That's right. I just don't have it anymore. No edge.

And I need help.

But you all knew that already.

Then what the heck am I talking about?

My skis. My beautiful, beat-up Salomon X-Screams.

After five fun winters of heavy duty ski abuse, er, I mean use, it looks like they may be close to retirement.

Took 'em to the boys at Arlberg yesterday and...

A hush filled the store as the clerk looked them over. Then he began to shake his head.

You'll remember I'd just left them on the roof rack for more than a week.

I knew the rust was going to be a problem, but I didn't anticipate anything more.

Then...

"You see this?" the guy says.

Uh, no. What?

Crap. I'd blown out an edge in the center of the ski. My turning edge. Bad spot.

More heads shaking (a crowd had gathered by now examining my poorly maintained skis).

I apologized for my blatant abuse. First for the rust, then the edge.

How could I do this to a pair of skis? What kind of a cretin am I? I deserve to be tied to a lift tower naked in January and have skiers jeer at me as they ride overhead.

But no such punishment was meted out to me.

Instead the Arlbergers treated me with great kindness, promising to grind the edges and repair the blown edge.

But I'd be on borrowed time, they assured me.

Ching, chings echoed in my head. It would be new skis for me, sooner than I'd hoped.

So, that's where you all come in.

I don't buy downhill skis very often (clearly!) and I could use your advice.

I'm looking for an all-mountain ski, stiff, good for carving quick turns on the steeps. Something for an advanced skier who likes to go just about everywhere (but I still suck on the bumps).

Got any ideas? What's your favorite ski and why? What do recommend for me and my next pair of downhill boards?