America’s Best Bootfitters Mt. Bachelor Boot Test Team 2010
Take note that expert boot testers are hard to come by. Ski testers? A dime a dozen—anybody can test a ski! Testing skis is fun—but testing boots? Testing boots is work and torture and we do it for the glory, certainly not the money. Sometimes the sushi dinners are good though. No, seriously, a good boot tester is somebody who understands his or her own foot shape, typical fit issues, personal alignment quirks, brand and stiffness preferences, and can put all that stuff to the side in order to give a fresh boot a fresh look, objectively, and then have something witty to say about it that will help a reader discern whether that boot might work for them. And sometimes they have to do this under severe levels of discomfort. Sometimes this makes for entertaining boot review reading. But those reviews are rarely published.
Take a look at the characters listed below. They are some of the very best boot testers on the face of the planet, and that is not a lie—as real boot tests are a rarity. The America’s Best Bootfitters Mt. Bachelor Boot Test is a one-of-a-kind affair. Nobody else tests boots in as thorough a manner as we do. Why do we bother? We’re psychotic. We actually like this stuff, and feel like skiers deserve better information about boots than just some marketing drivel delivered straight from the corporate tap. As you read our reviews, pay attention to testers who have similar frames or gear combos to yours. That might provide insight into which boots you might like.
And hey, if you want to become a tester, there’s an opportunity for that at next year’s test...we’re opening up the team to a few select individuals who want to subject themselves to the rigors and rewards of boot test camp. Click here to send us an email. Tell us a bit about yourself and why you think you will make a good boot tester.
Team Roster
- Scott Blackwell
- Vitals
- 6’1", 168#, shoe size = 11, boot size = 27
- Gear
- Dynastar Contact, Lange Comp 120, Look bindings
- Boot Mods
- custom footbeds, toe length stretch/grind, forefoot width stretch, additional tongue shims, remove rear spoilers, heel lifts
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine instructor teaching at Mt. Bachelor, owner/operator of High Desert Drifters Guides & Outfitters fly fishing service on Oregon's Deschutes river, 25 years ski shop and bootfitting experience, 20 years certified by PSIA.
- Steve Cohen
- Vitals
- 6’3”, 210#, shoe size = 12, boot size = 28
- Gear
- Head Monster 177cm., Salomon Impact 10, Head Mojo 12 bindings
- Boot Mods
- Instaprint custom footbeds, big toe punch and navicular relief on left boot only
- About
- CEO Masterfit Enterprises, created first-ever independent on-hill boot test in 1988 when serving as executive editor of Ski Magazine.
- Lance Cygielman
- Vitals
- 6’0”, 180#, shoe size = 10.5, boot size = 27
- Gear
- K2 Apache Recon 184cm, Tecnica Dragon 120, Marker bindings
- Boot Mods
- minor adjustments (he swears Tecnica fits his feet so damm well out of the box).
- About
- Western Divison Sales Manager for Ski Organizers/Tours de Sport ski travel and owner of PWDR Productions(adventure travel company based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming). Poor Lance has his office just steps away from the brand new Jackson Hole Tram, giving new meaning to just a few lunch runs. Has been fortunate to travel around the world checking out new and exciting ski destinations(for work).
- Ross Duncan
- Vitals
- 5’11”, 160#, shoe size = 10, boot size = 27
- Gear
- Atomic Blog 183cm., Atomic Nuke 130, Atomic bindings
- Boot Mods
- InstaPrint footbeds, grind for big toe room, grind for heel spurs, grind for 6th toe
- About
- Full-time guide for Cat Ski Mt. Bailey in southern Oregon, NW ski marketing liaison, professional raft guide on Oregon’s Deschutes river for Sun Country Tours in Bend, OR. Formerly worked as ski technician for Lone Mountain Sports in Big Sky, MT.
- Brian Elling
- Vitals
- 5’9”, 165#, shoe size = 10, boot size = 26.5
- Gear
- needs skis!, Salomon Impact 10, Rossignol bindings
- Boot Mods
- too numerous and strange to mention here
- About
- bootfitter and ski salesperson Gull Ski, Missoula, Montana 8 years, ski instructor Montana Snowbowl 11 years, illustrator of The All-Mountain Skier: The Way to Expert Skiing, 2nd ed. (McGraw-Hill)
- Liz Elling
- Vitals
- 5’5", 130#, shoe size = 7.5 D, boot size = 22.5
- Gear
- Rossignol Voodoo BC 110 166cm., Nordica Dobermann Pro 130, Rossignol demo bindings
- Boot Mods
- stretch for length and for width at forefoot, Booster strap, InstaPrint footbeds, heel lifts
- About
- certified PSIA level II alpine (expired), equestrian worker, snowcat driver for Cat Ski Mt. Bailey, Crash Queen.
