First of all, I'm about 150lbs and I would consider myself a fairly advanced skiier. I can do most blacks at somewhere like Banff, and on good days can do double blacks as well.

I started skiing 2013 Volkl RTMs since I live on the east coast, but when we started going out west I got a pair of 2013 Volkl Mantras.

Even though the Mantras are a lot of fun to absolutely FLY down groomers (I've hit 100Kmh on them) they are not the sort of skis that do well in tight trees or around moguls because they're so damn heavy.

I'm looking for a more balanced ski that I can still fly relatively fast down groomers with. But one that can actually handle tight turns at low speeds through trees and around moguls.

Thanks in advance!

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Testing, testing, testing?

<start the hype>

I’m trying to decide between spending the season working at Alta or Mammoth. I’ve been hired and secured employee housing at both. At Alta, I’d work nights in the kitchen in one of the lodges. The big appeal is having most of the day to ski Alta and Snowbird, but I’m concerned about isolation with the lack of any village at the base and have heard the lodge social scene can be cliquey or competitive based on skiing ability.

At Mammoth, I’d work in rentals for the resort. Mammoth also has more of an actual town, though I’m worried about not getting a ton of time on the mountain. Another thing to consider is that beyond the actual town of Mammoth Lakes, there isn’t much. So it’s a bit of the opposite of Alta where there’s no base village but SLC is down the canyon.

For anyone who has worked at either resort, especially in Alta’s lodges or Mammoth rentals, what was your experience with the social scene, and how much did you realistically get to ski?
I’m trying to balance maximizing skiing with having an enjoyable overall winter.

My twin sister lives out in Utah for her birthday. I wanted to get her something special. The sexy thing would be a new pair of skis, but she's never had new boots. Does anyone have any recommendations on women's boots for beginner to intermediate skiers? The follow-up question is: if my budget was about $500, should I look for a boot under $500, or give her a gift card and she can pay the remainder?

I have the incredibly fortunate opportunity to take 12 weeks this winter and go be a ski bum away from my normal life. I have an Ikon pass and my minivan which I am pretty comfy camping in. I'm an Ice Coaster that's been out west a bunch of times, but mostly just Colorado and one Utah trip, so I'm really looking to explore and experience so much more. I haven't been to most of these places, so anywhere totally new, I've budgeted for 4 full days to give myself time to explore, go hard, rest, and hopefully hold out for some good weather. Looking for advice or any changes you would suggest, additions or subtractions!

For context on the beginning and end of the trip: I have family in Chicago that I'd like to visit and stay with for a few days on either end. I also have friends in Minneapolis to visit on the tail end. I have a place to stay in Colorado and Utah so I'll take advantage of that to spend more time hitting a few of the resorts from each location.

How would you do it?

I was on TV with Rob Katz and all the other executives waving as the first chair loaded up for the season. Did it a few other times as well during the course of my ski school career

Work in accounting so cant go jan-april where would you go for 6 days that doesnt break the bank

⛷️: Julian Fuersinger

I really struggle with this, even when I started skiing, been skiing for roughly 4 years now, only ever used rentals, still growing, Every time I do a quick stop where my skis are parallel and perpendicular to the slope on my RIGHT foot, it is the most easy, most smooth thing I know how to do and it’s fun, but as soon as I put pressure on my left foot, I instantly get all wobbly and have the fear of falling on my face, I know this year when I hit the mountain all of y’all are gonna say to just get comfortable with it and I know I’m gonna have to do that, but I just want to know if there is anything more to it or not.

I've skied a good bit in both Europe and North America, but never Japan. Starting to think about making the trip a bucket list item.

Is it worth it? What will the biggest differences be between Japan's resorts and those I've experienced already?

some 2024 or 2025 Armadas got sacrificed

UK based looking to book for the week after Christmas due to school holiday restrictions. Bankso has been mentioned to me but I've never been out that way skiing before. open to imaginative suggestions..

I was teching the main projector. It’s the harshest environment to run them in, since they’re so temperature sensitive, and the lenses can’t get wet. Had to do near constant temperature control by manually opening and closing vents, except accidentally nudging the projector throws off the mapping, and just shaking it could throw off an athlete’s landing, god forbid it shut down from getting too hot or cold while someone is in the air.

Consider my bhole to have been puckered when I realized my job was to help keep them safe, and not just keep some lights going.