And just a friendly reminder to those with boots and helmet:
Proper boots storage:
Out of direct sun
Nothing left inside them that may pressure the liner or foot bed
Buckled to the same tension that you ski
Dry Climate controlled room that doesn't drop below about 50 or above 90.
Proper helmet storage:
Same as boots
When to replace boots:
Any cracks on outside shell
150/200 ski days
6-8 years
Packed out liner
Broken hardware
ADVANCED SKILL LEVEL
When to replace helmet:
Cracks, dents, or deep scratches on the outer shell.
Inner foam that feels soft, spongy, or shows flat spots.
Frayed, stretched, or damaged chin straps and broken buckles.
AND THE BIGGEST ONE OF ALL: after EVERY hard fall. If your head hits the ground ice a tree or anything else that would've exploded your melon, time for a new helmet regardless of visible damage. The vibration through the shell and liner is degraded.
Helmets are intended to save your **** ONCE. After the first hard fall, the integrity deteriorates significantly and you can't see it. Obviously they still work, but at a far far far lower funcionality.
Old helmets are probs the piece of gear we see used too long by most recreational skiers.
Edited to add:
We also NEVER wear 2 pairs of socks and we never tuck anything into our boot including or long handles. The only thing that goes in your boot is a sock.
That also means NEVER put foot warmers like hot hands in your boot and if you do have that bad idea NEVER put the under your toes. ALWAYS on top or you'll burn your toes off: literally.
We also never match all spyder and especially not all matching w an all matching partner unless you speak Spanish. If you speak Spanish, it's 100% allowed.
If you speak Spanish you're also allowed to wear a microwave jacket. Otherwise, let's let that trend die folks. We need the mountain as cold as we can keep it.
https://www.instagram.com/microwaves.of.vail?stkn=eG0zeDg4aHhkcTNk 
