Ski Center is a top-notch shop with superb (and world-known) bootfitters. They also are great about setting up beginners. When they were in Spring Valley more than a decade ago, they got us set up with our first pairs. We recently got fitted for new stuff and many of the same employees are now owners of the shop. Make an appointment. They sell good stuff, have decent prices (right now old season stock is 30% off), and great people.

Is Sun&Ski or The Ski Center better for fittings of ski boots and skis? (both in Gaithersburg)

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore ski warehouse near BWI. They have a lot of used stuff, which is perfect for your situation.

I bought boots and used skis here and while it's a decent place to get gear, unless you live near Baltimore I don't think it is worth the drive. They fit my boots some, but did not do a full custom boot fitting, not even sure they offer that.

Plus if you live close to Sun ski you can benefit from things like the free waxing if you buy skis where I am not driving to BWI for a free ski wax.

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore ski warehouse near BWI. They have a lot of used stuff, which is perfect for your situation.

Also had a good experience here. I could try lots of options and the sales staff were very helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wasn’t sure which forum to include this!

Looking for tips on what factors to consider when buying ski boots, and a store with helpful salespeople (anywhere in DC area).

This will be our first time purchasing - we ski 1-2 times a year and are tired of using painful rental boots. I feel like we could keep renting skis but better boots will improve our experience.

Thanks for advice!

Make an appointment with a boot fitter at or near the resort you're going to. Boot fitters here are so so at best.

Depends on the resort. Wouldn’t do that at Snowshoe, for example.

The people at REI in Bailey's seem knowledgable to me, but I've never done any fitting.

Anonymous wrote:Wasn’t sure which forum to include this!

Looking for tips on what factors to consider when buying ski boots, and a store with helpful salespeople (anywhere in DC area).

This will be our first time purchasing - we ski 1-2 times a year and are tired of using painful rental boots. I feel like we could keep renting skis but better boots will improve our experience.

Thanks for advice!

Make an appointment with a boot fitter at or near the resort you're going to. Boot fitters here are so so at best.

Baltimore ski warehouse near BWI. They have a lot of used stuff, which is perfect for your situation.

We always go to Alpine in Sterling.

+1 Sun and ski but in Gaithersburg

Sun and Ski in Falls Church are awesome!

Wasn’t sure which forum to include this!

Looking for tips on what factors to consider when buying ski boots, and a store with helpful salespeople (anywhere in DC area).

This will be our first time purchasing - we ski 1-2 times a year and are tired of using painful rental boots. I feel like we could keep renting skis but better boots will improve our experience.

Thanks for advice!