Featured Image: Rachel Zimmerman
Whoever said you can have too much of a good thing has never skied soft snow on a Colorado bluebird day. That’s what the second week of the 2025 FREESKIER Gear Lab has brought us here in Vail, and we can’t complain in the slightest. Our crew of testers is now filled with fresh faces, as well as some familiar folks from week one.
We’ve brought in rippers from Bozeman, Jackson Hole and Denver, along with a select group of Vail locals including freeride coaches and shop techs. As a whole, this group represents the finest ski gear testers ever assembled.
Fresh legs have been crucial, as testing over 60 skis and the best of next year’s boots, outerwear, gloves and accessories is no easy task. But this crew has been more than up to the challenge. With over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain at Vail Mountain, we’ve had plenty of action so far, from cat tracks to soft bumps, the steep pitches of Blue Sky Basin and Genghis Khan to the fast groomers of Chair 11. Chances are we haven’t repeated a line without intention, and you can trust that!
Week one of the Gear Lab delivered cold temps and consistent snow, letting us test the bulk of next year’s powder skis. Those are the planks clocking in around 110mm underfoot.
Week two has given us sunny, clear skies and a variety of conditions. Firm snow in the mornings has made for proper front-side testing, with groomer laps and chalky turns in the trees on tap. The afternoons have been packed full of hot laps and smooth turns.
The variety of conditions has allowed us to get our testers thoughts on boots from Salomon, Kästle, Phaenom Footwear, Atomic, Armada and Tecnica as well as kits from Rab, Kükl, Rossignol, Peak Performance and more. Of course, the sunshine had us itching for a classic FREESKIER après party, and we just couldn’t exist. Check out a few photos from the action below.
Different temperatures and snow have let us fully explore the range of this gear, and we’re excited to share our crew’s feedback with you this Fall in our annual Buyer’s Guide! With written reviews, videos and more, stay tuned as FREESKIER brings you the best 2026 gear.
