@Philpug - last year was my first year skiing, but i managed to get 58 days in at which point Snowbird closed for the year... I had considered the K2 iKonic last year, but decided against them (went with Atomic Blackeye TI). And I concur about the MXs. When I was first shopping, I told the guy I was interested in those - his response was a smile and a very polite "you're not ready for those" and apologized for saying that (you know you're in the right place when they downsell you on product!). I progressed further than I could have imagined and am wanting to upgrade, but also not wanting to be a gear hound and wind up doing this every year. Well, that's what I say to myself now, anyway... that I also have K2 Pinnacle 95 (loved these until Spring conditions) and ON3P Kartel 98s (like, i think - definitely not loving them, but there are a lot of factors playing in to my assessment of these skis) is probably a good indicator that I'm lying to myself.