Phil.....my old boots were Salomon Evolution's....in a nice purple color.?
? I upgraded to Impact 8's a few weeks ago. They're a nice smoked color...but sticking to my guns, they have a twinge of purple to them in direct sunlight. I swear, I didn't notice this until we got home. Oh, and my old poles had a bit of purple in them too. The new ones are silver and black though. In the past month, I've really de-purple-ised.
I think Okemo is really doable this winter. My wife and I really want to try it out this season. We know a lot of people who go there and love it.
I'm up in the air on the twins (pun semi intended I suppose). There's a shop a bit north of here selling last year's Public Enemy's for $275...I assume that's flat. However, if I go to e-bay, I snag a flat set of Dynastars for $150 or so shipped...then with bindings...that may put me at about the $300 mark.
Ahh Evolution 8 (or 8.1 or 2) I remember when they came out. I had fuzzy white bunny slippers that had more support then them. But I am sure they were good for you

. You didn't need foot beds for them, you needed a subdivision. Don't stop me..I'm on a roll....