Finding the right ski racing equipment can be challenging, especially for parents trying to balance performance, fit, growth, durability, and budget. Race skis and boots are highly specialized, popular sizes can sell quickly, and the right setup often depends on more than a basic size chart.
Located in Hunter, New York near the base of Hunter Mountain, The Pro Ski and Ride is a regional ski race center offering race equipment, professional services, and experienced guidance in one convenient location.
We regularly work with race families from Greene, Delaware, Columbia, Albany, and Ulster Counties, along with families traveling from Westchester, New York City, northern New Jersey, and Central New York communities such as Ithaca and Cortland.
Our primary focus is helping junior racers, but our race pricing, equipment, and services are also available to college racers, Masters racers, coaches, and other competitive skiers.
Discounted Ski Racing Equipment from Leading Brands
Ski racing is an equipment-intensive sport. Racers may need different skis for slalom and giant slalom, properly matched bindings, closely fitted boots, protective equipment, poles, tuning supplies, and replacement parts throughout the season.
The Pro Ski and Ride offers discounted race pricing on eligible products from many of the leading brands in ski racing. Discounts vary by brand and product category, but race pricing is generally available throughout the season.
Our race brands include:
- Atomic
- Dalbello
- Dynastar
- Fischer
- Head
- Lange
- Leki
- Look
- Marker
- Nordica
- Rossignol
- Salomon
- Stöckli
- Völkl
Eligible discounted equipment may be purchased in our Hunter ski shop, ordered online, or special ordered through the store. Special ordering gives race families access to additional sizes and models that may not be part of our regular in-store inventory.
Although race pricing is generally offered during the season, preseason is often the best time to shop. Race inventory becomes more limited as winter progresses, especially in popular junior sizes, and preseason-specific promotions may provide additional savings.
Race Skis, Race Boots, and Protective Equipment
Our race department carries equipment for developing junior athletes through FIS-level racers. We regularly stock junior and FIS race skis, along with bindings and plates designed for competitive skiing.
Our race equipment selection includes:
- Junior and FIS slalom skis
- Junior and FIS giant slalom skis
- Race bindings
- Junior race boots
- Recreational race and performance boots
- A limited selection of true plug race boots
- Slalom and giant slalom poles
- Pole guards and hand protection
- Race helmets and goggles
- Protective equipment
- A limited selection of race suits
- Tuning tools, waxes, brushes, and accessories
We also carry aftermarket ski boot components such as lifters, Booster Straps, spoilers, replacement parts, and footbeds. These products allow our boot fitters to improve support, alignment, responsiveness, and long-term durability when appropriate.
Not every race product, size, or model is available at all times. When an item is unavailable in the store, we may be able to special order it from the manufacturer or recommend an appropriate alternative.
Race Equipment Recommendations Based on Real On-Snow Experience
Race equipment should not be selected based on specifications alone. Two skis with similar dimensions may feel very different on snow, and the appropriate choice can depend on the racer’s strength, technique, event, goals, home mountain, and coaching program.
Our team tests as much race equipment as possible during on-snow product demonstrations. This allows us to evaluate how skis and boots perform beyond what appears in a manufacturer’s catalog.
We also attend industry-specific training focused on ski boot fitting and race equipment. Throughout the year, we regularly speak and collaborate with coaches to better understand what their athletes and programs need.
When selecting race skis, a coach’s recommendation is extremely valuable. A coach sees the racer on snow and has a better understanding of the athlete’s technique, speed, strength, and stage of development.
When a coach’s recommendation is not available, we can provide guidance based on the racer’s age, height, weight, ability, discipline, and current equipment. However, we encourage families to include their coach in equipment decisions whenever possible.
Race Experience Behind the Recommendations
The Pro Ski and Ride’s race department combines racing experience, race-parent experience, mountain operations knowledge, technical training, and years of working with ski families.
Gio Holmquist
Gio Holmquist is the General Manager and Head Boot Fitter at The Pro Ski and Ride. He is a former high school and college ski racer and currently trains with the Hunter Mountain Adult Masters program.
His racing and boot-fitting background helps him evaluate how equipment fit, alignment, and setup can affect a skier’s performance and progression.
Kathy Ebbers
Kathy Ebbers is a boot fitter and hardgoods expert at The Pro Ski and Ride. She is also a current Masters racer who trains with the Hunter Mountain Adult Masters program.
Her ongoing racing experience provides a current, practical perspective on equipment selection, boot performance, race preparation, and the demands athletes experience on snow.
Bruce Transue
Bruce Transue is a boot fitter and hardgoods expert with extensive experience in skiing and mountain operations. As a race parent, he has helped multiple children progress into competitive skiing at the FIS level.
Bruce previously served as head of snowmaking at Hunter Mountain and as General Manager of Belleayre Mountain. His background provides valuable insight into snow conditions, mountain operations, equipment performance, and the long-term needs of race families.
Specialized Ski Boot Fitting for Racers
Ski boots are one of the most important parts of a racer’s setup. A well-selected and properly fitted boot helps transfer movement to the ski, supports balance, and gives the athlete a consistent platform for technical development.
Race boots are generally fitted more closely than recreational ski boots. Buying a boot with too much extra room for growth can reduce control and allow the foot to move inside the shell. At the same time, junior racers need a fit that is appropriate for their age, foot shape, ability, and expected development.
Our race boot-fitting and performance services include:
- Race and junior ski boot selection
- Shell fitting and sizing
- Custom footbeds
- Shell modifications
- Liner adjustments
- Booster Strap installation
- Spoilers and fit aids
- Boot lifter installation and DIN routing
- Cuff alignment
- Advanced stance alignment
- Canting services
Aftermarket footbeds can benefit racers across a wide range of ages and ability levels by improving support and helping stabilize the foot inside the boot.
