Freeskier tests another huge batch of 2013/14 skis, #FreeskierFest day two

Day two of action here at the Freeskier Microbrew Test has come to a close (except perhaps for a late night hot tub session, and inevitably a post-tub visit to the Wildwood Bar). Today saw bluebird skies and a 40-degree high. Enjoying the springlike atmosphere, our team of ski testers charged hard from bell to bell, scoring and reviewing loads of skis along the way.

While yesterday’s big pow dump allowed us to rock a plethora of mega-fat skis, today’s conditions—leftover pow stashes, crud and packed powder—were better suited to testing the “big-mountain” skis (most of the skis are placed into one or another category by the manufacturers themselves). Tomorrow’s forecast calls for more sunshine and a 46-degree-high, and we’ll be busting out the skis of the “all-mountain” designation.

After calling ‘er quits for the day, we made our way down to the Wildwood Bar in Snowmass Village for some mandatory après. The daily après parties provide a great opportunity for our staff and testers to catch up with brand reps—away from the hustle and bustle of the on-hill testing experience—to talk gear, industry trends and non-skiing related topics ranging from ice hockey, to women, to… well, that’s pretty much it. The Wildwood Bar—located downstairs at the Wildwood Hotel (where we’re shacked up this week) features a cush lounge where we’ve made ourselves very much at home. Food and drink are delivered to us regularly, the couches (on wheels) can be arranged however we please (it’s like Legos for adults) and today, we even enjoyed a bit of live music.

We’ve only been here two days and we’ve already made fast friends with the hotel staff. In fact, just this morning we convinced the Wildwood to host a Facebook contest to give away a three-night stay to one lucky Freeskier fan. The prospect of boosting Facebook likes while simultaneously stoking out our readers seemed to be a win-win. The contest ends March 31, and if you enter before the deadline strikes you might just be the lucky one playing couch-Tetris at the bar sometime in the winter of 2013/14.

And before I get too carried away writing, I think I’ll go rally the troops and see if we can’t get underway with that hot tub session… #Priorities #FreeskierFest

*Stay tuned for another large photo gallery in the days to come, plus video highlights from the Microbrew Test. Also, be sure to read yesterday’s recap for an explanation of how the Freeskier Ski Tests come to life.