If you realize (which you don't) that buyer's guides are influenced by the advertisers then you would know that ski tests, reviews, etc are completely biased and don't tell you anything for real. None of them do period. Wanna know what they are going to be like for you? Go demo them first.
Yah, i know nothing about skiing either. Really, the number of posts on ns. That equates to everything. In case you missed the giant title on the cover of the magazine, IT'S A BUYERS GUIDE not a real magazine issue.
yup, sounds like either lift construction/maintenence or working at a resort in say vehicle maintenence working on cats, sleds and trucks might be the way to go for you then.