How we test skis
Unique method
Our test process varies from those of other major testing organizations:
- We accept no advertising from ski companies. 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 use dozens of ski shop employees from shops located around the country. These shop employees as a group complete thousands of test cards on hundreds of ski models, indicating what they did or did not like about any given ski.
Additional testing is conducted at Alta, Deer Valley and Snowbird.
With testing complete, we recover and sort thousands of test cards to create the most comprehensive independent ski review database available. We review about 150 new models and maintain a growing database of more than 1200 past seasons' skis.
This database is backed up by available personal technical support in which we answer individual questions and provide advice on equipment choices.
Why non-professional testers?
Our test skiers include a large number of shop employees—we don't rely heavily on ex-racers, demo team members and the like.
Because we use skiers who ski an average number of days (20+/-), 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.
