Ski Reviews: January 2008

Friday, January 25, 2008

Skireviews goes live with on-snow video ski tests!

Welcome to the first of many video-tests of the latest ski equipment brought to you by Skireviews.co.uk featuring Chris Haworth.

Our first video ski-test features the stunning new Tornado Ti for 2008/9 which is perhaps Salomon''s greatest all-terrain advanced - expert ski since the legendary X-Scream Series...hope you enjoy the test, Chris

Friday, January 18, 2008

Tignes Airwaves, Halfpipe, January, 2008

The manufacturer says this about the Tignes Airwaves, Halfpipe, January, 2008:

Monday, January 07, 2008

ISPO header

As the snow tips down across the European Alps and skiing in 2007-8 has a resurgence of confidence with such an excellent start to the season it is nearly time for the industry to start thinking of the year to come - 2008-9!

ISPO, the international snow and winter sport exhibition in Munich, Germany is only a few weeks away and is perhaps the Worlds most important and broadest range of winter sports products for the professional and enthusiast alike.

So as the excitement builds towards the main event it will be interesting to see the emergence of brands after some major mergers and acquisitions within the industry.

Expect lots of innovation from the "Freeski" market, the blend of freestyle and freeride as several majors move away from specific freestyle skis into more all-round mountain performers with broader appeal and some innovative designs.

On the race front expect some strong products skis from the Amer group, Salomon and Atomic as they have merged their knowledge to build some hybrid-technology skis.

Here at Skireviews.co.uk we will aim to keep you informed with the latest kit and any innovations that spring to the slopes from the imminent ski tests and trade shows.

Rossignol, Ghetto, 2009

Perhaps your first look at the 2008/9 Rossignol Ghetto's. Seen here at the spectacular Tignes Airwaves in the French Alps this could be the base of the newest Pro-model Ghetto's from one of the last the French manufacturers.

Check out Tignes Airwaves for the latest freeride, freestyle and skiercross news at -

www.tignesairwaves.com

About skireviews.co.uk

Welcome to Skireviews.co.uk and thanks for reading our reviews and news.

Skireviews is a completely independent ski review and information site that brings the latest equipment tests, news from the Alpine skiing world and some of the latest mutterings from the Alps.

Equipment Testing -

For more than twenty years Chris Haworth has been active in the skiing world. Chris has experience from ski racing to ski sales, ski testing to development, training and pretty much most forms of work within the industry. Chris brings an insightful and informed, amusing, lighthearted yet accurate approach to the latest developments within the ski industry.

The vast majority of skis reviewed are tested directly by Chris although several freestyle or womens skis may be reviewed by fellow testers who are better suited to a specific category.

A ski will be tested over two runs unless they are "bloody awful" and Chris "would prefer to walk down the slope."

A first, "get to know you" run will involve some slower turns to feel how the ski responds at lower speeds; building up to test the skis limits in the conditions specific to the manufacturers fabrication and intentions over the final phase of the first and throughout the second run.

Ski Rating

New for 2008/09 we have decided to rate each ski with a score of up to 100 -

96-100:

An extraordinary ski displaying all the attributes expected of a ski of its variety. Graphics, finish, manufacturing quality and performance are of the highest order. Skis of this caliber are worth a special effort to find and ride.

90-95:
An outstanding ski with superb performance and character but perhaps lacking on-the-limit performance or slightly below par graphics.

80-89:
Above average to very good skis. Displaying few flaws within their category but perhaps a little "undermined" in terms of quality of manufacture, limits of performance or poor aesthetics.

70-79:
An average pair of skis with little distinction except that they are soundly made. Straightforwards, innocuous and utlilitarian.

60-69:
A below average ski. Containing noticeable performance deficiencies or poor manufacturing qualities or horrendous aesthetics.

50-59:
Barely acceptable skis that are not capable of performing within their category to an acceptable level.

0-50:
Avoid.

A word from Chris -
I hope you enjoy the reviews and news here at skireviews.co.uk.
Please feel free to comment upon the site and features, my best wishes for some great turns and powder in the future,
all the best,

Chris

Ski Reviews