Everything you need to know about summer ski testing

In addition to being a great time to learn new skills on snow, summer also provides a ski racer the best opportunity to test next winter’s equipment from top ski brands. After an abundant season of snowfall in the western U.S., equipment manufacturers are adding new test centers outside of the Mt. Hood norm, including Mammoth Mountain and Squaw Valley in California as more teams utilize these emerging venues. Some brands will even be on site in New Zealand, Europe and South America. What does this mean for athletes? More opportunities than ever to find the best equipment for the 2017-18 competition season.

Atomic
This summer, Atomic will provide more testing then ever before with the ability to customize test programs for clubs and individual racers. Please reach out to your regional Atomic representative (contact information below) to schedule any testing of skis and/or boots.

On-site testing is available at Mammoth Mountain June 8-24; Mt. Hood, Ore., July 8-30; Mt. Hood Masters U.S. Championships in July; and in Europe, South America, and New Zealand all summer long.

• Atomic Western Race Rep – Shaun Spacht, shaun@atomic.com, 303.819.8254
• Atomic Eastern Race Rep – Kristen Kilchenstein, kristen@atomic.com, 603.828.2305

Blizzard/Tecnica
Blizzard/Tecnica will have race fleets available for testing in multiple U.S. locations this summer. Since California’s snowpack is still in great shape, athletes can obtain skis from their demo tents from May 25-July 15.

Visiting a California resort? Contact:

• Pearson Neal, Pneal@tecblizz.com, 603.724.4873
• Brennan Smith (Mammoth liaison to pick up skis)
• Aidan Drumstas (demo tent), 207.265.6100

Mt. Hood, the Mecca of summer racing, will be in full send mode with record snowfall last winter. Blizzard/Tecnica’s partners, Keelys Camp for Girls and Party Beach Ski Camps, will also return to shred. From June 10-July 10, athletes can visit Blizzard/Tecnica at Vallians Ski Shop from 1-4 p.m. daily for a full range of product including adult FIS skis down to the 122 SL JR ripper skis, as well as the R 9.3 130s and Mach 1 R 90s.

Interested in testing in Oregon? Contact:

• Pearson Neal, Pneal@tecblizz.com, 603.724.4873
• Joe Sipe, 970.343.9245
• Cody Wilson, 530.310.5588

Fischer
Fischer will be in Mt. Hood, Ore., and Mammoth Mountain, Calif., during the month of June. The Oregon demo center will be operated by appointment only from June 8-July 3. Coaches will need to sign releases for athletes and adjust forward pressure on bindings. Interested athletes and coaches should contact:

• Ryan Daniel, 603.568.2137

Will Courtney will be in Mammoth from June 5-June 18, operating from the base of the mountain daily. Releases will need to be filled out and signed by athletes and/or coaches. If you have questions, please contact:

• Will Courtney, william.courtney@fischersports.com

HEAD
HEAD is thrilled to welcome Cameron Smith as its new Western Race and Promotions Associate to the team this year. As a member of the 2013 and 2015 NCAA National Championship ski teams, and most recently as the Assistant Alpine Coach at the University of Colorado, ski racing is at his core.

Together, Cameron and Matt Larson, HEAD’s Eastern Race and Promotions Associate, will be managing HEAD’s test center at Government Camp in Mt. Hood (located at Mount Hood Alpine Racing Center 88786 E. Government Camp Loop) this summer to provide a first-class experience. Their goal is to support athletes in testing quality and perfectly tuned HEAD race equipment from June 9-July 15.

HEAD also welcomes back test center veterans Nick Mitchell and Jake Dippy, who are an integral part of its team, and who worked at HEAD’s test center last summer.

It was another winning race season for HEAD’s World Cup Rebels; we encourage all athletes to stop by the HEAD test center this summer to feel the innovation of some of the fastest, World Cup-proven, skis, boots, and bindings on snow.

Nordica
Nordica will offer skis for testing at two locations during the 2017 summer. National Race Manager David Nihan will have product available at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. from May 15- 29. Skis are also available by appointment through June as well.

At Mt. Hood, Ore., skis and boots are available from June 10-28 by appointment/ski delivery service. Please contact Nihan boot sole length (mm) and DIN setting.

• David Nihan, National Race Manager, dnihan@nordicausa.com, 802.595.6178

Rossignol/Lange/Dynastar/Look
Rossignol/Lange/Dynastar/Look will have the same Mt. Hood test center as the past two summers. Look for the two trailers on Main Street in Government Camp across from Collins Lake from June 10-July 12. Matt Beers will lead the charge along with Cam Price (Colby College) and Max Richards (Colby College), who will be supporting Beers all summer. We will also have skis at Mammoth all summer as well. Programs and teams should contact Jake Stevens at jake.stevens@rossignol.com for details.

Volkl/Marker/Dalbello
Volkl/Marker/Dalbello will have test centers in Mt. Hood, Ore., and Mammoth Mountain, Calif., this summer. On Main Street in Government Camp – above Charlie’s Mountain View – athletes can test equipment from June 11-July 31. Questions about the Mt. Hood test center can be sent to:

• Thatcher Jacques, MDV National Race Manager, thatcher.jacques@mdv-usa.com
• Alex Leich, MDV Eastern Race Service, alex.leich@mdv-usa.com

For anyone headed to California, Volkl/Marker/Dalbello equipment is available for testing from May 22-June 30. A trailer will be parked in The Yodeler parking lot at Mammoth. Questions about the Mammoth test center can be sent to:

• Thatcher Jacques, MDV National Race Manager, thatcher.jacques@mdv-usa.com
• Kyle Kracht, MDV Western Race Service, kyle.kracht@mdv-usa.com