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Screw the forecast! FREESKIER’s Buyer’s Guide Live Demo Tour takes over Killington Mountain

Screw the forecast! FREESKIER’s Buyer’s Guide Live Demo Tour takes over Killington Mountain

Following a rousing event in Vail, Colorado, on the first stop of the Buyer’s Guide Live Demo Tour, the FREESKIER team hopped on a plane headed for Boston, Massachusetts, our final destination: Killington Mountain just outside of Rutland, Vermont. Driving into the Green Mountain State the night prior to the event, fog, rain and 40-degree temperatures plagued the small mountain town, but we kept our hopes high that the precipitation would fade as the forecast predicted. We knew that East Coasters don’t wimp out on a ski day just because of a little rain—but we’d have to wait and see…

Come morning, sideways rain faded into a drizzle as brand reps from 4FRNT, Amalgam Skis, Atomic, Dynastar, Faction, Fischer, Icelantic Skis, J Skis, Line, Rossignol, Salomon and Völkl set up an assortment of their latest and greatest skis, first featured in the FREESKIER Buyer’s Guide. As the rain subsided, our doubts quickly realigned—out here, no matter the weather, people go skiing, that much was clear from the get-go. Diehards donning trash bags, ponchos and fully-waterproofed rain jackets, including proper sailing gear made for cross-Atlantic expeditions, made their way toward our registration tables, wide-eyed at the chance to take turns on a variety of this year’s best skis. Slightly soaked and with a grin on his face, one skier said it better than I ever could—he coined the conditions “perfect Scottish weather.” Well-said, stranger, well-said.

As darkness settled over Killington Mountain in the mid-afternoon, the FREESKIER team and hoards of thirsty skiers relocated to the K1 Lodge, Killington’s foremost après spot. Solo musician Chris Palutto treated the crowd to acoustic tunes that spanned a variety of genres—an impressive, lengthy set that had everyone’s feet stompin’. FREESKIER then took the stage to hand out gear from YETI, POC, Mammut, Ski Town All-Stars, Zipline and others, which stirred the crowd into a frenzy.

Looking ahead to next weekend, FREESKIER will bring the Buyer’s Guide Live Demo Tour to Copper Mountain, Colorado, for its final stop. With snow in the forecast, it’s lining up to be the ideal scenario for finding your next set of powder skis. Intriguing? Certainly. Exhilarating? Definitely.

Photo Gallery

Images by Sam Taggart, FREESKIER Online Editor

FREESKIER’s Buyer’s Guide Live Demo Tour hits Killington, VT.
The Demo Center, with Killington’s Superstar trail in the background.
Big shout to all the brand reps who came out and made the demo possible!
Getting sorted with Salomon skis.
Checking DINs—duh.
All smiles from the Kilington Mountain crew.
Skiers were treated to snacks from Clif Bar, too.
Jason Levinthal (middle) keeps it silly with his crew.
Is that Bob Ross?
A closer look at the latest Sir Francis Bacon by Eric Pollard and Line Skis.
Proper rain attire.
FREESKIER’s Cian O’Connor tests the waterproofing on his Eddie Bauer kit.
Layin’ trenches on the Liberty Skis V92.
FREESKIER’s Philip Welsh holds an edge on the 4FRNT Raven.
Killington’s K1 Lodge, prime territory for après.
Chris Palutto sings his heart out at the BGL Demo Tour afterparty.
YETI ramblers, POC goggles were just some of the awesome prizes given out to skiers.
Custom hats by Ski Town All-Stars.
Tongues out for The Boys.
This squad was lookin’ fresh in their new lids from Ski Town All-Stars.
The lucky lady on the left won one of our giveaway packages… on her birthday!