Jim,
If your friend is Certified, he's a hell of a skier and a patroller..the Cert program is the Mac Daddy of all ski standards (and patrol/ first standards as well). Our Director and one other 'super' patroller are the only full certs on our hill.
No, I think it's fair to try to put a 'face' on an on line ski reviewer and I took no offense. I run more toboggans than most folks on my hill ( I pro as well as volunteer and get 4 days in a week) so running sleds is in the back of my mind. However, we ski a ton (more than most patrols) and I buy skis that work well on my local bump, in northern VT and NH and I can take out west.
So who am I as a skier: I'm a decent skier...not great, but I don't suck either.
I learned to ski at Age 30 (I'm now 42). And I ski way better than most people who learned to ski as an adult (and I mean I was NEVER on skis before the age of 30). I spent a lot of time working on technique, taking lessons, reading books, buying gear, and I remember what it is like and what one needs at each stage of learning and skiing. I ski all season in all terrain and in all conditions (from pouring rain, to real-bullet proof bumps, to occasional powder..and yes, I've run sleds in all conditions as well) . So, for the OP's question, I think I have a pretty keen understanding of what he's looking for and what he struggles with even if he doesn't.
Also I work PT in a ski shop and have a good sense of selling skis to the general public.
None of this makes my ski advice, expert advice...but I think it makes my advice on ski 'worth considering' for growing intermediates.
I don't know enough nor do I have the chops to recommend a ski to a skier like Bushwacka, and I defer to the PMTS specialists who have very specific ski needs that I admit I don't completely share, but I understand.
However, I'm pretty comfortable serving up advice in my wheel house.
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