How do we test?
Same Finish for All
Our annual examination procedure in Obergurgl does not intend to support advertising measures under the smoke screen of a ski test: Skitest.net puts a clear emphasis on objectivity. This is why all our skis are tested under identical conditions. This priciple is already valid in the preparatory stage. In order to guarantee the independence of our results, Skitest.net purchases every ski model we intend to examine. Before the single test runs, the skis are prepared by the computerised "Montana Glide Finish" grinding machine. Every year, this procedure takes place at "Intersport Riml" in Obergurgl, the owner of which belongs to the pioneers of modern ski service: Gerold Riml was involved with the early development of the "Glide Finish"-technique himself.
Every Ski for Everone
In order to test the single models of a certain category, the skiing intructors form different groups. Within these teams, every tester takes a run on every ski. The team members put every model to a tough test: under changing conditions from firn to artificial snow,
perfectly groomed slopes and dare-devil steep icy terrain, the skis' material behaviour is examined with regard to its steerability, balance and smoothness. After every run, the team members fill out special evaluation sheets, which are then immediately dropped into a black box. After every test run, the ski models are passed over to the next team member. Before the new test phase begins, all skis are prepared according to the Glide Finish-procedure again.
Experts aside the piste
Together with his son Andrä, Professor Wolfgang Aste is responsible for the issue of the evaluation sheets, the test management and the interpretation of the collected data. In close collaboration with an independent team of scientists from the University of Innsbruck they analyse about 2.500 items per ski test every year. Professor Aste used to be the chairman of the Technical Commission of the Austrian Ski School Association and was among the co-founders of our ski test.
Any questions left concerning our test procedure?
Feel free to ask: info@skitest.net
