First, we accept no ski company advertising; realskiers is supported entirely by members, like Consumer Reports®.
Test skiers include a large number of shop employeeswe don't rely exclusively on ex-racers, elite instructors and the like (most of whom endorse some brand).
Because we use skiers who ski an average number of days (20+/-), our crew provides a "snap shot" of the universe of recreational skiers and the reports are, in effect, peer reviews. We ask these skiers what they like.
We do use some elite skiers, but we don't ask these skiers what they like; we ask how the ski performs in key performance characteristics.