New Ski Press Magazine Ski Reviews

[CMCM]

I don't know if you've all seen this magazine...Ski Press....they put out several issues a year. The first one is always a big ski equipment review issue. I picked one up at a ski shop (free) last year and really liked all the info in it. I just got an email that it's about to be published in a couple of weeks, but meanwhile you can read it online if you want at this link:

https://www.skipressworld.com/usa/index.php/usavol8no1-8.html

 

[Jilly]

Ski Press is the only review that I think is for real. One thing is they use ski industry people. Lots are ski instructors and race coaches. These people can tell the difference in skis and also understand which type of skier would benefit from the skis.

And you get the read the WHOLE magazine on line. Just like you were reading it on the couch.

What for later this month their - ski selector on the website. You enter info and they will list out a group of skis for you.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Website ski selector is probably the best one online. Take a look at the online magazine - it's terrific and imminently readable because it loads fast. Every sub-category of ski is broken down to top 3 in ratings with lengthy descriptions, other top skis in each category gets a nod. Very well laid out.

 

[SnowHot]

The woman's ski that got THE highest review, the Elan Freespice was really panned by our own Diva's. Any thoughts on this?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

The woman's ski that got THE highest review, the Elan Freespice was really panned by our own Diva's. Any thoughts on this?

Yeah, I noted that, too....
In my case, I went into demo w/no expectations/hopes - just do it kinda deal. I think my issues were pilot-originated, frankly. Maybe I wasn't strong enough/skiing strong enough. Maybe I hadn't made sufficient adaptation to this wider (88) waist. Whatever it was, ski just wasn't for me. OTOH, the Wave Spice was a hoot & holler. Loved it. So go know...

Clearly, an example of why demo is SUCH a critical aspect of ski choice.

 

[SnowHot]

MSL, I took my time replying to this because I've been thinking about ski reviews in general. While I see a tremendous amount of value in the review done by an average skier, instead of "just" the pros, I wonder how accurately some of us recognize the properties of a ski, and how it may suite one skier, while leaving another skier unimpressed.
I'm using the Free Spice as an example, because last year it was on the list of top skis I really wanted to get on, but since I found it relatively unavailable to me, and had easy access to the Blizzard line up, I never had a chance to try it. I still see many pro reviews with high marks on many counts, which still leaves me wondering if I'd like it, yet I have less enthusiasm, because of the ski diva input on it.

That said, what qualifies a person to review a ski?
Are we being fair to the ski if we only say we did or didn't like it, without taking the time to describe the characteristics of the gear?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Really interesting question, SnowHot, I gave it some thought.

Objectivity, perhaps? And coming clean as to wants/needs/desires/ability?
The objectivity aspect is a can of worms. Obviously, the skis I demo’d were not “masked,” as they are when reviewed by pros in publications.

I’m not a technoid (not that being one a BAD thing - ). Only know how I ski and what I was seeking in a ski (in the case of my demo night, an all-mountain type capable of light pow/crud-busting). I went in with little knowledge of the skis I demo’d - only that I’d read about a couple of them on the forum and elsewhere and was curious.

That’s about as objective as I could get – the rest was just impression. I tried to ski similar lines each run, each ski, at my personal comfort level. It was an amazing demo experience, as we could quickly switch out after 1 or 2 runs with little down time (over 50 to choose from, ). Undoubtedly, my best demo experience EVER.

When I was on the fence, I took a 2nd run. Did this with 2 of them, just to feel out the subtle differences.

I’m no pro, but I’ve been at this long enough to know how to replicate a run (it was 6" fresh, was easy!) and initiate/follow-through the same type of turn, let ‘em run, etc. I really had no preconceived expectations of any of the 5....I had never skied any of these models prior.

You’ve got me intrigued enough now to want to demo this ski again when/if (hope!) this same demo night is available to me!

 

[Elangirl]

For my part, I think that the Free Spice is a ski for experts only---but, within that parameter,it is an awesome ski. It is a woman's ski and so has the shape and binding a little forward.

