Name: Kevin Luby, assistant editor
Age: 24
Height: 5’11” in ski boots
Weight: That’s kind of personal, but 190 lbs.
Dream Ski: Surface New Life 184. Last season I feel in love with symmetrical/center-mounted skis thanks to a pair of Nordica Zeros I subsequently trashed. I also want to catch up with the rocker revolution. Two birds with one stone. I also like “Early Rise/Low Rise” concept and design behind this ski and I take comfort in the durability of thicker edges and bases.
Preferred terrain: Some combination of trees, powder, and backcountry on most days. Zipper-lining corny bumps in the spring.
Your go-to ski for the last few seasons, and why you ski it day after day, year after year: Can I call this my “stuck with” set up? 07/08 K2 Seth 189. While all my other gear seems to fall apart, this stuff refuses to die. Took it across Europe for a winter. Stomped rocks in Jackson and Big Sky for two. At the beginning of each season, I just dribble a little p-tex, sharpen the edges, tighten a few screws, and I’m good to go. I’ve done everything with this setup, from skiing thigh deep in St. Anton, to death-cookie chutes on refrozen rain in the PNW. I even learned a somewhat stylish Rodeo 5 in the Breckenridge Park on this set up. As much as I want to say I dislike it and I need new gear, I can’t and I don’t.
Goals for the winter: Pay off my Epic Pass, become familiar with the local backcountry skiing, take an extended road trip to PNW/Canada in my 13 ft. travel trailer (shenanigans included), fly fish and ski in the same day.