Custom footbeds are strongly recommended once a racer reaches the U16 level. They may also be appropriate for younger racers who have alignment concerns, instability, or other issues that could interfere with comfort or progression.
Boot lifters can help protect the original ski boot sole from wear. This may be particularly valuable when a race boot is expected to last for multiple seasons. Depending on the racer and boot, lifters may also provide additional boot-to-snow clearance.
Appointments are strongly recommended for race boot fitting. Limited walk-in availability may be offered during the season, but an appointment provides the time needed for proper evaluation, shell fitting, and adjustments.
Precision Race Tuning and New Ski Preparation
Race skis perform best when their bases, edges, structure, and wax are prepared for the athlete and intended conditions. A general recreational or factory tune may not provide the precision or customization that a competitive racer needs.
The Pro Ski and Ride offers a dedicated race tune package as well as professional new ski preparation. Services may include:
- Base flattening
- Custom base structures based on snow conditions and use
- Custom base and side edge angles
- Race-focused sharpening and finishing
- Infrared waxing, including premium wax
- Binding mounting, adjustment, and calibration
Racers may request specific structures and edge angles to meet their preferences or a coach’s recommendation. When no specific pattern is requested, we can select an appropriate structure based on the ski, discipline, snow conditions, and intended use.
Customers may also provide their own wax for us to apply during service.
Wintersteiger Jupiter Precision Tuning
Our shop uses a Wintersteiger Jupiter precision tuning machine. This advanced system allows our technicians to produce consistent base structures and highly accurate edge finishes.
The Jupiter provides the control needed to prepare race equipment with specific edge angles and structures rather than relying on a single general-purpose tune for every ski.
Wax Future Infrared Waxing
We also use Wax Future infrared waxing technology. Infrared waxing promotes controlled and consistent wax absorption without relying only on traditional iron application.
Wintersteiger Jupiter machines and Wax Future infrared technology are used in high-level race-preparation environments, including by technicians supporting elite and World Cup-level competition.
Typical service turnaround is approximately two to three days. Overnight service may be available upon request, depending on the time of season, current workload, and the work required.
Our tuning packages may also be shared by members of the same household, making them useful for families maintaining multiple pairs of race skis.
Professional New Race Ski Preparation
New race skis may arrive with a factory finish, but that does not always mean they are fully prepared for immediate competition. Base flatness, edge finishing, structure, and wax preparation can vary, especially after shipping from overseas.
Our new ski preparation service replaces the general factory finish with a more precise setup selected for the ski and its intended use.
New ski preparation may include:
- Checking and correcting base flatness
- Applying an appropriate base structure
- Confirming or changing edge angles
- Sidewall preparation when needed
- Finishing and polishing the edges
- Infrared wax application
This service allows new skis to arrive ready for use with a consistent, performance-focused finish.
Our Annual Race Day
Since 2020, The Pro Ski and Ride has hosted an annual preseason Race Day for racers, families, and coaches.
Race Day gives families an opportunity to meet representatives and product experts from major ski racing brands. These experts can answer in-depth questions about race ski construction, boot models, bindings, sizing, equipment changes, and product selection.
Families attending Race Day can expect:
- Representatives from leading race brands
- Access to product and technical experts
- In-stock race equipment
- Special-order opportunities
- One-day-only race promotions
- Equipment drop-off for tuning and service
Race Day is primarily focused on equipment, ordering, expert conversations, and promotions. Ski boot fittings are not performed during the event. Families purchasing or replacing boots can schedule a separate boot-fitting appointment for a later date.
Race Day dates and details are announced through The Pro Ski and Ride’s email list and social media channels.
Why Preseason Is the Best Time to Buy Race Equipment
Race equipment is produced in smaller quantities than many recreational products. Certain ski lengths, boot sizes, bindings, and protective items can become difficult to find after the season begins.
Shopping during the preseason provides several advantages:
- A wider selection of race ski lengths and boot sizes
- More time to special order unavailable equipment
- Access to preseason promotions
- Time for boot fitting and adjustments before training begins
- Time for ski mounting, new ski preparation, and tuning
- An opportunity to confirm equipment choices with coaches
We continue to sell and service race equipment throughout the winter, but availability generally decreases as the season progresses.
A One-Stop Ski Race Shop in Hunter, New York
Race families often have to purchase equipment from one location, find a boot fitter somewhere else, and then take skis to another shop for mounting or race preparation.
The Pro Ski and Ride brings these services together in one regional race center.
Families can work with us for:
- Race skis, boots, bindings, poles, and protective equipment
- Discounted racer and coach pricing
- Special orders
- Professional ski boot fitting
- Custom footbeds and alignment services
- Boot lifters and other performance modifications
- Binding mounting and calibration
- New ski preparation
- Race tuning and infrared waxing
- Tuning tools, wax, and accessories
- Ongoing equipment service throughout the season
Our Hunter location makes us accessible to ski families throughout the Catskill Mountains, Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Central New York, New York City metro area, Westchester County, and northern New Jersey.
Get Help with Your Racer’s Equipment
Parents do not need to know every technical specification before contacting us. We can help evaluate the racer’s program, discipline, ability, current equipment, and goals.
Whenever possible, bring or request a recommendation from the racer’s coach, especially for ski length. Coaches see their athletes on snow and can provide valuable insight into whether a racer is ready for a different length, construction, or equipment setup.
For more information about discounted ski race equipment, special orders, race tuning, or boot-fitting services, email thepro@theproskiandride.com or visit The Pro Ski and Ride during the season.
The Pro Ski and Ride
7535 Main Street
Hunter, NY 12442
Race Gear. Race Service. One Shop.