Ski Tester Quick Takes Day One: Gear Test Week 2019

Gear Test Week 2019 kicks off this week at Powder Mountain, Utah, with blue skies and toasty temperatures ringing in day one for our dedicated group of 50 ski and board testers. Their goal: find the latest and greatest skis, boards, boots and bindings for this coming season. To learn more about what’s on tap for winter 2019, we’ll be catching up with testers slope-side to hear about their daily gear selects.

First off, we take a run with ski testers Matteo (Teo) Campbell and Betsy Manero to find out what planks they like for the soft, spring corn.

Tester: Matteo Campbell

Tester Teo Campbell surveys the goods. [Photo] Matt Kiedaisch

Ski Tested: Head Kore 99 (189 cm)

Campbell makes angles as the sun beats down on day one. [Photo] Matt Kiedaisch

“I haven’t found a top end on them [for speed.] They roll edge to edge unbelievably well, and if it was deep, I’d be bringing these along as well.”

Tester: Betsy Manero

Tester Betsy Manero soaks in the rays on day one of the test. [Photo] Matt Kiedaisch

Ski Tested: Dynastar Legend W 96 (178 cm)

Manero finds the sweet spot for the Dynastar Legend W 96. [Photo] Matt Kiedaisch

“I liked how the tip and tail were pretty soft, so they were forgiving, but underfoot they were still stiff enough to drive through crud. I think that they would be a really good ski for an intermediate-to-expert skier who wants to start getting off piste more.”

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