I skied it and loved it when I was going fast and straight downhill in powder. It loves to go fast and like most powder skis, does not like to turn alot while moving.

Having said all of that---I don't ski that way very much anymore. I am more a fan of a ski that takes its time. This year, I bought the Pure Spice which is a little softer and a little more shaped--it has a 78 mm waist--more the ski for me. However, I do think that the Free Spice was an awesome wood core powder ski for those who do like to rip! And, let's face it, most of the tester's love to rip---so, that ski would shine within the woman's category.

 

[CMCM]

Here's my frustration with ski reviews: It appears that skis are ALWAYS reviewed by really good skiers. Advanced, long-time skiers. Skiers who can ski anything,any ski.

I would like to see low level beginner skis reviewed by a person who at most, has recently come from beginner level and is perhaps at the time of the review, a low intermediate. I'd like to see intermediate skis reviewed by intermediate skiers. Perhaps target a ski according to its level, and match that level to the sort of person who might want to buy it. THAT would be realistic in my opinion. For example, I could do some great reviews based on skis for my own particular level. I could probably still do good reviews on more beginner type skis, too. And I could test advanced type skis while doing the type of intermediate skiing I do, and offer comments about how they might or might not be way too advanced for my current level. THESE kinds of reviews would be really helpful in my opinion.

Sorry, but an advanced skier who is very good on most if not all conditions and who is able to ski fast, slow, turn well etc., this kind of reviewer isn't walking in my ski boots.

I look at reviews, but can't take too many of them seriously. And in fact, I think the best advice is always from an actual USER of the ski, someone who has used the ski for quite a few sessions, not just an hour demo on one day with that day's conditions. I think the reviews on this site actually tend to be more informative for this very reason! Of course, this means you probably can't get solid, inclusive reviews until mid season, at least!

 

[badger]

CMCM, I've got to say that, at my level--moderate intermediate--, I truly cannot make the fine distinctions between skis. I am not personally familiar enough with the properties and parameters of skis.
While I understand the semantics I am not a skier that is able to FEEL the subtle differences in most cases. Before purchasing my own skis, I did do a lot of demoing. However the skis I demoed were ones
reviewed by those testers in all the articles from a variety of sources. I just had to put their comments into perspective for my abilities, and qualities I wanted (needed) to advance without killing myself on something too advanced for my present potentials.

...And then I add the DIVA COMMENTS!!!

 

[Jilly]

Ski Press is one of the few test that uses ski instructors and race coaches. I feel that they are the best to determine the characteristics of the ski. Remember a ski instructor will ski any terrain and must be able to adapt their skiing to the level of their student. So who better to try an intermediate ski, on intermediate runs, using intermediate technique. A ski instructor!

 

[SnowHot]

CMCM, I've got to say that, at my level--moderate intermediate--, I truly cannot make the fine distinctions between skis. I am not personally familiar enough with the properties and parameters of skis.
While I understand the semantics I am not a skier that is able to FEEL the subtle differences in most cases. Before purchasing my own skis, I did do a lot of demoing. However the skis I demoed were ones
reviewed by those testers in all the articles from a variety of sources. I just had to put their comments into perspective for my abilities, and qualities I wanted (needed) to advance without killing myself on something too advanced for my present potentials.

...And then I add the DIVA COMMENTS!!!

This is a great post, along with Elangirls comments about the Free Spice..... and one of the reasons I like to see the ski divas use the ski score report card that VG put up in the review section.

Some of the skis that do not receive a good review by intermediate skiers are not being reviewed fairly if the ski is not being skied in the terrain it was designed for, or by the skier skill level it is designed for.
I should show examples from our own forum, but without taking the time to pull up specific (short on time at the moment) its up to you......

All reviews done should have the skier stats, skill level, terrain the ski was tested in, and the terrain the ski should have been tested in. Without those, we don't know if the ski was being used to the specifications it was meant to be skied in or if it has been tested fairly.

The pros who test for SPW take the equipment in the terrain its meant to be in, and putting it to the test where its supposed to be happy.