I ve only just found this site and am really interested in the ski tech stuff...maybe some of this can help others..im based in verbier in switzerland and have spent the last ski season on the auras 163 with daimir touring bindings and black diamond skins-awesome set up Im 5'3 130lbs-they ll get you out of trouble, hold a line in bumps and can handle g s turns through crud-I ve thrown them about and much preferrred them to my K2 phat luvs that were great for intermediates and i ve given them to a friend. As an advanced/expert skier I just out powered them but great for intro to powder....thinkin about getting 170 auras for next year just to blast down through steeper powder or cruddier conditions..other gear I really rate-giro fuse lids-i ve got x small-you can adjust to fit by adding foam pads used for boot liners at the back of the lid just above the nape of your neck, hestra gloves (THE warmest glove ever-washable fleece liner), peak performance technical clothing-great cut, feminine and will cope with all weather-sometimes the more tech clothing can make women lose their feminine side!! just a thought for the girl looking for poles-i ve found that if you ve got small palms and wanna hike and carry both in one hand the standard poles are too wide if you ve got your gloves on-i ve got the scott composite poles which are super narrow-way easier to carry!! hope this helps some of you 
