Ski Equipment Testing by Chris Haworth

So it could be a freezing, snowy December morning on the "Tube" at Tignes or a beautiful azure day framed by the Matterhorn with one or several hundred gleaming pairs of skis lined up and an eager tester, me, Chris Haworth. A Lancashire lad who never dreamt he may one day be swooping down a well prepared piste, moguls, powder, crud, steeps, a snow park or the odd little cliff just to add a little spice, all within a few minutes of each other, and on next seasons gear!



It is only when I look at the test sheet and realise there are about 250 skis to review that I start getting worried, two runs on each ski, 20 minutes for each run, man this going to take a little time. Some very specific skis will be tested only on runs that suit their design, the majority however are taken for one groomed run and then a run of slower skiddier turns mixed up with bumps, a little crud and whatever else lurks around the side of the piste, this seems the fairest way of achieving an effective feel for how the ski will perform for you. Experience from ten years of testing, as a buyer for a ski shop, plus five years for magazines and websites helps me get to grips and refer products from one season to another and from category to category. Coaching and teaching skiing help in the understanding of what different skiers demand from their skis in different situations, the improvements, the wow factor each time a ski makes you change as a skier, more angles, more power, yeah that crud was sooo easy, what was the manufacturer thinking, these skis are dogs, that 35 hour Euro-week must really be getting a grip on R&D!

Testing starts early with the first lifts, I'll grab some skis and want to give them a thrashing, but let's be fair, how do they perform for you the skiing public, are they manageable at low speeds, or are they tyrants that need a sealed-off run, certification and a crash helmet? Initially I try to skid them around, feeling and imagining different skiers trying to use a particular model and for whom they may suit. As speed builds, the angles build and we, the skis and a smiling (hopefully) tester, start pushing, no matter what ski or at what level I try to find their limits (and mine), whilst keeping in mind exactly who a particular model may best suit whilst keeping in mind the manufacturers objectives for "what sort of skier will use this ski?"

At the end of the testing and when all the results are in, there are some skis that are like a fine Bordeaux leaving a lasting impression, and others that are merely Ford Model T's, rolled out, badged and bored, check out the reviews, I hope you have a great holiday and the skis are a dream!