- Mark Elling
- Vitals
- 5’10", 170#, shoe size = 11, boot size = 26.5/27.0
- Gear
- Rossignol S7 188cm, Rossignol B-Squad 130, Rossignol demo bindings, drink PBR
- Boot Mods
- stretch/grind for length, stretch for forefoot width and styloid process, punch inside ankle pocket, grind outside ankle pocket, grind heel spurs, InstaPrint footbeds, liner tonguectomies for midfoot bumps
- About
- bootfitter instructor for Masterfit University, certified PSIA level III alpine, author of The All-Mountain Skier: The Way to Expert Skiing, 2nd ed. (McGraw-Hill), head bootfitter at Mt. Bachelor Ski & Sport.
- Mike Evans
- Vitals
- 5’6”, 154#, shoe size 9, boot size = 27
- Gear
- Head Monster 78 171cm., Head Raptor 125, Tyrolia bindings
- Boot Mods
- InstaPrint footbeds, stance alignment, liner molding
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine, level I Nordic Telemark, Children’s Accreditation, certified USSA level 400, youth alpine race coach and administrator for Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation(MBSEF), previously served as ski school director Mt. Spokane (’82–’83), 26 years teaching/supervising at Mt. Bachelor, 25 years coaching for MBSEF, J-4/J-5 coach to US Ski Team members Tommy Ford and Laurenne Ross.
- Bill Farwig
- Vitals
- 5’8”, 160#, shoe size = 8, boot size = 25/26
- Gear
- Salomon Czar/Lord 184cm., Salomon X3 Lab, Salomon STH 16 bindings
- Boot Mods
- nada
- About
- former U.S. Ski Team men's coach, currently a dad, previously served as K2 west race rep, Salomon World Cup downhill service tech in Canada and U.S., Salomon Race and Promotions manager, Ski Racing magazine contributing writer.
- Kevin Gabriel
- Vitals
- 5’11”, 115# (not! try a 2 in front of that Kev), shoe size =9.5D, boot size = 26.5
- Gear
- K2 Obsethed 189cm, Rossignol B-Squad 130, Salomon S912
- Boot Mods
- custom footbeds, stretch toebox for length and width, navicular stretches, midfoot bump up-stretches & liner tonguectomies for same, liner C-Pads for inside ankle bones
- About
- salesman, bootfitter, and demo technician Mt. Bachelor Ski & Sport; 15 years experience in ski and snowboard retail.
- Joanna "Jojo" Greene
- Vitals
- 5’5”, 145#, shoe size = 8.5, boot size = 25.5
- Gear
- Volkl Kiku, Nordica W10
- Boot Mods
- custom boot fitting by Jim Mates in Seattle
- About
- ski school coach Stevens Pass, project manager Bumbershoot fireworks show, signage manager 2010 winter Olympic Games--Whistler, BC, adult program supervisor (2 years) Big Bear Mountain Resort, adult program and multi-week program supervisor (2 years) Summit at Snowqualmie, adult program and multi-week program supervisor (2 years) Stevens Pass.
- Brad Jacobson
- Vitals
- 5’8”, 180#, shoe size = 10W, boot size = 27
- Gear
- Blizzard WorldCup SL 165cm., Tecnica Agent 130, Marker bindings
- Boot Mods
- carved on liner, punched shell for 6th toe
- About
- level 400 USSA, certified PSIA level III alpine, currently full time ski coach for Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation (MBSEF) and ski instructor at Mt. Bachelor, formerly collegiate ski racer Rocky Mountain College, USSA competitor (Nationals and Nor-Ams), 18 years full-time coaching experience.
- Linda Parazoo
- Vitals
- 5’8”, 135#, shoe size = 7, boot size = 23/24
- Gear
- Dynastar Contact Ti, Lange Banshee Women's, Look bindings
- Boot Mods
- none
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine, USSA level 100, currently Willamette University Alpine Race Team coach (3 years) and surgical assistant for Oregon Oral and Facial Surgeons, 15 years PSIA certification.
- Colin Katka
- Vitals
- 5’6”, 194#, shoe size = 9.5E, boot size = 25.5
- Gear
- Surface Watch Life 172cm., Lange World Cup 130, Look P18
- Boot Mods
- heel lifts and shims on tongues
- About
- certified PSIA level II alpine, level II freestyle, currently working as ski instructor and cinematographer/videographer, 4 years coaching for West Albany ski team, 5 years ski instructor Mt. Bachelor specializing in private lessons and park/pipe instruction, corporate buyer for snowsports for Andersons Sporting Goods (6 years).
