At Realskiers, we believe that the measure of a great ski is how well it performs in conditions for which it wasn’t made. Much like great skiers such as John Clendenin, skis that exhibit both excellent Finesse and Power attributes are the outstanding models that rise to the top of score sheets. We call out these champion products with our Recommended medallion.
The trick to devising a good ski test is evaluating the specific behaviors that will reveal a ski’s full performance range. As a practical matter, our crew won’t be able to test a ski in all snow conditions, as all snow conditions only occasionally exist on any given ski day. However, they can task every ski to perform a litany of maneuvers that will indicate the boundaries of its capabilities.
The underlying question behind every test run is, “Who belongs on this ski?” The Great Divide between skier types, from a ski design standpoint, is how much speed, tipping and pressure is required to evoke the ski’s best behavior. We refer to skis and skiers who can handle the maximum dose of each as having Power properties; those who tend to ski at lower speeds, edge angles and applied forces we tag with the Finesse label.
Several of the chosen are erstwhile Recommended models who’ve been crowded off the podium this season in a hotly competitive field. Others are brilliant at specific behaviors but limited in their scope and may not appeal to the average skier who can’t keep a stable of skis.
Our Recommended skis are the best exemplars of what each category is designed to deliver, but just because a model didn’t earn our Recommended medallion this season doesn’t mean it’s a dog. The fact of the matter is that every brand is making great skis up and down its product line and almost all are worthy of a test run, if only there were world enough and time.
Which is why we at realskiers and the experts on our test panel have skied them all for you. The results are all on display in our members’ section today.
For many Wintersports publications, both online and print, their annual equipment buyer’s guide is their first and last word on the subject for the season. Not so at realskiers, where you can next expect to see an eye-opening series on the state of women’s equipment.
Until then, 213 ski reviews covering 13 brands should be enough to keep you busy.
Enjoy!