GORD'S SKI TESTS To start, let us clarify that our ski tests are not journalistically perfect, they are indeed slightly biased towards brands that we sell. That, dear reader, is the most honesty you'll find coming out of anyone's ski test.
Some ski magazines charge a fortune for companies to be tested in their ski tests... Those who don't charge knowingly or unknowingly bias their reviews through advertising and the use of sponsored testers... Blah blah blah, whine, whine, whine... Conspiracy theorists would have a field day at magazine ski tests. Not that the editorial side of these operations mean any harm but there's always someone trying to make a buck... the latest money grab seems to be Canadian ski mags now publishing "advertorials" for big-box retailers heavily camouflaged as impartial ski tests. (scroll down for JF's latest diatribe on that subject).
Consumers beware, if a featured ski does not exist on a manufacturer's website it's an SMU... and a Special Make Up ski is nothing but a way for big box stores to dupe you into believing their extravagant "regular price" claims. Simple: You always get exactly what you pay for.
The reason we test skis is simple: How else can we tell you how these skis actually ski? and since we trust no-one's opinion but our own, and since we can't very well trust ski magazine tests ... we're left to conducting our own tests. Biased in favor of just one group: Our customers.
We travel east and west, we take buddies, friends, customers and we try as many skis as we can in as inhospitable terrain as possible. If a ski skis well, we consider it. Simple.
Our first Gord's Ski Test was in 2001 when JF and a dude named Frank Roberts hit Tremblant for what grew into a great big tradition of Gord's Ski Tests. The confusing thing about it is that we test in February of 2005 the skis for 05/06... so does that make it the 05 ski test... or the 06 ski test... Our notes are quite blurred on that one...
Before we get to the 2007/08 Ski Test (check back soon, the 2007/2008 Ski Test results should be up very soon) here's a little blast from the past scroll down for past ski test teams and where our travels took us during that ski test:
TESTERS What can we say, it's not just about testing skis, it's about the good times, the food, the company, the experience, the laughter, the discovery of new places to ski, and sometimes it's the shared hate for the group leader... Whatever it is, testing skis is the reason why we all get together, the team is why we come back for more frigid temperatures, boiler-plate conditions and testing, testing, testing. Below you'll read about current and past testers, all of whom we owe a great-big THANK YOU for making all of this worth it. For helping us select the very best gear, for keeping us honest. For all the good times! We love you all! (except for kenny, of course. Like the song says: We hate him the most).
For more on test team-members, past and present, Just click Here to be directed to the Testers page where a short bio of
each tester awaits.
2001 Owl's Head, Jay Peak
& Tremblant From left: Cheryl, Barky, Bob G, Frank Roberts, Nic D, Martin W, Gary Sewell, JF Ravenelle, Bob K & Nick Hirst.
2002 Owl's Head, Sutton,
Jay Peak & Tremblant From left: Cathy K, Shawn L, Nick Hirst, Guandolfo, Mark T, Jeff Kachur, JF Ravenelle, Donna, Gary Sewell, Lloyd Yarn
2003 Sutton, Orford, Jay Peak,
Bromont & Tremblant From left: Mark, Reggi, Jeff, Leanne, Bob G, Joerg, JF, Vladimir, Terry, Melanie, Dean, Lloyd, Shawn, Kathy, Guandolfo and Wes.
2004 LeMassif, St-Anne,
Stoneham & Tremblant From left: Lloyd Yarn, Shawn L, Tusi, Bob G, JF Ravenelle, Carmen, Matt G, Archie P, Nick Hirst, Ev, Tom D, Leanne and Vladimir
2005 Tremblant, Owl's Head,
Bromont & Orford From left: Leanne, Martin W, Vladimir, Michelle A, Mike K, Shawn L, JF Ravenelle, Lloyd Yarn, Ev and Missing in action: MC Ravenelle
2006 Wildcat, Sunday River, Bretton Woods,
Owl's Head, Chanteclerc & Tremblant From left: JF Ravenelle, Lloyd Yarn, Michelle A, Martin W, Leanne B, Kenny, Cat H, Vladimir, Janet J, Bob G & Shawn L.
2007 Stowe, Killington, Bolton Valley,
Jay Peak & Tremblant. From left: JF Ravenelle, Lloyd Yarn, Janet J, Bob G, Martin W, Cody McPhail, Cat H, Kenny and missing in action: Vladimir.
