Betting
big bucks
Many
skiers apparently trust ski test results enough to buy skis
based on no more input than that some publication recommended
them. This can be unfortunate. Magazine tests typically are performed
by elite skiers—former World Cup racers, Demo Team
members and such—whose opinions may not be relevant
to the averages skier’s experience. Even our process,
which relies on data from dozens of non-professionals, can
provide but general impressions based on aggregate input
from many skiers. How any given ski matches any given individual
is what counts and no test can substitute for personal experience,
especially since the ticket for new skis can exceed $1000
and the purchase will affect the fun-value of every lift
pass.
Back
when quality and performance wandered all over the lot,
say pre-1995, using test results as surrogates for personal
experience was better than nothing; at least tests weeded
out bad product. This is not the same as recommending skis
that benefit specific kinds of skiers, but was helpful in
avoiding really expensive mistakes. And, in those days,
it was possible to find exceptional skis that noticeably
outperformed the competition.
None
of this remains valid. Virtually all skis are top quality
by the standards of just a few of seasons ago. It’s
all but impossible to find poorly performing designs. And
current skis are versatile enough that almost anything will
work serviceably for almost any kind of skier, extremes
like hyper-carvers and 100mm rocker skis aside. What’s
at issue is not avoiding huge mistakes; it is finding skis
that compliment personal style to a degree many skiers don’t
even imagine. The chore is not so much deciding between
this or that brand’s version of a design; the trick
is to decide on the right basic design to begin with.
That
may sound simple enough, but on the hill we see
large numbers of skiers on, for example, wide free ride twin tips,
who would be happier on more versatile all mountain carver models, never
mind which brand. Getting the right basic shape may be the
thing skiers are doing least well.
Shape
around
We hear from skiers who agree that personal
testing is the best way to find a ski, but who point out
that it’s not easy to put together a test. Few shops,
they say, carry all brands, most shops charge demo fees
and city shops, especially, are loath to let skiers take
several pair for a weekend of testing. Others complain that
skiing time is so precious that they’d rather ski than
test.
Valid
points, but none need prevent at least limited pre-purchase
personal trial, in most cases.
At
minimum, it’s always possible to demo a "wish
list" ski, if for no other reason than to make certain
there'll be no surprises after you’ve plunked down
cash. Even better would be to try the ski in two sizes.
There can be more performance difference between two sizes
of the same ski than between two brands’ same-size
version of similar design.
Pre-skiing
a sought-after favorite is better than nothing, but many
skiers could profit mightily from test driving different
shapes before picking one to live with. Skiers using tactical
skis primarily on the groomed might discover that technical skis
are more fun and promote faster progress. Those astride wide free rides who still want to ski the groomed from time to time (or who must, coming and going to the backside) might be surprised how effective all mountain carvers—74 to 79mm waists, mid-teens turn radii—are in the outback, especially if trees are relatively close. Etc. . .
The point is that many skiers could be on better shape shapes for their favored terrain and skiing style. Given
that performance variation between brands within particular
genres is fairly subtle, trying any other shape, regardless
of brand, can be worthwhile.
The
best approach is to arrange a multi-pair demo with a resort
specialty shop. Some advance phone work can arrange a demo
involving several skis. Of course, the shop must be located
near a lift and must have a comprehensive inventory of demos,
but there are few destination resorts or even local areas in the U.S. that
lack at least one shop. Most charge demo fees on the
order of $30 to $50 per ski per day, but usually fees can
be applied to the final purchase. Be sure to ask.
If
nothing else, try to attend a shop or manufacturer “demo
day.” Most resorts and many areas host at least one such
event per season; check with the area and with local area
shops.
Test card can help
Here is a useful test card for personal testing and some thoughts on how to do an effective demo.
Test Suggestions
Regardless
of where and how you test, simple procedures can help focus
what you’re testing. Free form skiing is one way to
get the general flavor of a ski and should suffice to rule
a particular model in or out, but for fine comparison between
similar models, it’s best to follow a plan. Key points:
- Be
sure your boots are perfect. There's no way to detect variations
in ski performance through the filter of ill-fit or misaligned
boots.
- Pick
gentle, uniform terrain for round 1 testing. Test skis,
not skills.
- Take
one short run per ski. Avoid adapting to the
ski; you want a ski that compliments your style and level.
Probe performance traits on flat terrain; tactical testing
in bumps, steeps, deeps comes later.
- Compare
apples to apples; make each run as much like the others
as possible, turning in roughly the same places, maintaining similar
speed on the same stretch of trail and so on.
- Test
one characteristic at a time. Our test
card divides performance into specific traits:
quickness, stability, carving ability and so on. During professional
testing we ski about one hundred yards with one trait
in mind, stop, take notes and then ski another hundred
yards concentrating on another characteristic.
- Wait
until you decide on a particular ski before taking it
on an extended mountain tour, which should always be the
final test.
The
goal of your test is to achieve the same understanding that
professional test skiers seek, except that you are interested
in one pair, not two hundred, and your personal test is
far more important to you and to your skiing fun and progress than anything
we’ll ever put in a report.