and it hurts like hell. i've tried thicker socks. but all i do now is lace the inner boot nice and tight then i only lace the outer boot on top of my foot real tight and tie it tight around my ankle. it works but i'm wondering if anyone else does this? the bindings tighten the rest up real nice to so my ankle is pretty stable so i cant really screw it up.

boots might be too stiff for you. Another option would be that you rode them too loose up top and ended up with a snowboarding form of shin bang. Ride the top of your boots very tight and don't give your legs room to move around in the top of the boot.

what boot is it and how much do you weigh/how good of a rider are you?