If you consider yourself a fan of the Volkl RTM series, keep the following adage in mind when reading this review, "Change is good." We find this necessary to mention as Volkl has decided to shake things up in their frontside all mountain category for 2020, with the introduction of their new Deacon line, which replaces their Ride the Mountain series. Before we dive too deeply into the details, it's worth noting that we're huge fans of this decision as the Deacon series brings a number of Volkl's most recent design developments to a frontside ski for the first time. Ready to learn more? Click through to read our full review of the 2020 Volkl Deacon 84!

This week in ski news, we kick things off with a very exciting announcement: the SkiEssentials.com 2020 Ski Test is now live! Featuring 220 ski from 18 brands, reviewed by 60 testers over the course of 3 days, the third edition of our annual ski test is our most comprehensive yet, and we're more thrilled than ever to share it with you. We'll recap that, plus share with you newly announced plans for a massive ski area that could be coming to the Salt Lake region, before sharing exciting announcements from ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel as well as Mikaela Shiffrin. Click through to learn all you need to know from this week in ski news, in this week's Top Five Friday!

In lieu of monumental ski news this week, we find ourselves bringing you a triptych of stories from the ski world that offer interesting glimpses into the realities of ski racing, as well as climate change. On the racing side of things, we learn more what about what life is like after ski racing for the average professional, as well as what life is like after ski racing for one of the greatest of all time: Lindsey Vonn. Plus, we'll share a grim, yet fascinating story from the Italian Alps regarding climate change, as well as actual news from Arapahoe Basin. Click through to find out all you need to know in this week's Top 5 Friday!

This week in ski news, we start by getting the latest updates from Saddleback Maine, where a Boston-based investment firm remains interested in purchasing the shuttered ski area, regardless of government assistance. Plus, we'll also bring you the latest update from Big SNOW America, North America's first indoor skiing facility, which has just announced it's official opening date. Plus, we've got positive news from the Colorado Department of Transportation, as well as an inspiring story from World Cup Ski Racer Alice McKennis. Find out all you need to know in this week's Top Five Friday!