Winter approaches and it is time for new skis. I took my first lesson fourteen years ago, and have been skiing avidly since I moved to Seattle, but I have always made do with older, second-hand equipment. It’s better than nothing, but as my skills have developed over the last couple of years I have definitely felt like my gear is holding me back. After last season I decided enough was enough; I demoed six or eight models, figured out what I liked, and decided that before I started skiing this winter I would go buy a solid pair of brand-new skis.

Today was the day. Ava and I went down to REI first thing this morning and I headed straight for the ski department. I considered a pair of Völkls but ultimately stuck with my original choice, the Salomon x-wing hurricane, 180cm. It’s a solid, versatile all-mountain ski, and while it might be a little challenging right now, I expect to grow into it by the end of the season.

Can’t wait to try them out.