The 2014 All-Mountain Ski Test has come and gone. With more ski testers on site than in years past (nearly fifty in total), each one utilizing our new web based Ski Test app, we managed to test skis more effectively and efficiently than ever before. We had plenty of fun along the way, too, playing games, enjoying extravagant family dinners and introducing a fashion show to the mix for the first time. All told, this rendition of #FreeskierFest may go down as the most memorable yet.

In the course of our five days on Aspen Mountain, we tested hundreds of skis, amassing thousands of test forms via the new app. These reviews and scores serve as the basis for selection of our Editor’s Picks in the 2014 Buyer’s Guide—hitting mailboxes in late August and newsstands in early September. Having tested a wide variety of all-mountain, big-mountain and powder specific skis—the testing done by male and female skiers of many different body types and skier types—we’ll be able to pinpoint the best planks of 2014, and explain which models cater to your specific style of skiing.

Off the hill, we enjoyed daily après parties at the Sky Hotel and nightly family dinners courtesy of our chefs, Nate and Red. We dished out of champagne for the best uses of #FreeskierFest, resulting in some ultra creative photoshooting. We played the game of “Mine,” ensuring everyone’s biceps were bulging by week’s end. We discussed ski testing’s comparability to speed dating. We knocked back probably a few too many pitchers of Coors at the Red Onion, and shared many hearty laughs along the way.

2014 All-Mountain Ski Test highlight video 1 of 2

Behind The Scenes: Freeskier’s 2014 All-Mountain Ski Test at Aspen/Snowmass

Freeskier would like to extend thanks to our amazing team of ski testers for their hard work this week. Thanks also to chefs Nate and Red for feeding the crew. Additional thanks goes to Aspen Ski Co. and Aspen/Snowmass for hosting us and putting up with our shenanigans. And last, but certainly not least, big thanks to our ski test sponsors: Ski.com, SNOCRU—makers of the SnoCru app and the Sky Hotel—it was great hanging with you all, and with your support our week of testing skis was that much more enjoyable.

With the All-Mountain Test and the Microbrew Ski Test in the books, we are still only 2/3 of the way done with our annual ski tests. #FreeskierFest rolls on to Breckenridge, April 8-12, for the Park Ski Test. Stay tuned.

Related:

– Ski testing is like speed dating say two Freeskier ski testers, stars of “G.N.A.R”
– See 22 photos from day one of the 2014 All-Mountain Ski Test
– Behind the test: How we use technology to simplify ski testing
– Highlighting the 2013/14 Microbrew Ski Test at Snowmass Mountain
– The 2014 Microbrew Ski Test comes to a close in Snowmass, CO
– Testing “big-mountain freestyle skis” on day two of the All-Mountain Ski Test
– See 37 new photos from the #FreeskierFest Fashion Show at Sky Hotel
– The first annual #FreeskierFest Fashion Show goes down at Sky Hotel