When the group heads for the blue runs on a friends' weekend, the Shape V2 R Ski + Joy 9 SLR Binding + Speed 80 HV+ Boot, an intermediate ski package, keeps a skier who is moving up right in the mix. The Rossignol boot's approachable 80 flex carries shin movement to the ski with a firm, steady response, and the Head ski's lifted tip and short turn radius keep each turn forgiving while technique is still being polished. A wide shape leaves toes uncrowded, and the liner can be molded to the foot so comfort lasts lap after lap. Together, the parts leave room to improve, so the same setup keeps working as turns get faster and steeper terrain starts to look inviting. What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"My feet run wide, and I figured a roomy boot would cost me control on the steeper blues, but the ski still followed every shift of my shins. By the end of the weekend, I was dropping into runs I would have skipped before, because I trusted the setup to keep up."