Purchasing or hiring ski boots in Nozawa Onsen

[Stealthflyer]

I’ve not skiied in Japan before, so I’m hoping to get some advice about ski boots. I usually hire boots, but I have terrible trouble finding ski boots that fit my chunky calves. Usually I ski in Italy, so I worry that I’ll have even more trouble hiring boots in Japan.

Is it tricky finding boots to hire in Nozawa Onsen, or are there enough Australian tourists to accommodate all sizes?

Because we are spending a second week in another ski area, I’m alternatively considering buying some so that I don’t have to go through the fitting process twice. Am I better of trying to buy some in Japan on arrival (and if so, does anyone have any recommended places?), or should I try to purchase some on an upcoming trip to Melbourne? Is it cheaper and easier to buy them in Australia?

 

[markis10]

Paging @Cynicor & @rugbyskier to the white courtesy phone for input

 

[Ausbt]

Noz has a high volume of inbound Aussies and additionally has many lodges run by this mob Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort | Accommodation, Rentals, Lift Passes & more who I understood to be Oz-owned. They offer ski hire themselves and are very helpful with info so hit them up for more info. Alternatively the www.ski.com.au forum Japan which has both Noz and a dedicated ski-gear-shopping-Tokyo thread, with Kanda being the hotspot for stores. I have my own boots so can't speak for the rental fleets in Noz, but fellow travelers with me on a few trips there haven't complained. On my last trip (Hakuba) I was with someone who also had chunky calves and they opted for some rear-entry boots. Ironically trying to find rear-entry boots in any other place than Japan can be hard, but you'd be amazed at some of the vintage equipment available in Japan, alongside modern gear. They love retro up there.

 

[rugbyskier]

Paging @Cynicor & @rugbyskier to the white courtesy phone for input

Seeing that I've been paged I'll add my 2c worth.

I'm of the firm opinion that anyone skiing on a regular basis should purchase their own boots and be prepared to set aside several hours to do so, as you need to try a pair of boots on for at least 10-15 minutes to determine if there are pressure points that would cause foot pain.

I have visited the ski shop strip on Yasukuni-dori in the Kanda-Ogawamachi/Ochanomizu area of Tokyo several times and there are plenty of different boot brands available. The potential drawback is that if you don't speak Japanese the process is likely to be long, complex and have the potential for misunderstandings. Also, if you have a larger foot size they may not have stock available as it caters to the local market and not gaijin.

As I live near Canberra and work at Thredbo I can only comment on local stores, although I do know the former APSI trainer/examiner who owns the Aussieskier store in Prahran, Melbourne. Andy Burford at Wild Brumby and Harro's at Lake Crackenback, together with Gravity at Thredbo and Jindabyne all have very good boot fitters, who will look at all the characteristics of your feet and select a couple of brands that will best fit. For example, I have a wide front foot, narrow heel and high instep, so the current best fitting boots for me are Nordica or Dalbello. The only issue with purchasing in Australia now is that the stores are low on stock post-winter and may have yet to get in next year's stock.

So in summary, look at getting your own boots and if you can do it in Australia then do it before you go, or have a good translator app on your phone to do it in Japan.