2008 The year of the one-mountain Ski Test:
Big White From left: JF Ravenelle, Rob D, Langstaff, Vladimir, Dave McDub, Scott M, Jerry Todd, Brian L and Ryan VanD. Missing in action: JD
Check back soon for the 2007/2008 Ski test and it's results. Until then check out the 2006/2007 ski test and results HERE.
SKI CANADAAAARGH! We used to be big fans of Ski Canada, good people doing a great job under difficult conditions, flying the flag, fighting the good fight, promoting a sport that is in desperate need of promoting...
Until 2006. That's the year we recently had the "pleasure" of finding out that Ski Canada sold it's soul to a large corporate competitor and now included Special Make-Up (SMU) skis in a separate "advertorial" ski test.
What Ski Canada readers found was a thinly disguised infomercial (for skis that are unavailable anywhere else than at Sprot-Check. Skis that are in most instances no more than dressed-up low end skis with high-end looking graphics... A "test" that was wholy paid-for by Sprot-Check. Not surprising that in the 2006 "test" they went to the point of having Sprot-Check employees test Sprot-Check skis. Simply amazing.
The equivalent of having Fischer guys test Fischer skis... All the while allowing its readers to believe that these "inserts" were actual bonified Ski Canada tests and not simple advertising. same graphics, same look as their 'impartial' ski tests... But like I said: Nothing more than an advertorial. What a smart, cunning idea by the big-box giant... Not so much a great idea if you're Joe consumer looking for unbiased facts and honest help in selecting the right ski.
By doing so, Ski Canada is doing nothing short of allowing a corporate behemoth to do what "Big Box"sports stores have been struggling to do for decades: To give credibility to product that deserves no credibility, to offer illegitimate skis built and chosen for one reason only: to maximize corporate profit. Journalistic integrity
be damned, money talks.
Shame on you Ski Canada for selling out to the big boxes.
Needless to say we've now joined the multitude of shops who now refuse to offer Ski Canada. Who would imagine that we're left with US mags as the sole remaining beacons of journalistic integrity? Bummer.
SKI TEST VIDEOS It's as close as you can get without actualy joining us on one of our tests. Simply click on the player above to check out all our latest ski test videos starting with our very latest excursion to the 2008 Gord's Ski Test in Big White.
SELECTING THE RIGHT SKI
We pride ourselves on trying EVERY ski we sell BEFORE we decide to offer them to our customers... So we're uniquely qualified to match skier to ski... Provided, of course, said skier is able to adequately describe to us his or her skiing style and terrain preference.
The reason internet ski sales are measured in thousands of units rather than in millions of units is simply because ski selection is still (thankfully) the exclusive domain of the human experience. the $200 ski and the $900 ski share most of the same components so it's all about HOW the ski is made. Artisans still rule. Art is still a big part of ski construction... It's still about how the ski "feels". You just can't describe that unless you've slapped them on. That's what we do. We try them out, and help you understand the nuances. Help you get the right one for you.
Published ski tests are one tidbit of information that might help... provided you trust these tests not to be tainted by sponsorships, advertising dollars and personal brand preference. Ski-test-review sites are also another source of debatable information. Don't ask us to comment on these faceless, unaccountable, dubious reviews. We can only tell you about OUR experience. We trust no-one but ourselves and that's the main reason (as I've pointed out earlier) we go to considerable lengths and expense to test every single ski we think might be suitable for our customers... [read about our ski test here] We then select the pick of the litter, slap them on our wall and proudly stand behind each and every pair with our "love them or we'll swap them" guarantee when you go with our recommendation (ask one of our ski sales-people what that entails).
Unfortunately that's why we will never guarantee that ski 'X' will perform as advertised on their own website... Most ski manufacturers often mis-categorize their own product, it's a simple result of trying to hit every category... and why even their own 'product selectors' often miss the mark. Sometimes a ski that is supposed to be good at something ends up being AMAZING at something completely different... And there's nothing wrong with that. That's the beauty of our process, finding the jewels that will make your on-snow experience a phenomenal one rather than an adequate one.
That's where we come in.
The only catch is that, unfortunately, we can't help you with selecting the right ski over the phone or by email... It's a process we'll only embark upon in person. And while we stand by our lowest price policy, there is a price to pay for all this knowledge, and that price is that you call (or drop by) one of our two locations, make an appointment with one of our specialists and make the trip to Gord's. Not an unreasonable investment we think, considering the potential upsides associated with finally owning the right gear.
