FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SKI TEST

Although we try to cover all bases, there are still some areas where inquiring minds want to know more.

Why don’t you use “normal” people to do the testing?
Our testers are normal people—with a few important differences. They come from many backgrounds but all have one common trait: they are avid, accomplished skiers with years of experience in the ski industry. They have the experience and background to detect subtle differences in ski behaviour that only comes from years of skiing full-time. And then they are able to express these subtleties in specifi c terms so readers can draw a meaningful picture of how that ski performed. They ski on average 100 days a year and each tester can keep up with the fast-moving group.

Describe the test process.
The group is first up the mountain to review the test slope and get a briefing from the technical editor on the test criteria for the day. Each ski category has a battery of specifi c tests on speed and turn shape, and every skier is required to conduct the same test. By the time the team arrives back at the pit, the suppliers and test skis are at their stations and the fun begins. Joe Grierson, the whip-cracking pit boss, ensures that things run smoothly—no easy task with 30 people rotating through the pit every few minutes. The testers take one run on each ski, assessing the same criteria in the same way every time. When they fi nish, they can take a break—and they need it. Testers will ski more than 40,000 vertical metres during the week.

I notice that some brands were not tested. Where’s Elan? Nordica? Dynastar?
All suppliers are invited and encouraged to participate in our test each year—some decline to be tested by Ski Canada. And we simply can’t test a brand without a ski supplier’ supplier s participation because we are testing next year’s equipment and only the suppliers have access to their new gear. The reasons given for not participating vary from costs to marketing policy to disputes over our strict methodology and frank results. (Of course, we think we have a solid team at Ski Canada so if your favourite ski is missing, it wouldn’t hurt to tell the company you’re disappointed that it’s not in the Ski Canada Test.)

Why do you mask the skis?
A heavy blue opaque tape is put on all skis so the brand isn’t obvious. The tape serves two purposes: • Graphics are designed to impress and we don’t want testers receiving first impressions that may distract them. • Impartiality is at the core of our credibility so it’s important that we do everything possible to make the process unbiased.

What’s with the tester “abilities”?
We use words like athletic, technical, finesse, power, etc. to describe each tester’s style. The words are self-explanatory, but it serves as a reminder that all testers are not the same. It may also give one more clue as to how much that tester’s comments relate to you.

Some testers are sponsored by a certain brand. Doesn’t that affect test results?
No, we discard the feedback of testers when they are skiing on their personal ski brand, sponsored or otherwise. But just for fun we have compared final results with all the marks included and found that results rarely change. And just so you know, we also discard the high and low marks to eliminate other personal bias that may creep in.

There are other ski tests. What makes the Ski Canada Test special?
Our team is conducting a tightly controlled comparison test. Unlike other tests: •During the event, all testers take one run on every ski. •Skis are masked and the speed and turn shape for the test run itself are strictly monitored for consistency. •Fourteen fields of numeric data are collected from each run as well as the testers’ written comments. •Ski Canada prints all results but since we feel our test is unbiased and fair, the readers deserve to see everything, warts and all.

Now I’m really confused. I just saw another ski test that gave a different rating to the same ski you tested.
What was their testing methodology? How many skiers actually tested it? What were the criteria? Was the test administered in an unbiased, uniform way? What were the snow conditions on test day? And let’s face it, testers are people not machines. In the end, all we can say is that we conduct the most professional test possible and we stand by the results.

How accurate are the results? I see a particular brand has rave reviews. Should I go out and buy a pair?
Well, it depends. A rave review does not necessarily mean that ski is for you. Is that ski designed for the kind of skiing you like to do? If not, it could be the wrong choice. Decide on your category and realistically assess your needs fi rst. Finally, if at all possible, don’t buy skis until you’ve tried them yourself. The Ski Canada Test is just one of the tools you have to help make a good choice. Some shops rent skis they sell, and in other cases suppliers have demo days to allow you that all-important “feel good” test. If they don’t feel good, don’t buy them. You may discover that a ski that got tepid reviews by many testers is just the ride you were looking for.

I’m not a good skier like your test team members. How can the test results help me?
We test skis that are designed for skiers of all levels, including yours. Experienced skiers with expert feet took them on appropriate terrain at the appropriate speed to assess how good they will be at helping aspiring skiers. Tester feedback gives helpful hints on stability, ease of steering, preferred snow conditions and recommended skier weight.

How much are the testers paid?
You could say a good tester is worth a lot, but believe it or not they are all volunteers in nice Phenix jackets.