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Freeskier Ski Fest 09:

Copper Mt., CO:

Testing skis is always a little challenging, yet interesting to see what different manufacturers are able to create in a sport where many view skis as just skis. However, shapes, glues, cores, etc. all vary from company to company as skis alike have changed so drastically in the last few years it is hard to follow industry trends. As I have grown up in the industry, I have seen and experienced many changes in the designs of skis from straight 210cm long with no side cut and 35mm under foot, to skis 170cm long and 140mm under foot with double rocker tips, reverse camber construction, and cores made out of materials only created in high tech chemistry labs. Over time I have developed an affinity for trying different skis, but when the skis we are testing were specifically designed to be used on slightly better conditions then we were dealt at Copper Mountain this week, the experience becomes more of a challenge.

Testing “Big Mountain” skis specifically designed for powder on snow comparable to a world cup, H20 hyper injected slope was a little difficult. While it provided the testers as well as the magazine editors a new idea of what skis should be able to do, it was a challenge to judge skis designed for powder on their ability to make GS turns. Copper had not received snow in weeks and the high winds had scalped every last amount of soft snow off the mountain and deposited it on the planes of Kansas. The snow was comparable to ice or chalk, which to our dismay made the testing difficult and uneventful, but as a result we were able to test the skis from a different perspective. Yeah, everyone knows that skis are more fun when the snow is soft, but if we all bought skis and went skiing only when the snow was good there are many skis that work well for that purpose only. However, given that the snow is always different and the theme of winter seems to be constantly changing and unpredictable conditions, we want a ski that handles in all circumstances. This year’s test was a true investigation into the skis that are going to perform on those days you wish you had stayed home on the couch.

Furthermore, the Freeskier crew was in full affect and the crew involved with the week’s event was stellar. Aside from shot gunning Red Bull and partaking in the consumption of many fermented beverages, the week was rather tame. Unfortunately I was not able to partake in many of the evening’s adventures, as I was staying 35 miles west in Avon, CO, so maybe my perspective of the week was rather skewed. All in all it was a great experience and there are a lot of great skis coming out on the market next season. Just remember as you read the reviews in the magazines next fall, the skis were not exactly put to a fair test, but if a ski can handle on the hard pack it will get you down the powder gracefully.