How we test and review skis

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.

Results are collected from across the country between January and April. Our tests reflect varied terrain and snow conditions; still—we emphasize—it's impossible to replicate hundreds of combinations of tune, surface condition, available lengths and so on.

In the end, the test that really counts is your own.