2020 Testers’ Choice: Kris Thomas’s Picks

The 17 inches of powder that fell on Powder Mountain, Utah this past March didn’t distract testers at the 2020 Gear Test Week from logging hours on this coming season’s newest skis, splitboards and boots to find the standouts across crud, corduroy and deep blower fresh. From bell to bell, each tester buckled down to […]

Hagan Boost 99 Skis

“For the weight, the Hagan Boost surprised me with its stable, predictable ride,” one tester said, praising the well-rounded prowess of Hagan’s new midfat. “These skis hold an edge well, have a shovel to keep you up in the pow and are light enough to go all day.” “A light, wispy ski that can carve […]

Black Diamond Equipment Helio 95 Skis

Black Diamond overhauled their Helio line of touring-specific skis last season and the widest model, the Helio 116, earned an Editors’ Choice Award for its best-in-class weight-to-width ratio. This season, BD takes a victory lap, with top honors falling on a ski that blew away the mid-90 mm competition—on both the uptrack and the descent. […]

Völkl Mantra V.Werks Skis

With their Mantra V.Werks, Völkl didn’t just create a ski for the masses; they’ve provided the masses with a chance to ski better. “The platform underfoot is stiff and snappy, giving unrelenting edge hold,” one tester observed. “It’s like a one-size-fits all ski,” one Montana-based tester said of the mid-fat Mantra. “Even the Jerriest of […]

Black Crows Camox Freebird Skis

“Best for someone who wants a monogamous relationship with their skis,” one tester quipped of the Black Crows Camox Freebird’s loyalty-inspiring performance that’s now secured this 96 mm-underfoot ski an Editors’ Choice Award two years running. “Best for big days when you know you’re going to be going through variable terrain,” one tester said. Slight […]

Voilé Hyper v6 Skis

Last season, Voilé injected their skis with a special sauce that elevated the line to another level. The new recipe goes by the name Hyper, a fitting moniker given the energy dividends these lightened skis now offer. In the case of the Hyper V6, that’s a 15-percent weight savings—more than enough to take another lap. […]

K2 Aspect Snowboard Boots

“Vans-slip-on comfort while touring” The Tech: The Aspect dynasty continues with a fourth consecutive Editors’ Choice Award. Testers were amped on the inner Boa lacing system, which cinches the Intuition SpaceHeater liner, as well as on the trustworthiness of traditional laces and a Velcro strap across the tongue. The Talk: The Vibram Mountaineer Outsole’s “chunky […]

Telos DST Ultralight Splitboard

“By far the most stable and responsive board in its weight class,” one test veteran said. “The first ultralight board I want to take off the scale and actually ride.” “all-mountain dominator—I felt like I took the red pill and leveled into The Matrix.” Experienced testers tend to be more vigilant with ultralight decks: featherweight […]

K2 Marauder Splitboard

“Take it anywhere and be prepared to be satisfied, but not ecstatic.” The Tech: $900 for a split, pucks, skins and hardware? Bob Barker might as well be whispering seductively in your ear. The Marauder follows a simple, proven formula: a blunt, elongated nose tapering to a squat, square tail, plus a camber-dominant profile and […]

Igneous Women’s Carbon Swallowtail Splitboard

Like a masterfully forged katana, Igneous’s Women’s Carbon Swallowtail was gorgeous, deadly “A ninja in the trees,” A boutique shop out of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Igneous handcrafts custom skis and snowboards and, as it turns out, the women’s deck they submitted to the test was actually the owner’s wife’s personal split, designed after four years […]

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