Elling has been testing boots since 1997, and currently manages all boot test operations. As the boot review author of America’s Best Bootfitters website for the past decade you could say he's got the inside scoop on each season's boot offerings. Utilized by the Masterfit University Training Centers (MFU) as their remote event support consultant for MFU bootfitting workshops in the U.S., he continues to work alongside the best training bootfitters in the industry. Elling winters as a full-time bootfitter at Gravity Sports at Mt. Bachelor and also at his own shop space in Bend, Oregon (for appointments: mmp@bendbroadband.com). A former board-certified Pedorthist, author of The All-Mountain Skier: The Way to Expert Skiing and current level III PSIA Alpine instructor, when he's not skiing or writing about ski boots he can be found windsurfing, surfing or trying to keep his 23-year-old Audi S6 Avant running.
Rossignol skis (a carver, a go-everywhere, a fattish), Lange boots, Look bindings, Leki adjustable carbon poles w/ Trigger S straps.
Bio (continued): Elling's photo gallery highlights the work of photographers Kirk DeVoll, Dan Campbell, Brian Robb, Buster Tronolone and Andy Tullis. All taken during boot test periods over the last several years (in case you wondered what boot testing looks like). All of these photogs deserve a shout-out for shooting enough frames that our testers can reminisce about the good times testing boots, and you can imagine yourself fitted in the right boot if you're having this much fun!
The only time I've ever had to switch my transceiver to "receive" (keep knocking on wood) was after a client at the snowcat skiing op I was guiding at didn't re-appear after venturing into the trees during his run--and of course, just then a pretty big slide let loose and ran down into that same stand of trees! We went to receive and began a quick search with just a myself and another guide. We picked up a signal, and then immediately lost it--as we were beginning to scratch our heads we saw the skier pop out of the trees well below us and ski to the designated pick-up spot. We went back to send mode and skied over a ton of debris and made our way down to him. He seemed absolutely relaxed. I asked him if he was alright and he said, "Never better! Awesome run!" We were very confused. I said, "Did you see that avalanche that ran down into the tree line that you skied?" His eyes finally widened and he said, "Hell no, I had to stop halfway down to take a crap! I didn't see any of that! You guys need to dig out the door to your outhouse!"
You mean if I was reincarnated? Maybe a Bald eagle, but they're pretty opportunistic and ruthless--hmmm, yes perhaps. Maybe a Golden eagle--but they're stuck out in the deserts and prairies. Maybe a raven, but I'd probably get stuck living near the dump and spend all my time eating garbage. Maybe a coyote but I'd probably get chased by domesticated dogs like Wally every day. Damn...this is a tough one.
Hmmmm. I have lots of skiing mentors and heros: I appreciate the advice on my technique from ski pros Georgie Bremner and Mike Rogan (and Robin Barnes when she pipes up). I appreciated the early training I received from Tom Melhuse, then of Montana Snowbowl and now of Lookout Pass, Idaho. I look at Bob Gleason of the BootDoctors of Telluride as an example of how to work in the ski business and still love skiing (and do a shitload of it). I consider all the guys and gals I work with at Masterfit University to be my mentors in how to be a better, kinder and more professional human being because they're all better at that than I am--thanks gang.
As my buddy Oz used to say about skis, "Tools not jewels!" And as my friends Neal and Erik used to (and still) say, "Shut up and ski!" And if all else fails, as my pal Kirk would say, "Point 'em straight, you won't be late!"
