How we test skis
Our test process is not at all like those of other organizations:
- We accept no advertising.
We are independent and free of advertiser pressure or "advice." This project is subscriber supported, like Consumer Reports.
- We test all season, beginning in January and continuing through May at venues from Vermont to California.
- We rely on more than 100 ski shop employees from shops located around the country. These skiers as a group complete thousands of test cards on hundreds of models, indicating what they did or did not like about any given ski.
Additional testing is conducted at Alta, Deer Valley and Snowbird.
Once testing is complete, usually in mid-May, we recover and sort thousands of test cards to create the most comprehensive independent ski review database available. We review about 250 current models and maintain a growing database of more than 1800 past seasons' skis.
This database is backed up by personal technical support in which we answer questions and provide advice on equipment choices—no other organization offers individual personal consulting.
Why non-professional testers?
We don't rely on ex-racers, high end instructors and former demo team members.
Because we use skiers who ski an average number of days (30+/-), our crew provides a "snap shot" of the universe of recreational skiers (real skiers) and the reports are, in effect, peer reviews.
What about kids?
Some visitors have expressed disappointment that we provide no information on children’s equipment. We share that regret.
The truth is that we haven't figured out how to test kids' gear. Manufacturers do not produce pre-sales prototypes as they do of adult equipment; we literally have nothing to test. Moreover, even if we could find skis to test, we do not know how to collect meaningful performance data from kids.
The best bet is to locate a shop that specializes in children’s equipment. Many full service shops, in resorts and cities alike, provide programs specifically tailored to younger skiers, with options to trade equipment at reasonable rates as physical size, strength and skill increase. Forming a good relationship with such a shop is the best way we can think of to assure a good ski experience for children.
Thanks for on-hill support:
