The SkiProphet Test Team has been riding next year’s boards and skis since early last week in Winter Park, Colorado. Even with the loss of their lame leader due to a busted tibia and a partial ACL tear, the Team has forged happily ahead test driving the 2011 product lines.
There are SkiProphet Teams at Snowbasin, UT, Mammoth Mtn., CA., Alpine Meadows, CA. and several nordic centers…
See how the skis are stacking up at www.rateskigear.com.
RateSkiGear.Com Rating System™ for Skis and Snowboards Defined
By: Tim Flanagan
The RateSkiGear.Com Rating System™ was developed to provide the Consumer, Buyers, Shop Owners, Professionals and snowsports Athletes with an in-depth, highly detailed resource for researching, rating and purchasing snowsports equipment. Now, more than ever, it is important to make highly informed decisions when it comes to spending your money.
The RateSkiGear.Com Rating System™ is based on the philosophy that every participant experiences an epic ski test when they go out on the hill. For this reason, our Site Membership is made up of people just like you, in addition to paid Professional and Sponsored Atheletes.
Equipment is rated on a 1-100 point scale. Each question in the RateSkiGear.Com Rating System™ Survey has one (1) to five (5) possible points, five (5) being the highest/best score for that specific question.
Not all the Survey Questions are applicable to certain Product Types. In these cases, selecting NA applies a score of five (5) points for that particular Survey Question. The RateSkiGear.Com Rating System™ is designed NOT to penelize a Product for something it is not designed to do.
Below is the list of criteria for rating a Alpine Ski or Snowboard:
Flex, Energy, Power and Acceleration
Responsiveness in Short Radius Turns
Responsiveness in Medium Radius Turns
Responsiveness in Long Radius Turns
Stability and Control at Slow Speeds
Stability and Control at Cruising Speeds
Stability and Control at Fast Speeds
Performance and Edge Hold on Hardpack/Ice
Performance on Groomed Lift Served Packed Powder
Performance in Crud/mixed conditions
Performance in Powder
Performance in Heavy Wet Snow Spring Conditions
Performance in Steeps, Chutes, Couloirs, Backcountry
Performance in Bumps, Trees
Performance in Racing and Competitive Events
Design, Innovation and Graphics
Durability and Warranty
Value vs. Price Paid
Overall Impression
Would you buy this product (again)?
I use this Product for Recreation (NOT SCORED)
I use this Product for Work (NOT SCORED)
This was a Product Test or Demo ONLY (NOT SCORE
In addition, Comment fields are provided for Product “Likes” and “Dislikes”
Site Member Profiles are displayed next to ALL ratings in order for you, the Site Visitor, to compare a Product Rating more suited to your indivdual/personal needs.
Site Membership is FREE! Please join us in providing useful information to the snowsports community.
Pleases visit us at : http://www.rateskigear.com/
Enjoy!
TEAM MEMBER PROFILE: Team Billy Flanagan
Discipline: Alpine Skiing
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Ability Level: Expert
Years skiing/riding: 48
Average days per season: 60
Favorite type of terrain:
· Alpine Lift Served
· Gentle, easy runs
· Intermediate runs
· Intermediate to Advanced runs
· Expert runs
· Extreme includes Chutes and Couloirs
Favorite conditions:
· Alpine
· Hardpack/Ice/Man-made snow
· Groomed packed powder
· Crud and Mixed snow conditions
· Powder
Are you a paid professional skier or snowboarder?: Yes
Are you a sponsored athlete?: No
Professional Snowsports Affiliation: (Shop name/Resort Name/Company/Brand):
· SkiProphet.Com™
Title: Founder/Owner
Certifications:
· PSIA
· USSA Coach
· Level II National Avalanche School
Years working in the Snowsports Industry: 35
Current City, Province/State and Country of Residence: Jackson, Wyoming U.S.A.
Favorite Product Brands: All of them!
Major accomplishments: I got outta bed this morning!
2009 Mammut Ultimate Hoody Mens Jacket scores 94 out of 100 points
By: Team Billy Flanagan
A perfect layering piece. now I can wear a wool base layer, a wool mid layer and this jacket. That’s all I need. High winds are NO problem. Best of all, I can wear this for year round activities. Massive side zips for venting and a two way front zipper are nice features to have.
The hood is a bit funky when you cinch it down. The hood’s brim gets out of shape and blocks my field of vision. Snagging it on a tree limb is a possibility, but normal wear and tear should pose no durability problem.
