beginner you should get fitted in boots suitable for you. If you have your own boots than talk to instructor in ski school about your experience and take them to a bootfitter, maybe he can make some adjustments to address the issue whatever it might be.

I guess I'm an intermediate (ski green & blue, too chicken and lack confidence/skill for a challenge/broken bones), but lately it's like my first time on skis. I ski man-made at Holiday Valley, NY but we did get some snow and conditions were perfect compared to the ice and washboard packed powder/ loose granular of contant freeze/thaw. I am putting so much weight on the front of my feet that I actually stop myself on flatter terrains. My legs burn and tire after a few runs. The boots are mine and are the 1 buckle rear entry easy on and off type. I did switch to lighter socks and am wondering if the boot is looser and I'm curling my toes to keep my foot from sliding forward. I've not adjusted anything on the boots. As I said, I know what to do, but my body won't cooperate. I will ask for help next time I go, or take a lesson if necessary. Thanks for your advice.

Perhaps it's time to trade in the old rear entry one-clippers. Get some properly fitted boots from an accredited specialist and, with a lesson or two, you'll find your skiing is revolutionised

New boots and some lessons.

Job done.

Hi, went last night, wore heavy socks. It was machine groomed, packed man-made powder, some icy patches, more of what I'm used to (fast). No problem! I know those boots are in their last season. I am just dreading the idea of all the buckles and adjustments; do like the snap and go. Any recommendtions on kinds, brands of boots that are decent, but reasonable?

Thanks for your advice.

Any of the major brands, stocked by reputable shops, will be worth considering. The key thing is to find a fitter who takes the time and trouble to explain everything and find the best boot for you, irrespective of brand, price. colour etc.

And it is time to say adios to the one-clippers; there's a good reason why people in the ski industry refer to rear entry boots as 'Wellingtons'!!!!