With the v0.32.0 update, it looks like mount Firestorm is to be a post-Winterfall area. The increased number of bosses also means more breathing room to new game+ air bubble I on pure nightmare runs. Between Winterfall gold and the golem quest, the gold issue is greatly ameliorated.
Coming back to the points, they're reaching a level where picking expensive skills just to save on gold later in the run is starting to become appealing. It could be good for build variety if the non-skill clear room gems had a +4 state and/or if there were gems for stuff like ally stats and starting blessed waters.