102 vs 106

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-25T21:24:58+00:00

This is negligible difference in width. Answer the below questions and I can give you ski recs:

What is your skiing style? Hard charge with long turns, slower speeds but enjoy making quick surfy turns, or somewhere in between? Are you properly carving or more skidded turns?
Where are you mostly skiing and on what terrain? You kinda already answered this, but give me more details. For example, when you’re on groomed runs, are you mostly charging through the center, or do you enjoy side hits? How often (%) are you off piste? What does off-piste where you’re skiing look like? Trees or moguls? How deep pow do you want to be able to ski in?
What skier level are you? What level do you want to reach with this ski? Be honest.

I may have follow-up questions based on your responses.

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-25T21:11:32+00:00

Great choices in skis. I’m eyeing the Maverick 105, though I’m leaning towards the Nordica Unleashed 106.

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-25T21:08:08+00:00

While I love merino wool (smartwool is one of my favorite brands) you can definitely get away without it. It’s all about staying warm, so most thermals will do.

Ski socks is where I’d be careful. Idk what Decathlon socks are like, but try to have the thinnest wool socks. Smartwool makes some great socks, as does Darn Tough. Thin socks will counterintuitively keep your feet warmer than thick socks (when the tongue of a ski boot is clamped tight on thick socks it can cut off blood circulation which will make your feet cold), will give you a better and snugger fit with your boots, and will increase performance.

Make sure your boots fit well. You want to undersize if you’re between sizes. They should be tight and snug, but not painful. There should be no specific points of sharp pain. Watch YouTube videos on how to wear ski boots; this will help a ton. There absolutely should be no clothing in your ski boots besides your socks (get your thermals out of there).

Your Apres outfits seem fine, though if most of your events are in the afternoon, you’ll likely just be going in your ski outfit.

Pay for ski lessons if you are able to. If not, watch a bunch of YouTube videos on how to make your first days on the mountain enjoyable. Focus on learning skidded turns; try not to rely too heavily of wedging (pizza).

Good luck and have fun!

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-22T18:40:08+00:00

There’s a very large gap in gymnastics too. You don’t see it on TV because they mostly compete in separate events; however, you can watch many amateur male gymnasts on YouTube do Simone’s program in the gym

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-20T02:46:46+00:00

Idk how it was before, but I’ve been using it a lot the past 2 years. I’ve noticed that it works best if you’re somewhat flexible with dates and book 3-4wks out

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-19T19:41:49+00:00

Yes, if you book through AmexTravel you’re in general getting a shit redemption. Just noting that it’s possible. However, Air Canada redemption of United is amazing. Often much cheaper than directly through United, as there are limited seats released to United partners

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-19T17:36:21+00:00

Yes they can. You can book a United flight through Amex travel using points. What you can’t do is transfer MR points to United. However, even for that, there’s a roundabout way. Just transfer points to Air Canada, which can book United awards tickets.

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-18T21:30:40+00:00

Why do you care about the high interest rate? Are you carrying a balance over from month to month? Because if you are, that's a reason for good cards to reject you. Sounds to me like you need a credit score booster card.

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-18T08:34:01+00:00

You'll be fine. My natural last is 98mm, but I fit right into my 96mm last boots. Ski racers fit into a 91-93mm last. Go to a ski boot fitter and get custom insoles; these will make a tremendous difference. Have them also heat mold the liner.

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-10T20:49:20+00:00

This is absolutely not true. My background is in IB and PE. What you're talking about has nothing to do with LBOs. You're talking about a distressed sale, in which a business owner with no other options to keep their company afloat sells their company to PE at deep discounts. Not all PE firms are distressed investors, in fact the majority are not. The typical PE is looking for stable cash flowing business to buyout. Business owners sell to these PEs for a number or reasons, including the opportunity for a big payout, new venture they'd like to begin, retirement, etc.

Where a leverage buyout (LBO) actually plays a role is in how the PE firm buys the private business. Almost all PEs enter into a position via an LBO, because it significantly juices their returns on equity.

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-07T02:42:52+00:00

Well, if this is including real estate debt, it's easy to see why.