The only problem thus far is the bottom of the zippers remaining “seated”. They tend to crawl up while skiing and I’ve found myself needing to pull them back down more often than I’d like.
Overall, a great value.
Check out my detailed rating here:
http://www.rateskigear.com/products/ultimate-hoody-2/ratings/14
Site Member: Team Billy Flanagan
|
Discipline:
· Alpine Skiing |
|
Age:
· 50 year old “Wanna-Be”
|
|
Gender:
· Male
|
|
Ability Level:
· Expert
|
|
Years skiing/riding:
· 48
Average days per season:
· 60
|
|
Favorite type of terrain:
· Alpine Lift Served · Gentle, easy runs · Intermediate runs · Intermediate to Advanced runs · Expert runs · Extreme includes Chutes and Couloirs
|
|
Favorite conditions:
· Alpine · Hardpack/Ice/Man-made snow · Groomed packed powder · Crud and Mixed snow conditions · Powder
|
|
Are you a paid professional skier or snowboarder?:
· Yes
|
|
Are you a sponsored athlete?:
· No
|
|
Professional Snowsports Affiliation: (Shop name/Resort Name/Company/Brand):
· SkiProphet.Com™
Title:
· Founder/Owner
Certifications:
· PSIA · USSA Coach · Level II National Avalanche School
Years working in the Snowsports Industry:
· 35
Current City, Province/State and Country of Residence:
· Jackson, Wyoming U.S.A.
|
|
Education Level:
· BA
|
|
Favorite Product Brands:
· All of them!
Major accomplishments:
· I got outta bed this morning! |
2009 Dalbello Axion 11 ski boots score 94 out of 100 points
By: Team Billy Flanagan
Finding this shoe was like coming home again after a really long trip… I had two pair of the Avanti and when it became part of history I switched to the Krypton. I honestly think the Krypton Pro is the best skiing shoe I’ve ever had, but it is so narrow that in the Spring my toes always felt as if they might explode! The width of the Axion is perfect. NO need for customizing, or blowing out the shell. NOT one ‘hot spot”. This shoe is flat-out comfortable.
Good luck finding a pair. Most of these shop “Dudes” want to jam you into a boot that they think is best,. so they don’t carry the Axion!?! Very few Dalbello dealers even know about this shoe. They get stuck on the Krypton and can’t see the light. Too bad, this shoe is pain free, hastle free, custom fit free. It simply works.
Check out my detailed rating here:
http://www.rateskigear.com/products/axion-11/ratings/6
This was a Product Test
Check out the Dalbello Boot Collection here:
http://www.dalbello.it/Home.aspx
Site Member: Team Billy Flanagan
|
Discipline:
· Alpine Skiing |
|
Age:
· 50 year old “Wanna-Be”
|
|
Gender:
· Male
|
|
Ability Level:
· Expert
|
|
Years skiing/riding:
· 48
Average days per season:
· 60
|
|
Favorite type of terrain:
· Alpine Lift Served · Gentle, easy runs · Intermediate runs · Intermediate to Advanced runs · Expert runs · Extreme includes Chutes and Couloirs
|
|
Favorite conditions:
· Alpine · Hardpack/Ice/Man-made snow · Groomed packed powder · Crud and Mixed snow conditions · Powder
|
|
Are you a paid professional skier or snowboarder?:
· Yes
|
|
Are you a sponsored athlete?:
· No
|
|
Professional Snowsports Affiliation: (Shop name/Resort Name/Company/Brand):
· SkiProphet.Com™
Title:
· Founder/Owner
Certifications:
· PSIA · USSA Coach · Level II National Avalanche School
Years working in the Snowsports Industry:
· 35
Current City, Province/State and Country of Residence:
· Jackson, Wyoming U.S.A.
|
|
Education Level:
· BA
|
|
Favorite Product Brands:
· All of them!
Major accomplishments:
· I got outta bed this morning! |
2009 Hot Gear Single Boot Bag - Bode Miller Signature Model, scores 97 out of 100 points
By: Team Billy Flanagan
This product has ruined my life…. Ruined it. That’s right, I was once a man’s man and could slide my foot into a ski shoe with frost on the inside. Didn’t matter how stiff the shell was, how cold the day was, I was on a skiing mission and nothing was gonna stop me, not even cold boots.