THE TEST CARDS
It's all about winners and losers, right? We came up with certain important characteristics we believed were important to how a ski skied... and we made these cool little test-cards (You can see Janet and shawn scribble away on the pic above there). We added stuff like "graphics" that we thought were important. As well as added stuff like ... Click here for a rough snapshot
of our score sheets
BLUE CHIP BRANDS Over the years we've come to the clear-cut conclusion that there are only a few brands of skis that simply don't do mediocre product, brands that no matter the year, the trend, the current fad, these guys are going to produce a great ski. We call these companies "blue chip"brands. They are not the biggest, but over the past 5 years they have impressed us the most. They all feel like they are run by skiers for skiers. Who are these excellent companies, you ask? Head, Fischer and Dynastar... That's who. It's simple, as long as you stay away from their first-price-point offerings (especially Head) you can't really go wrong. There's a reason we sell these brands: How well they test, year in - year out is why.
TUNING No matter how amazing a ski is designed, marketed and sold, if it is tuned like poo, it's going to ski like poo. There's no other way of putting it. The brand that has most struggled with tuning over the past 7 years has definitely been Salomon. Some years they do it right... But historically they have the crappiest tunes at the test, bar none. Who has the best tunes? Head. Followed by Dynastar, Fischer and Rossignol. If you tune a crappy ski right, it's has a fighting chance of skiing better than it should.
CONDITIONS We test on the worst conditions you could possibly imagine... Like that year when it was -45 and the snow was not unlike hardened, icy styrofoam... And then there are the snowguns... everywhere at Tremblant... laying down crap snow for all to bog down in. If we tell you a ski was amazing, and we tested it at the giant upside-down ice-cube tray that is Tremblant... It will shred Fernie to an ounce of its life. Tremblant is the acid test of places to ski. If it skis well here, it will ski well ANYWHERE.
PAST TOP FIVE WINNERS
Hard to narrow down but if we simply go by the numbers and tally the points, Here are our top five picks from the 2006 ski test (click on the ski to access the manufacturers' site):
1. Head XRC 1200
Test score: 9.1
"faster, faster" wrote Kenny. "stable, wicked grip!" Synopsis: What can you say about a ski that just won't quit. Outskiing it's bigger, more expensive Head brothers. The 1200 is a ski that'll simply ski everything and be all green and blue doing it! Not a single faux-pas in its repertoire, just sweet, fast, sandwich-construction goodness, hold the gizmos. A great buy for those who like to ski the entire mountain but ski mostly groomed runs.
2. Fischer RX8 Test score: 8.9
Bob wrote "Rockets! Amazing, quick, lively" Synopsis: Sure, we'll sell you wide skis if that's what you want... But THIS is what you should really be skiing on. A sport-sedan/wagon to the omni-present SUV's that permeate the landscape. Fast, nimble, sure footed and incredibly versatile. The test logs were oozing with praise for this ski. A top choice if you like more meat under foot and prize control and technique in your alpine experience.
3. Dynastar Contact 11 Test score: 8.6
"Holds an edge, smooth in the bumps, very quick and responsive" wrote Janet. Synopsis: Son of the legendary Ski Cross 11, this ski does it all... Sure footed, dynamic, versatile, tenacious on ice and rewarding to no end. If you ski a bit slower than mach 9 or weigh-in at less than 185 lbs, may we suggest the Contact 10 or 9? These two siblings came in just a few points short of the 5th spot. Just a bit more versatile than the RX8 and the 1200 due to its wider footprint, the Contact 11 give up pure groomed perfection in order to satisfy everywhere else on the mountain.
4. Fischer AMC 76
Test score: 8.6
Leanne noted: "Great ski, buttery, handles all terrain with confidence"
Synopsis:
If you could sell just one ski? This would be it. If many of us had to buy ONE ski and make it work for absolutely everywhere, east and west, Ice and Powder, Warp speed and bumps... This would be the ski. Just amazing. And did we say fast? Whoah! In the right length these puppies are Rocket sleds. If your looking for a hero ski that doesn't bite and that will allow you to ski off-piste all day yet with hardpack excellence, this is your ski. What kept this ski from being #1 is that it's not for the super-light or the timid. If you're strong, weight perhaps a bit more than average or like to rip faster than the rest of the boys and girls in your group, this is your dance partner.
