R. Mark Elling is certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America as a Level III Alpine Instructor and Level II Backcountry Guide. He has worked full-time in the ski industry since 1989, including six seasons as a guide at Mount Bailey Snowcat Skiing and assistant director of the ski school at Montana Snowbowl. Since 1996, he has been a product test for "Ski" and "Skiing" magazines, and he helps teach professional bootfitting seminars for Masterfit University. He has written articles for "Skiing, The Professional Skier, " and many other travel and sports publications.