For the kind of money most skis bums would pay to rent a room for four winters, small batch US ski maker Carradan is selling its skis. The Mamba, a twin-tip expert ski, retails for US $19,000.

According the company’s website, www.carradanskis.com, here’s why: “Each Carradan ski offers a unique “one-ski” solution, designed to provide the ultimate performance and comfort no matter where your day of skiing takes you. Floating through powder? Cruising on a groomer? Carving on double blacks? Whatever the conditions, wherever you go, Carradan skis function as an extension of your own being…In addition, each Carradan ski is designed to minimize the total impact on a skier’s body. In real terms, this means that the ski absorbs much of the stress from your lower body, resulting in a skier’s ability to ski harder and longer without stopping to rest those burning leg muscles.”

The top of the line Mamba has a mid-fat waist width of 86 millimeters and a 119 to 117 width in the tip and the tail. The core is a micro-fiber laminate composed chiefly of Ash, Bamboo and Okume.

And, if you act now, your new Carradans can be delivered to you by Olympic skier Martin Bell – the most successful British skier of all time. After flying in to hand deliver your new boards, he’ll spend one day on the slopes with you, providing a private introduction to your skis for $3,000 plus travel expenses.