Then came along a Hot Gear boot bag. Unplug it at home, plug it back into the car’s power outlet and suddenly I had warm, easy to put on, ski boots. Feet stay warm all day. Skiing is easy again.
I let my wife use the bag. That’s when this product ruined my skiing life. The bag instantly became her favorite piece of gear. Then my kids had to have one. All my friends had to have one and I stand alone in the cold without mine.
The Hot Gear Boot bag ruined my life, but my marriage has dramatically improved, so I guess I owe you for that. No more Viagra™ for me, just a Hot Gear boot bag and freshly waxed skis.
See my detailed rating here:
http://www.rateskigear.com/products/single/ratings/21
Check out the product line here:
Site Member: Team Billy Flanagan
|
Discipline:
· Alpine Skiing |
|
Age:
· 50 year old “Wanna-Be”
|
|
Gender:
· Male
|
|
Ability Level:
· Expert
|
|
Years skiing/riding:
· 48
Average days per season:
· 60
|
|
Favorite type of terrain:
· Alpine Lift Served · Gentle, easy runs · Intermediate runs · Intermediate to Advanced runs · Expert runs · Extreme includes Chutes and Couloirs
|
|
Favorite conditions:
· Alpine · Hardpack/Ice/Man-made snow · Groomed packed powder · Crud and Mixed snow conditions · Powder
|
|
Are you a paid professional skier or snowboarder?:
· Yes
|
|
Are you a sponsored athlete?:
· No
|
|
Professional Snowsports Affiliation: (Shop name/Resort Name/Company/Brand):
· SkiProphet.Com™
Title:
· Founder/Owner
Certifications:
· PSIA · USSA Coach · Level II National Avalanche School
Years working in the Snowsports Industry:
· 35
Current City, Province/State and Country of Residence:
· Jackson, Wyoming U.S.A.
|
|
Education Level:
· BA
|
|
Favorite Product Brands:
· All of them!
Major accomplishments:
· I got outta bed this morning! |
2009 Swix SGC -CT 1 – Composite Ski Poles scores 92 out of 100 points
By: Team Billy Flanagan
Perfect swing weight. The design reduced my arm swing and made my skiing more relaxed. Awesome at absorbing shock.
The grip is a bummer. Ask the dealer to switch it out for the grip with the yello thing on the top. Off trail and steeps, DON’T “plant” you pole or that little race basket will plunge right to the bottom. You can get powder baskets, but as a 50 year old “Wanna-Be, I don’t care tolook like a “Dude-Bro.” But hey, it ain’t really designed for this type of terrain anyway.
Check out my detailed rating here:
http://www.rateskigear.com/products/sgc-ct-1-composite/ratings/7
Site Member: Team Billy Flanagan
|
Discipline:
· Alpine Skiing |
|
Age:
· 50 year old “Wanna-Be”
|
|
Gender:
· Male
|
|
Ability Level:
· Expert
|
|
Years skiing/riding:
· 48
Average days per season:
· 60
|
|
Favorite type of terrain: · Alpine Lift Served · Gentle, easy runs · Intermediate runs · Intermediate to Advanced runs · Expert runs · Extreme includes Chutes and Couloirs
|
|
Favorite conditions: · Alpine · Hardpack/Ice/Man-made snow · Groomed packed powder · Crud and Mixed snow conditions · Powder
|
|
Are you a paid professional skier or snowboarder?:
· Yes
|
|
Are you a sponsored athlete?:
· No
|
|
Professional Snowsports Affiliation: (Shop name/Resort Name/Company/Brand):
· SkiProphet.Com™
Title: · Founder/Owner
Certifications:
· PSIA · USSA Coach · Level II National Avalanche School
Years working in the Snowsports Industry:
· 35
Current City, Province/State and Country of Residence:
· Jackson, Wyoming U.S.A.
|
|
Education Level:
· BA
|
|
Favorite Product Brands:
· All of them!
