Gord’s Ski Tests

 
Our first Gord’s Ski Test was in 2001 when JF and a dude named Frank Roberts hit Tremblant for what grew into a great big tradition of Gord’s Ski Tests.

Before we go any further, let us clarify that our ski tests were never journalistically perfect nor were they intended to be, they were alwys slightly biased towards brands that we sold.

Some ski magazines charge a small fortune for companies to be tested in their ski tests… Those who don’t charge knowingly or unknowingly bias their reviews through advertising and the use of sponsored testers… Blah blah blah, whine, whine, whine… Conspiracy theorists would have a field day at magazine ski tests. Not that the editorial side of these operations mean any harm but there’s always someone trying to make a buck… the latest money grab seems to be Canadian ski mags now publishing “advertorials” for big-box retailers heavily camouflaged as impartial ski tests.

One thing you should be made aware from the get-go is that if a featured ski does not exist on a manufacturer’s website it’s what we in the business call an SMU. Special Make Up skis are a way for big box stores to help customers belie their often exaggerated “regular price” claims or to prevent these same customers from comparison shopping. Simple: You always get exactly what you pay for… And if you want the latest, greatest most pimpin’ ride known to man like the most amazing and wet-dream-inducing Scott Crusades (pictured here to the left) you gotta be ready to pay what it costs to ride with the big boys …because while not necessarily exorbitant in price, the good stuff never ends up in the discount bin.

So in order to get the true facts, the undisturbed, unspoiled information, we do what we must. We go out there and test skis ourselves… Lots of them. And once we’re done we only buy skis we truly enjoyed. We don’t take anyone’s word for it and we certainly don’t go by what manufacturers say or by what the latest fad dictates. (remember super short skis?) We are 100% accountable to you, our customer. As unbiased as we can be (among the brands sell, anyways) we strive to give you the straight goods. uncompromised. If the ski sucks, we don’t sell it. Simple. Wouldn’t it be great if that’s the way every shop and retailer did business? Because if that was the way all sports retailers did business, there would never be such a thing as a discount bin.

MEET THE TESTERS 
What can we say, it’s not just about testing skis, it’s about the good times, the food, the company, the experience, the laughter, the discovery of new places to ski, and sometimes it’s the shared hate for the group leader… Whatever it is, testing skis is the reason why we all get together, “the team” is why we come back for more frigid temperatures, boiler-plate conditions and testing, testing and more testing. Below you’ll read about current and past testers, to all of whom we owe a great-big THANK YOU for helping us select the very best gear. These guys and girls keep us honest and help with more than simple gear selection, they keep Gord Reid’s legacy and his “sell no crap” mantra alive.

These test events are filled with insane good times, tremendous adventure, much laughter, great skiing… and let’s not forget the many superlative memories we’ve gathered over the years. Ski testing (at least the way we do it) is one heck of a way to spend a vacation. Here are a few tidbits of information you might not know: [1] Gord’s Testers pay their own way on these things, that’s correct, you read right: No freebies. [2] Gord’s Testers were given a strict list of skis they had to test. [3] Testers were obligated to ski with JF for at least a portion of each day. (lucky bastards)