5. Fischer AMC 79 Test score: 8.5
JF's thoughts: "While I prefer the more aggressive nature of the 76, this would be my choice for any Whistler vacation"
Synopsis:
Take everything we wrote about the AMC 76 (All Mountain Cruiser) and soften it up a bit, widen-it-up a bit, make it a tik less edgy, a bit more suited to BIG mountain skiing and deeper snow and yet 90% as competent everywhere else and you have our big-mountain favorite. This should be out number one selling ski here at Gord's. It suits 90% of our customers absolutely perfectly... The only glitch in the plan is it's price. Not exorbitant but not cheap either. This puppy will do it all... AND it's an automatic.
The reason we test skis is simple: How else can we tell you how these skis actually ski? and since we trust no-one's opinion but our own, and since we can't very well trust ski magazine tests ... we're left to conducting our own tests. Biased in favor of just one group: Our customers.
What can we say, it's not just about testing skis, it's about the good times, the food, the company, the experience, the laughter, the discovery of new places to ski, and sometimes it's the shared hate for the group leader... Whatever it is, testing skis is the reason why we all get together, the team is why we come back for more frigid temperatures, boiler-plate conditions and testing, testing, testing. Below you'll read about current and past testers, all of whom we owe a great-big THANK YOU for making all of this worth it. For helping us select the very best gear, for keeping us honest. For all the good times! We love you all! (except for kenny, of course. Like the song says: We hate him the most). 
We used to be big fans of Ski Canada, good people doing a great job under difficult conditions, flying the flag, fighting the good fight, promoting a sport that is in desperate need of promoting... 
The reason internet ski sales are measured in thousands of units rather than in millions of units is simply because ski selection is still (thankfully) the exclusive domain of the human experience. the $200 ski and the $900 ski share most of the same components so it's all about HOW the ski is made. Artisans still rule. Art is still a big part of ski construction... It's still about how the ski "feels". You just can't describe that unless you've slapped them on. That's what we do. We try them out, and help you understand the nuances. Help you get the right one for you. 
Ski-test-review sites are also another source of debatable information. Don't ask us to comment on these faceless, unaccountable, dubious reviews. We can only tell you about OUR experience. We trust no-one but ourselves and that's the main reason (as I've pointed out earlier) we go to considerable lengths and expense to test every single ski we think might be suitable for our customers... [
Unfortunately that's why we will never guarantee that ski 'X' will perform as advertised on their own website... Most ski manufacturers often mis-categorize their own product, it's a simple result of trying to hit every category... and why even their own 'product selectors' often miss the mark. Sometimes a ski that is supposed to be good at something ends up being AMAZING at something completely different... And there's nothing wrong with that. That's the beauty of our process, finding the jewels that will make your on-snow experience a phenomenal one rather than an adequate one. 
The only catch is that, unfortunately, we can't help you with selecting the right ski over the phone or by email... It's a process we'll only embark upon in person. And while we stand by our lowest price policy, there is a price to pay for all this knowledge, and that price is that you call (or drop by) one of our two locations, make an appointment with one of our specialists and make the trip to Gord's. Not an unreasonable investment we think, considering the potential upsides associated with finally owning the right gear.
Over the years we've come to the clear-cut conclusion that there are only a few brands of skis that simply don't do mediocre product, brands that no matter the year, the trend, the current fad, these guys are going to produce a great ski. We call these companies "blue chip"brands. They are not the biggest, but over the past 5 years they have impressed us the most. They all feel like they are run by skiers for skiers. Who are these excellent companies, you ask? Head, Fischer and Dynastar... That's who. It's simple, as long as you stay away from their first-price-point offerings (especially Head) you can't really go wrong. There's a reason we sell these brands: How well they test, year in - year out is why. 
No matter how amazing a ski is designed, marketed and sold, if it is tuned like poo, it's going to ski like poo. There's no other way of putting it. The brand that has most struggled with tuning over the past 7 years has definitely been Salomon. Some years they do it right... But historically they have the crappiest tunes at the test, bar none. Who has the best tunes? Head. Followed by Dynastar, Fischer and Rossignol. If you tune a crappy ski right, it's has a fighting chance of skiing better than it should. 
We test on the worst conditions you could possibly imagine... Like that year when it was -45 and the snow was not unlike hardened, icy styrofoam... And then there are the snowguns... everywhere at Tremblant... laying down crap snow for all to bog down in. If we tell you a ski was amazing, and we tested it at the giant upside-down ice-cube tray that is Tremblant... It will shred Fernie to an ounce of its life. Tremblant is the acid test of places to ski. If it skis well here, it will ski well ANYWHERE. 
