I have a confession to make: I am a gear junkie. During the past three years, I have acquired six pairs of skis, two pairs of boots, two pairs of poles, and numerous other skiing related items. Something happened that altered my perceptions about ski gear from maximizing gear lifespan and utilizing a one ski quiver to requiring differing gear for changing conditions and demands. I decided that money no longer mattered in regards to experiencing awesome turns produced by the right equipment in varying conditions.
New technologies and changing sidecuts originally got me started down the road of the gear junkie. The late 1990s into the early 2000’s saw some incredible improvements in skiing equipment. Within six years, I had upgraded skis three times with each new ski producing dramatically increased performance. By the third ski, I knew I was on the road to a new ski purchase every other year.
Increasing ability and skill level further drove my gear needs. As I began diving into glades, trees, natural snow, and thin cover situations, my skis began taking a beating. A ski I purchased for the 2003-2004 ski season lasted only two years before having a blown out sideway, chipped edges, a bent tip, and numerous core shots. The need for a dedicated rock ski became painfully apparent recently when I brought the pair of skis into a shop. The tech said he would not put the ski through the machine for fear of destroying the stone grinder.
The final stroke hit hardest when my pursuit of natural snow conditions and interesting terrain led me into the backcountry. I decided to bite the bullet up front purchasing a new pair of skis, touring bindings, and other needed equipment to begin backcountry touring New England style. Further purchases abound as there is no shortage of safety equipment for backcountry travel.
Thus, a gear junkie was born. Free time is the undoing of any gear junkie’s wallet; especially free time spent surfing the net. Ebay utilizes a feature allowing gear junkies to watch auctions and keep informed when additional cheap gear is available. The smart gear junkie quickly fixes price limits and quality requirements for gear purchased through eBay. Bidding wars over sub par merchandise is all too easy a trap to fall into when multiple gear junkies meet on the net.
When not trying to purchase gear on the cheap, a junkie loves to discuss gear with fellow junkies and make recommendations to the uninitiated. Discussion Forums such as Epicski.com’s Barking Bear Forums contain gear sections that are rife with opinion and discussion about the merits of various gear.
The wait during the off season is a constant struggle of temptation, satiation, and resignation. The stress of loosing an auction to other junkies is enough to make a gear junkie crazy. The critical decisions of which gear needs upgrading and what can wait for another year can make a jonesing junkie crazy. Powder is the only remedy to truly satisfy, but a gear junkie makes due with comparing and contrasting prices, specs, stats, and reviews when the white stuff is AWOL… much to the chagrin of my checking account and retirement fund.