Just completed my dirtbag alpine touring set-up at the Pico ski swap with a pair of cheap 2014 Dynastar Cham 97s that have never been mounted. Now I have skis, frame bindings, climbing skins, and touring boots all for less than $600. The whole set-up weighs about 50 pounds and the boots are too soft, but heck, if there's a powder day I can ski from my front door.
i had to close all the windows at the house last night, than had the heat on in the car this morning. smelling the heater turn on for the first time in months felt great!
Not sure how you boo snow in a forecast on a ski message board. I think Salty suffered temporary amnesia and forgot that the S and R in PASR stands for "Ski and Ride" and not something else like "Starwars Rules" or "Saltys Revenge"