Inside the Craft: BlueZone Sports' Expert Bootfitters

Posted 12.11.2025 by Admin / Category: Guides

 

At BlueZone Sports, our bootfitters are the heart of the experience. Combined, our team brings over 100 years of experience, on-snow testing, and a genuine passion for helping every skier find their ideal combination of comfort and performance. From custom footbeds to fine-tuned adjustments, our fitters understand that the right boot can transform your ski day. Meet the specialists behind the bench and discover what makes them some of the most trusted boot fitters in the Tahoe region and beyond.

 

Meet our South Lake Tahoe boot fitter, Mark Coverdale!

South Lake Tahoe - Mark Coverdale

With more than three decades of experience, Mark Coverdale brings exceptional craftsmanship and deep technical knowledge to our South Lake Tahoe location. He made his first pair of custom footbeds in 1993 and has been perfecting the art of bootfitting ever since. Mark currently skis on the Head Cruz 105 with Dynafit bindings and the Nordica Unlimited LT—gear that reflects his passion for efficient uphill travel and powerful downhill performance. His favorite place to ski is the backcountry, where he puts his expertise and equipment choices to the test—insights he brings directly into every boot fit he performs.

Visit our South Lake Tahoe location

 

Meet our South Lake Tahoe boot fitter, Dylan Stephan!

South Lake Tahoe - Dylan Stephan

With a decade of professional bootfitting experience, Dylan Stephan brings a finely tuned eye for detail and a passion for helping skiers find their perfect fit. Based in our South Lake Tahoe location, Dylan skis on Dynastar M-Free skis with Look Pivot bindings and the Dalbello Lupo boots—an energetic setup that matches his love for playful, freeride-style terrain. You'll often find him lapping Heavenly, where he puts his gear knowledge to work every day. Dylan's combination of technical expertise and real-world on-snow experience ensures each skier leaves with a boot setup tailored to their comfort, performance, and goals.

Visit our South Lake Tahoe location

 

Meet our Truckee boot fitter, Darren Padgett!

Truckee - Darren Padgett

Darren Padgett has been a cornerstone of the Tahoe ski community for decades, bringing more than 30 years of hands-on experience as a technician, bootfitter, and trusted resource at Granite Chief—now part of the BlueZone Sports family. Known for his deep product knowledge and straightforward, customer-first approach, Darren has helped thousands of skiers—from first-timers to seasoned experts—find equipment that truly performs on Tahoe's demanding terrain. His expertise spans precision boot fitting, custom footbeds, binding setup, and performance tuning, all informed by a lifetime on snow and years of real-world testing. Darren spent about a decade as a ski tester for Backcountry Magazine, giving him an exceptional ability to match skiers with the right gear based on their goals, style, and the conditions they love most. When he's not in the shop, he's skiing across Tahoe, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah, keeping up with the latest technologies and trends to better serve his customers. Darren remains proud to support the legacy and community of Granite Chief Powered by BlueZone Sports and is committed to elevating the skiing experience for every guest who walks through the door.

Visit our Truckee location

 

Meet our Carson City boot fitter, Douglas Carr!

Carson City - Douglas Carr

With 22 years of experience, Douglas Carr brings a deep-rooted passion for the craft of bootfitting to our Carson City location. He began his career at just 16 years old in a small outdoor shop in Carson City, where he quickly discovered his talent for dialing in gear, tuning skis, and helping customers get the most out of their time on snow. Since then, Douglas has worked at multiple shops throughout the Tahoe basin, continually refining his skills and living the skier's dream. Born and raised in Minden, he is Masterfit certified and combines technical expertise with a local's understanding of the terrain. Douglas skis on Dalbello Lupo 130 and 120 ski boots, paired with a fleet of Lib Tech skis—including the Wreckcreate 96, Wunderstick 115, and UFO 115—all mounted with Tyrolia Attack 14 and Armada Tracer Tour bindings. Whether you're new to skiing or chasing big-mountain performance, Douglas is committed to getting you into the perfect setup this winter.

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Meet our Carson City boot fitter, Brent Springbett!

Carson City - Brent Springbett

With an impressive 40 years of bootfitting experience, Brent Springbett is one of the most seasoned experts in the Tahoe region. His career includes working directly with industry leaders such as Dynastar, Lange, and Salomon, giving him a deep understanding of ski boot design, performance, and fit. As a Master Bootfitter, Brent brings exceptional precision and a lifetime of knowledge to every customer he works with. His personal setup features Head skis and boots, Leki poles, and Head goggles and helmet—reflecting his preference for high-performance, race-inspired gear. When he's not in the shop, you'll often find Brent at Kirkwood, his favorite mountain and longtime home terrain. He's dedicated to helping skiers achieve the best possible fit so they can ski longer, stronger, and more comfortably all season long.

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Meet our Tahoe City boot fitter, Kyle McCrary!

Tahoe City - Kyle McCrary

With nine years in the ski industry—including three focused specifically on bootfitting—Kyle McCrary brings a well-rounded, dual-sport perspective to our Tahoe City location. A skier and snowboarder who grew up riding the legendary terrain off KT-22, Kyle blends technical knowledge with firsthand experience across both disciplines. His ski setup features the Atomic Hawx Prime BOA boot paired with Rossignol Black Ops skis and Tyrolia Attack bindings, while his snowboard kit includes the ThirtyTwo Austen Sweetin boots, a Lib Tech Box Scratcher, and Burton Custom bindings. Kyle's ability to understand the needs of skiers and riders alike makes him an invaluable resource for anyone looking to elevate their performance and comfort on the mountain.

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Meet our Roseville boot fitter, Erik Lewis!

Roseville - Erik Lewis

Erik Lewis brings decades of expertise to our Roseville location, having started his ski shop career during Tahoe's historic 1997 winter and stepping into boot fitting just a few years later in 2000. Over the years, he has earned a Masterfit Plus Ski Boot Fitting Certificate and developed a reputation for precision, professionalism, and a deep understanding of skier biomechanics. Erik joined BlueZone Sports in 2021 and continues to be a trusted resource for all athletes of all levels. His personal setup includes the Dalbello DRS 140 ski boots with Masterfit custom footbeds and a Booster Strap, paired with Volkl Racetiger SL World Cup skis mounted with Marker Comp 16 bindings. Erik's favorite places to ski range from Mt. Bachelor in Oregon to Tahoe's Alpine Meadows and even Åre Ski Resort in Sweden. Off the hill, he's a fan of premium, performance-driven gear like the Norrøna Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Shell, POC helmets and goggles, Hestra gloves, and Leki WCR TBS poles. Erik's blend of technical mastery and global ski experience makes him an invaluable member of our boot fitting team.

Visit our Roseville location

 

Visit a BlueZone Sports location today!

Whether you're gearing up for your first season or fine-tuning your setup for peak performance, our team of expert bootfitters is here to help you ski better, longer, and more comfortably. Each fitter combines hands-on skill with real-world mountain experience to deliver a personalized fit you can trust. Visit your nearest BlueZone Sports location to work with one of our specialists and step into a boot that's truly built around you.

 

 


 

Author

Kyle R. — Kyle is an avid outdoor enthusiast who spends summers hiking through the Sierra Nevada and Canadian Rockies, and winters skiing and snowshoeing across the Tahoe region. He brings his passion for mountain adventure into every story he shares at BlueZone Sports.

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