All of the above. Your skiing skill has nothing to do with it. If you are skiing all day, how likely is it that you will be comfortable all day long? Weather changes. So does your activity level.
I would agree that in any kind of membrane shell they are a must have feature, especially as they are so common these day that you should be able to find one that meets your other needs, including price, so why not?
I am on the fence about the mesh linings.
As mentioned above, they significantly reduce venting. On the other hand, if it's snowing, you will want you shell on to stay dry, and you'll want the front zipped up too. Yet, if it's fairly warm weather, and you are skiing hard (powder moguls?) you might start to overheat/get damp. At the same time, the chance of falling(poor visibility, irregular surface, hidden bumps under fresh snow) is higher, and falling in soft snow with open zips is not a good thing, as described above.
I would agree that in any kind of membrane shell they are a must have feature, especially as they are so common these day that you should be able to find one that meets your other needs, including price, so why not?
I am on the fence about the mesh linings.
As mentioned above, they significantly reduce venting. On the other hand, if it's snowing, you will want you shell on to stay dry, and you'll want the front zipped up too. Yet, if it's fairly warm weather, and you are skiing hard (powder moguls?) you might start to overheat/get damp. At the same time, the chance of falling(poor visibility, irregular surface, hidden bumps under fresh snow) is higher, and falling in soft snow with open zips is not a good thing, as described above.