This episode of the New England Ski Journal Base Camp Podcast, Mike and Keith explore the anticipation for the upcoming ski season and recent announcements from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. They discuss the induction of impactful figures like Sarah Bill Meyer, Hannah Kearney, and Chuck and Jan Perkins. The episode features an interview with Rex and Karen Rex Deitesfeld, founders of Zay Boots, who share their journey of developing an innovative, American-made ski boot with a unique radial closure system offering dynamic foot stability and comfort during turns. This episode delves into the technical aspects of ski boot manufacturing, including the challenges of creating a boot suitable for various skill levels and the importance of made-in-America production.

Topics

00:22 Signs of the Upcoming Ski Season

00:52 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Inductees

03:16 The Importance of Ski Boots

04:06 The Legacy of Hanson Boots

06:36 Challenges in Ski Boot Manufacturing

08:51 Introducing Zay Ski Boots

10:25 Interview with Zay Ski Boots Founders

17:36 The Radial Closure System Explained

22:13 Comparing Zay Boots to Other Ski Boots

24:46 The Zay Ski Boot Advantage

25:24 Target Audience for Zay Boots

26:30 Innovative Boot Design and Feedback

29:03 Fit and Volume Considerations

31:06 Boot Board and Flex Technology

33:41 Material Choices and Manufacturing

40:16 Liner Design and Comfort

43:10 Market Distribution and Pricing

45:34 Conclusion and Future Prospects

47:20 Post-Interview Reflections