[billybek]

I would disagree with the long skis for a couple of reasons.

News bulletin... I am getting older and I need all the breaks (sorry bad terminology for skiing) I can get. I went from some 205 Volkl Targa Rs to some Head shape skis that a friend had given me and was amazed at how not tired and how not hurting I was after a day on the slopes.
Bought a pair of Rossignol Zenith 5s almost 12 years ago and they have been excellent all mountain skis. Technology has changed a lot in 12 years so will most likely be looking at skis again too soon.
You can certainly tell the old school skiers riding new style skis. They look so much smoother from years of paralleling and carving with big boards. Equipment still doesn't make the skier, it is still all the hours on the boards.