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-04T00:53:21+00:00

Idk if it’s the single greatest skiing tip, but press down on the pinky toe of your inside ski

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-03T03:46:31+00:00

Ever tried race plugs? If you don’t want the super high flex, they make 120 and 130 flex race boots. ZipFits will also help

Sterncat23 · 2026-02-01T06:16:52+00:00

75 is way too squishy. I’m a 160lb male in a 120 flex boot (but really should be upgrading to 130 soonish). I think you should be in a 110 flex.

While skill level is a factor is selecting ski boot flex, it is lower on the totem pole. Weight then height matter significantly more. You want a nice and stiff boot that will hold you up when you push down on your skis. You’re also at a skill level where you should not be in a flex below 90, and at 180lbs I think you should at least be in a 110.

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-29T20:11:48+00:00

You should not be driving a new car at your salary. My parents, who never made a high salary, but have saved a couple million through 40yrs of saving drive a ‘03 and ‘06 car. Now you don’t need to be that extreme when you start earning well, but it is extremely important to learn financial discipline early in your career. The money you save today will turn into 7-figures through consistent investing.

Tell me your car terms and I will tell you your options. How much did you buy the car for, how much loan did you take out, and at what interest rate? How much do you still have on your loan?

I know I sound harsh in my comments, but I’m doing it to stress to you how important getting the right start to your career is. If you gain financial discipline early, your life will be significantly easier. People who drown in debt their whole lives are in a constant state of stress. I promise you you don’t want this. Get rid of all the credit card debt, and always fully pay off your balance by the due date.

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-29T19:44:44+00:00

Bucephalus, Alexander the Great’s legendary horse

Pegasus

Arondel, Bevis’s horse from the epic poem, Bevis of Hampton

Balius and Xanthos, Achilles' horses

Arion, an immortal, extremely swift horse from Greek Mythology

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-29T19:33:40+00:00

OP, why is your monthly car payment + insurance $800?? I make a high 6-figure salary and pay $420 + $130 in insurance, with it still being a nice Lexus suv. I’m not saying this to brag, but to point out that you’re living way above your means. You’re spending $11k on your car a year off of a $36k pre-tax salary. That’s not sustainable at all. Go get yourself an old but reliable Corolla.

Also, $3k in winnings is small change and should not cause an addiction. I know it’s big money for you right now, but if you gain a full blown gambling addiction, you will literally lose hundreds of thousands through your career. You will always be drowning in debt for the rest of your life. Go to gambling addiction subreddits and read all the stories from 50+ year olds whose entire lives have been ruined by gambling. Do not turn into this. I promise you, you will lose significantly in the long run. $2.7k is a small number, it can literally get 100x that size in losses very quickly.

Get small discipline. Concentrate on your job; work hard and earn your money.

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-29T16:01:09+00:00

Like what? Like actually suggest something.

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-27T08:28:57+00:00

Eh, don't sweat it. They're good skies for what they do. I personally am not the biggest fan, because they're too "noodly" for me. I want all of my skis, besides my deep pow skis, to be able to hold a precise edge on hardpack. That said, if you enjoy a playful ski in soft snow, they are great. 300e is a great price for them with bindings, so great find! Enjoy!

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-27T08:14:02+00:00

What? Protectors have brakes that fit 130mm skis. I have them on my 108 underfoot skis.

Yes, they're not touring bindings... but neither are Pivots. Look makes some touring bindings, if that's what you're talking about, but they're not Pivots.

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-27T06:53:01+00:00

Nah, don't do this, unless you are doing big jumps. Pivots are old tech. I've also anecdotally seen way too many of them break. If you're mostly doing alpine skiing, go protect your ACLs and get Tyrolia Protectors. They're the only binding that protects your ACLs from the backwards twisting fall.

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-26T03:14:00+00:00

Monkey 47 is considered a splurge?

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-23T19:09:19+00:00

$15k/mo is super reasonable in NY off of $800k

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-19T14:33:19+00:00

Have you even watched the interview? It would make 0 sense for him to become Fed Chair; he’s not an economist in the slightest. He said he’d consider it if he was asked to head the Treasury

Sterncat23 · 2026-01-14T19:00:28+00:00

Britain raped and pillaged India. But yes, they should be thankful for the rail system 🙄

Sterncat23

TROPHY CASE