- Erik Korman
- Vitals
- 6’1”, 190#, shoe size = 9.5, boot size = 26.5
- Gear
- Rossignol Phantom 87 186cm., Rossignol B-Squad 130, Rossignol bindings
- Boot Mods
- InstaPrint footbeds, boot-board shim, then shut-up and ski
- About
- level 1 USSA coach in the preceeding century, currently serving as Mt. Bachelor Ski & Sport Retail Manager and Hardgoods Buyer (10 years), previously served as Rossignol factory sales rep (3 years), Mt. Gilboa (MN) race coach (3 years), MN State Slalom Champion.
- John May
- Vitals
- 6’2”, 200#, shoe size = 11, boot size = 28
- Gear
- Rossignol Ti 80 175cm., Rossignol Radical WC 140, Rossignol demo bindings
- Boot Mods
- grind for heel bones, forefoot width punches
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine, owner of remodeling company, 10 years PSIA instruction, currently PSIA-NW Divisional Clinic Leader, race coach for Hood River Valley, OR.
- Lee Ann Ross
- Vitals
- 5’4”, 165#, shoe size = 8.5W, boot size = 25.5
- Gear
- Rossignol B1/B3 160cm., Salomon X-Wave 9, Rossignol bindings
- Boot Mods
- custom footbeds, heel lifts, toepiece binding shim, remove rear spoiler, ZipFit liners
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine (since 1973), currently ski instructor for Mt. Bachelor, retired from Foreign Service, won Nastar Nationals in 1973 (22).
- Heather Risseeuw
- Vitals
- 5’3”, 145#, shoe size =6.5, boot size = 23/24
- Gear
- Atomic 157cm., Rossignol Race 2, Atomic bindings
- Boot Mods
- custom footbeds and liner/shell work for navicular bone
- About
- previously certified as level II ski patroller (Mt. Bachelor patrol 6 years), 12 years ski retail experience at 4 Seasons Recreational Outfitters, 8 years coaching for Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation, 4 years ski instruction for Mt. Bachelor, and served as on-call snowcat skiing guide for Cat Ski Mt. Bailey; currently employed as wildland fire fighter and snowplow driver for the State of Oregon.
- Brian Schiller
- Vitals
- 5’11”, 185#, shoe size = 10.5, boot size = 27.5
- Gear
- Fischer Motive 84 175cm., Fischer Progressor 120, Fischer X12 bindings
- Boot Mods
- custom footbeds
- About
- currently sales rep for Fischer (NW).
- Chris Smith
- Vitals
- 5’5”, 155#, shoe size = NA, boot size = 25.5
- Gear
- Salomon Dumont 181, Salomon SPK, Salomon bindings
- Boot Mods
- custom footbeds
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine, level II freestyle, level I telemark; currently recreation director for Seventh Mountain Resort and head freeride coach for Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation (MBSEF), previously served as Mt. Bachelor ski school manager (10 years), USSA level 100 coach and technical supervisor, IJC level C judge.
- Laurent "Larry" Smith
- Vitals
- 6’0”, 175#, shoe size = 11, boot size = 27
- Gear
- Rossignol Phantom 87 186cm., Rossignol Zenith 120, Rossignol Axial 120 bindings
- Boot Mods
- InstaPrint footbeds, grinds for heel spurs
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine, level II nordic, elite level cycling coach, and USSA level 100 coach; currently full-time ski instructor for Mt. Bachelor (teaching total of 40 years, technical director 15 years), during summer guides European bicycle tours.
- Emmy Spenlinhauer
- Vitals
- 5’3”, 135#, shoe size = 8, boot size = 24.5
- Gear
- Volkl Aura, Tecnica Attiva Diablo 24.5, Rossignol bindings
- Boot Mods
- grind/punch 6th toe
- About
- currently coaching for Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation (MBSEF), previously coached for Loon race team in New Hampshire (5 years), attended Burke Mountain Academy and was a member of the UNH Ski Team.
- Patrick Sullivan
- Vitals
- 5’9”, 183#, shoe size = 9.5, boot size = 25
- Gear
- K2 Explorer 174cm. & Crossfire 167cm., Dolomite X12, Marker MX12
- Boot Mods
- upper cuff adjustment, grinds for base of 5th metatarsal, InstaPrint footbeds
- About
- board-certified pedorthist (C.Ped.), head bootfitter at Mountain Gear in Spokane, WA, Masterfit University bootfitting instructor.
- Holly Tencer
- Vitals
- 5’4”, 135#, shoe size = 8, boot size = 24.5
- Gear
- Dynastar Contact Groove, Lange, Look bindings
- Boot Mods
- custom footbeds, grind for 6th toe, grind/stretch for inside ankle bone
- About
- certified PSIA level III alpine, CSCF 1, AASI-1; part-time ski instructor at Mt. Hood Meadows, part-time race coach for Cooper Spur race team, Production Manager Kerrits Equestrian Apparel; previously taught full-time at Jackson Hole and Whistler, BC (3 years each), part-time teaching at Alpental, WA, 19 years ski teaching experience.
