The legendary Larry’s Bootfitting shop in Boulder, Colorado is under new ownership this season. Veteran boot fitters Dan and Elaine Vardimas took over the shop this past summer, and Larry Houchen hit the Oregon Trail. The main thing you’ll notice this season, besides the absence of the shop’s namesake founder, is new carpeting, benches, and chairs. Loyal customers may miss Larry’s banter but no one has complained about the new carpet. Elaine always has a smile on her face and Dan is the epitome of calm assurance to those who aren’t familiar with the full process of getting a superb fitting boot.
Dan and Elaine are veteran bootfitters, learning Larry’s tricks for making stiff plastic ski boots feel as comfortable as can be – snug without crushing your feet, yet soft without being sloppy. The understand comfort is performance. Custom footbeds remain a staple at Larry’s Bootfitting, and heat moldable liners. They’re also full spectrum skiers who are as comfortable on skinny Nordic skis as fat alpine boards. That Nordic perspective is part of why this year Telemark boots have returned as a staple to their inventory.
In recent years Telemark boots could be obtained by special request, but not same day. While they don’t offer many models to chose from, the one they stock, Scarpa’s TX-Pro, is unquestionably the Telemark boot of choice for 90% of free heeled customers. And for those who insist on something else, either the classic T1 or T2 75mm Telemark boots, or the TX-Comp, ScarpaUSA is just down the street – only two miles and three turns away.
When they’re not fitting boots, Dan and Elaine are relaxing at their home in Nederland, or on a trail somewhere in the mountains, not necessarily in Colorado.
Larry’s Bootfitting
1665 Folsom Ave
Boulder, CO 80302
© 2022