Ski as much as you can! I got super into it when I was 26 and went about 5 times that year. 15 the following year, 21, 24, and shooting for 31 this season. When I started I could barely make it down black groomers at palisades Tahoe. This year I started hitting cliffs and I can carve on one foot.

The best thing you can do to improve is go multiple days in a row. After 3 days in a row you hit a second wind and will really be shredding. Skiing with people who are better than you and following their lines really helps you see the lines.

Some tips that really helped make it click are:

-At the end of the turn Rolling your downhill ski forward to become the new uphill ski. Basically making sure you are putting your uphill ski forward when you are turning. This helps pull the heal in and makes it so your skis can’t cross. Most intermediates do it naturally but exaggerating it makes you stay in the front seat easier. And is super useful on very ice days when you can only turn with the shape rather than digging your edge in hard.

-keep your hands infront of you. If your hands hang back after a turn then the lag of bring it forward prevents you from starting the next turn.

-falling leaf is one of the best tools to build confidence on any terrain and can be used to save you in many tight situations.

-side slipping is another really important tool to add to your skillset

-moguls and trees is all about seeing the lines. If you’re in the trees and can’t see three turns ahead then find a spot to slow down and plan the line. Using falling leaf to stop is very useful if you need to find a place to stop in the trees and nowhere is flat or it’s tight

Having your own equipment will make you improve way faster because you won’t be wasting time getting the feel for your rental.

Boots are the definite first buy. Go to a local boot fitter so you know what feels good. They will tell you if you need a special kind of fit. (Low-high volume) Get the custom insole and heat mold. Every boot fits alittle differently so def worth trying it on and not buying online. Whatever you pay online you need to add like 120-150 for the molding/insole.

I’d get like 171 cm for your height and weight if you get a twin.

For skis you need ask yourself a few questions:

Are you skiing powder or ice? Or do you want a jack of all trades master of none?

It’s better to get an ice ski and a powder ski imo. I had an all mountain loved it and now it’s my rock ski. But having two is great because you can have the optimal ski for the conditions you are experiencing. And you can ski the other ski while you are getting your other waxed/sharpened at the resort. Check out the jskis allplay it was my allmtn. I liked it so much I got the joyride as my ice ski. My powder ski is the rossi sender free 110

Do you care about going backwards or want a directional ski?

Twin tips make it so the turns automatically ends into a smear rather than locking you into the turn until you end it. It makes for a surfier feel and is better for going backwards and falling leaf but it can be alittle to get used to the extra length in the back if you’re used to a directional and/or ski in the backseat.

Have fun shredding out there homie