Featured Image: Gabe Rovick | Skier: Morgan Croke
When it comes to optimal testing conditions for the FREESKIER Gear Lab, a little bit of everything is what we want, and a little bit of everything is what we got during the first week of our annual test in Vail, Colorado.
These are our favorite weeks of the year, as brands begin to divulge their secret experiments and give us the chance to test out the best of next year’s skis, boots and apparel. Needless to say, our crew was ready to seize the opportunity.
Day One of the 2025 Gear Lab kicked off with fast and firm corduroy followed by sunshine and slush. Our hard-charging testers put next year’s 90-106mm all-mountain rippers through the wringer on everything Vail Mountain has to offer—groomers, bumps, trees, cliffs and a plethora of cat tracks and side hits to launch.
As the week progressed so did the storm cycle, dropping nearly a foot of new snow by Tuesday morning. Our testers eagerly took out the fattest skis in the lineup to plunder every last stash in the resort—from Upper Snag to Blue Sky Basin and everywhere in between. Vail reported almost 20″ of snow in the last week, and we were lucky enough to take full advantage.
Once the tap turned on, it didn’t let off for the remainder of the week, with a daily refresh on the slopes (and in our souls) allowing us to properly to test the bulk of the 100mm and wider skis in our arsenal.
We’ve got another week left of FREESKIER Gear Lab with a whole new set of testers with fresh legs for turning and burning so that we can bring you, devoted readers, all of the information you need about best sticks of next season.
Don’t go anywhere! We’ve got more Gear Lab action coming at you all next week.
