Featured Picture: Rachel Zimmerman
Whoever mentioned you possibly can have an excessive amount of of a great factor has by no means skied tender snow on a Colorado bluebird day. That’s what the second week of the 2025 FREESKIER Gear Lab has introduced us right here in Vail, and we will’t complain within the slightest. Our crew of testers is now stuffed with contemporary faces, in addition to some acquainted people from week one.
We’ve introduced in rippers from Bozeman, Jackson Gap and Denver, together with a choose group of Vail locals together with freeride coaches and store techs. As a complete, this group represents the best ski gear testers ever assembled.
Contemporary legs have been essential, as testing over 60 skis and the perfect of subsequent yr’s boots, outerwear, gloves and equipment is not any simple job. However this crew has been greater than as much as the problem. With over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain at Vail Mountain, we’ve had loads of motion to date, from cat tracks to tender bumps, the steep pitches of Blue Sky Basin and Genghis Khan to the quick groomers of Chair 11. Chances are high we haven’t repeated a line with out intention, and you’ll belief that!
Week one of many Gear Lab delivered chilly temps and constant snow, letting us take a look at the majority of subsequent yr’s powder skis. These are the planks clocking in round 110mm underfoot.
Week two has given us sunny, clear skies and a wide range of situations. Agency snow within the mornings has made for correct front-side testing, with groomer laps and chalky turns within the bushes on faucet. The afternoons have been packed filled with scorching laps and clean turns.
The number of situations has allowed us to get our testers ideas on boots from Salomon, Kästle, Phaenom Footwear, Atomic, Armada and Tecnica in addition to kits from Rab, Kükl, Rossignol, Peak Efficiency and extra. In fact, the sunshine had us itching for a basic FREESKIER après get together, and we simply couldn’t exist. Try just a few photographs from the motion under.
Completely different temperatures and snow have allow us to totally discover the vary of this gear, and we’re excited to share our crew’s suggestions with you this Fall in our annual Purchaser’s Information! With written evaluations, movies and extra, keep tuned as FREESKIER brings you the perfect 2026 gear.
