Shop Rat's pick Episode 1: Duke

There are lots of ways to find out what gear is best. You can ask you buddies at the office. You could read a Ski Magazine Gear guide. You could google. You can also ask someone at a ski shop. But let me tell you a little secret, If you want to know what gear is really the best you need to check out what the shop rat's are using. We may be wierd, and we may spend a lot of our hauling old ski boots and handing out kids skis, but among our shop employees are some of the best riders on the mountain. While we're in the shop, we get paid to tell you that all of our gear is great, which is true, but not all of it is created equal. Every year I get to ride close to 30 skis, and I only buy the best one.
Over the next few weeks, Ill have some guest bloggers post about their personal gear favorites. You'd be wise to listen.

Duke's picks
Ski Choice: K2 Obsethed with Look Px 12 binding. This ski is the single most versatile ski I have ever ridden. Rockered tip and tail with camber under foot makes it fantastic in soft snow with out leaving me helpless back on the groomers. k2's full sidewall construction makes the ski durable, Stable and all out rippable. If they are good enough for Seth Morrision, they are good enough for me.

Boots- Full Tilt Bumblebee Pro with Intuition Powerwrap liners
I used to get such bad shin bang, it would leave me crying at the end of every run. That's not the case since I switched to Full Tilt. With a consistent forward flex and Stiff lateral feel coupled with a Liner that wraps itself snugly right around my chicken legs.I can ski all day pain free.

Helmet- Smith Holt W/skull candy audio
this helmet is light and warm and it was relatively cheap. I paid an extra few bucks to add audio right into my helmets ear pieces so I can make pow turns to the beats of soothing melody.

thanks for reading.... More to follow!