Thank you all for the helpful posts (and PMs Catriona!). I am new to the shell/layer concept but I am going to give it a whirl, cuz I really need the versatility given that I don't even know yet if I will end up cross country or downhill, I did invest in a shell jacket last winter, and I do already own a lot of base and mid-layers.

So, scorpion pants are on the way....... (50% off right now at backcountry.com if anyone is interested, I've been watching this stuff for a while and its a good deal to find in non-extreme sizes).