As we’ve pointed out in each of the last two seasons, the Affinity Pure is one of the best buys in all of skiing. Like a lot of superlight skis, the Pure can’t cope with blistering speeds and heavy snow can slap it around, but if these boundaries are observed, little else will put the Pure off its paces.

As its 14m-turn radius prescribes – and it’s super scores for short and slow turns confirm – the Pure prefers to cool its jets and take its time gently embracing and releasing a sequence of tight turns.  As long as it isn’t pressed into service as a dive-bomber or a trailblazer, the Pure is pure delight.

Not to be discounted is the degree to which all this appropriate behavior is discounted vis-à-vis the competition, as the Pure price (a penny below $500 in most American markets) includes a quality binding. Skiers who always keep it under control won’t miss what the Pure doesn’t proffer, but will get their thrills making short turns simple.