Have you considered re-shaping it on your own? It isn't very difficult. They sell inexpensive steam guns on amazon, although I have always used my wife's iron.

Otherwise, the google machine tells me that there is a ladies hat shop in Brandon that makes their own hats so I'd imagine they'd be able to shape your hat for you. Try giving them a call and see if they can help

(802) 318-6853

I lol'd

OP sounds vax'd. Sorry for your hasty decision.

I'm picking up what you are putting down, but I'm going to assume that most are thinking that you could be overestimating your capabilities, which is dangerous. Most people who ski at the level you are looking for instruction at are not instructors. That said, nothing magical happens when you get in the trees w/r/t skill & technique. Powder, crud, hardpack and ice all ski the same in the trees as they do out on the trails. A decent mogul line will require quicker turns than a lot of tree runs, so if you can ski bumps well, you should be fine in the woods as long you can avoid the trees.

It's tough to give a direct answer to your question, but here's the best I've got: head out to Jackson and scan the tram line for broke rippers who are fighting for scraps to be able to afford to spend the winter ski bumming and offer them $$ to let you follow them around and give you tips. Closer to home, keep an eye out for the best skiers at your home mountain. Try to catch a chair with one and chat them up. Take a couple of runs with them and get some tips.

And if you are skiing in the backcountry, definitely take the aiare avy 1 course sooner rather than later.

Hokkido's a bucket list item for me. Hope it works out for you this winter! I'm very jealous.

They're not kidding. The best way to learn to ski in the woods is to be fully competent on regular trails. If the tree run you are looking at was clear of trees, but wall to wall moguls, could you rip it confidently? Not just get down it / survive, but ski it hard & well? That'll probably be when you are ready to start getting off trail. Find places with low angle intermediate glades and practice there until you move on to harder things.

#1 piece of tree skiing advice - never look at the trees. You go where you look, so just keep looking for the spaces between the trees.