It seems counter-intuitive, but the best place to test powder skis isn’t in powder. Don’t misunderstand: the most fun place to test anything, from horseshoes to harmonicas, is in powder.  But all you really learn about a ski in deep, uncut snow – that you can’t learn elsewhere – is how much float it delivers, which should be fairly evident from its dimensions.  To really meet skier expectations, a great Big Mountain ski should handle all conditions well, including chop and groomers.

The Helldorado earns its stripes with performance that doesn’t wilt when the freshies are finito.  Few other skis of its size can cut up firm snow with the facility of the Helldo, which seems to forget it’s a powder ski when confronted with any wide-open piste. Crud waves the white flag when it sees the Helldo charging in its direction, but that won’t save it from decimation by the pitiless power of this ski. Timid skiers will be out of their depth on the Helldorado, but the proficient will think it’s heaven-sent.