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For some reason I feel like writing a big long thing and trying to be helpful, so here it goes, who knows, this might be total bunk, but whatever. Also some of this may sound a little harsh but I'm not attacking you personally, I'm just trying to paint an accurate picture, as far as I see it.
First. Stop paying for classes, for now at least. You've already taken a few or gone to camps or whatever, that's cool and hopefully you learned a lot but honestly, from looking at your photos, you're at a point where you just need to go out and shoot, a LOT. You seem to understand the basics of exposure, focus, all that good stuff but your portfolio is really lacking in quality and diversity. That's not a dig at you at all, you've just got to look realistically at where you are and figure out what you need to do to reach your goals. You need to take a bunch more photos and develop a style.
As others have said, your shots are a little bland, there's not much in the way of context and they're just not that unique//dynamic. part of that may be because you are shooting fish but you don't know how to do it right yet. You need to be lower and closer if you want to make those shots work, or you need to be further away, you're at this awkward point where there is no context in the photo but it's not close enough to actually be visually gripping. Does that make sense at all? let me know if it doesn't and I'll be happy to clarify.
Gear wise, you have more than enough. That's a great kit. So at this point spend your money on travel and things to take photos of, not more expensive crap to haul around. IMO for 90% of photographers (myself included) the money you want to spend upgrading would be better spent on plane tickets.
You have extensive knowledge, cool, nobody cares. We all have extensive knowledge and any kid with his mommy's credit card can get himself "professional gear" What you really need is boundless creativity in the face of adversity, a good attitude, and a work ethic like no other. This is not an easy gig. You will not get payed to sit around in the sun taking pictures of fancy pro skiers with Pro-Hoes all over you. You will spend a lot of time not taking pictures, taking pictures you really don't care about, and traveling to take pictures. Being a good photographer is not about the knowledge and the gear, sure you need that, to some extent, but you need passion way more. You have to NEED to take photos. So is your goal to tell stories through photographs or is it to get in on some fancy private park shoot?
Ok, enough of me trash talking you, sorry about that, but hopefully you can gain something from that.
Now, what you should do.
From the looks of it those kids you shot with last year ski reasonably well, at this point they ski better than you shoot, you're trying to do justice to them through photos, not make them look way radder than they really are. That's good. Find some people who are down to shoot, are down to work for the shot and work with them a lot. That's the best environment to practice your skills, it's lower key than immediately trying to hook up with pros and it will make you prepared to get the shot when you do get the chance to ski with someone else.
Shoot a bunch this winter, get better shots, and upload them to NS. If they are good they will get recognition and will get you exposure, huge exposure. Get a few POD's get some momentum, more people are watching than you realize and NS is in my opinion the best platform available to get exposure. If those shots are good opportunities will start to open up. That's how I got to where I am and that's the easiest way I've seen, other than having a dad who owns a mag or something. Just look at Lynx Nation and Altitude Foto, that dude (and girl) absolutely killed it on the NS POD game last year and I'm convinced they are going big places!
Be outgoing, if you see a really rad skier at your hill ask if they want to shoot, if you get a banger send if over to your Hill's marketing department. Network, meet people, that personal touch is what will get you into events and shoots. (I personally really suck at this part) TAKE MORE PHOTOS, take photos with every style, in different locations, with different people, figure out what works and what doesn't.
Do it because you love it and see what follows. Don't do it because it looks cool. Good work will get recognition, especially on NS.
Or just bribe one of the mod's with gummy worms to make you an orange name like I did...
Sorry, that got long and rambly, hit me up if you have any more questions, I'm always glad to talk about this stuff, especially since, the fact that because of NS and a few other things I went from taking my first ski photos two winters ago to making 100% of my living shooting and writing about outdoor sports. Also, I'm just over in Driggs now, so if you ever get over to the 'Ghee just hit me up and I'd love to spin some laps and talk photography or whatever (that goes for anyone else reading this too) This is really cool stuff and I'm glad you're getting into it