Major accomplishments:
· I got outta bed this morning! |
2009 Atomic B5i scores 93 out of 100
By: Team Billy Flanagan
The GOOD news:
This is a hero ski for the expert!!!! Hands down, this ski is a “machine” that allows me to make short slalom turns at 15 to 20 mph and high spped G.S. turns at 40 mph on any type of snow, less powder. The amount of energy released at the end of a turn puts me in the air about two inches off the snow. This allows me to throw my feet back acroos the hill for the next turn and thus, every turn is pure power and acceleration. Edge hold is simply amazing. No chatter, no clatter. like skiing on hockey skates. Crud busting is easy, like shooting a Missle through a canvas tent. It slices, dices and you come out the back-side feeling like a hero…
The BAD news:
Atomic, in their infinite and short sighted wisdom has decided to drop the ski from the 2009/10 product line-up. American’s just don’t get it and Atomic should have made a greater effort in educating them to the skis benefit(s). The price is hard to swallow and the skis weight scares many until they actually put it on their feet and feel the energy explosion at the end of a turn. If I could afford them, I’d purchase 5 pair and hold them for the future when my current two pair wear-out.
Check out my detailed rating here:
http://www.rateskigear.com/products/b5i/ratings/24
Flex, Energy, Power and Acceleration 5
Responsiveness in Short Radius Turns 5
Responsiveness in Medium Radius Turns 5
Responsiveness in Long Radius Turns 5
Stability and Control at Slow Speeds 5
Stability and Control at Cruising Speeds 5
Stability and Control at Fast Speeds 5
Performance and Edge Hold on Hardpack/Ice 5
Performance on Groomed Lift Served Packed Powder 5
Performance in Crud/mixed conditions 5
Performance in Powder 3
Performance in Heavy Wet Snow Spring Conditions 4
Performance in Steeps, Chutes, Couloirs, Backcountry 3
Performance in Bumps, Trees NA
Performance in Racing and Competitive Events NA Although I’ve run both Slalom and GS on them and they are very good for a 1.63m (163cm) ski.
Design, Innovation and Graphics 5
Durability and Warranty 5
Value vs. Price Paid 3
Overall Impression 5
Would you buy this product (again)? 5 > NA The ski is not available for 2009/10
TOTAL SCORE = 93/100
I use this Product for Recreation Yes
I use this Product for Work Yes
Site Member: Team Billy Flanagan
|
Discipline:
· Alpine Skiing |
|
Age:
· 50 year old “Wanna-Be”
|
|
Gender:
· Male
|
|
Ability Level:
· Expert
|
|
Years skiing/riding:
· 48
Average days per season:
· 60
|
|
Favorite type of terrain:
· Alpine Lift Served · Gentle, easy runs · Intermediate runs · Intermediate to Advanced runs · Expert runs · Extreme includes Chutes and Couloirs
|
|
Favorite conditions:
· Alpine · Hardpack/Ice/Man-made snow · Groomed packed powder · Crud and Mixed snow conditions · Powder
|
|
Are you a paid professional skier or snowboarder?:
· Yes
|
|
Are you a sponsored athlete?:
· No
|
|
Professional Snowsports Affiliation: (Shop name/Resort Name/Company/Brand):
· SkiProphet.Com™
Title:
· Founder/Owner
Certifications:
· PSIA · USSA Coach · Level II National Avalanche School
Years working in the Snowsports Industry:
· 35
Current City, Province/State and Country of Residence:
· Jackson, Wyoming U.S.A.
|
|
Education Level:
· BA
|
|
Favorite Product Brands:
· All of them!
Major accomplishments:
· I got outta bed this morning! |
The NEW Atomic Race GS “Double Deck” for 2010 scores 95 of 100 points!
That’s good, really good.
This ski is new for the 2009/2010 season. A consumer version of the World Cup Race ski, I performed this ski test at the Snowbasin, Utah On-Snow Demo on 2-3-2009. Perfect test conditions on the perfect mountain.
Likes:
This ski is smooth and full of energy. I ran a slalom course and did some off-trail skiing, (which this ski is NOT designed for) and it performed very well.
On hard snow and at high speeds, the ski held firm and remaind extremely stable. Awesome graphics. A must buy for the skier who likes speed, stability and big carving turns.
Dislikes:
The WORST thing about this ski is that I can’t get my own pair until next Fall!
See the test results in detail here:
http://www.rateskigear.com/products/race-gs-double-deck/ratings/25
Flex, Energy, Power and Acceleration 5
Responsiveness in Short Radius Turns 4
Responsiveness in Medium Radius Turns 4
Responsiveness in Long Radius Turns 5
Stability and Control at Slow Speeds 3
Stability and Control at Cruising Speeds 5
Stability and Control at Fast Speeds 5
Performance and Edge Hold on Hardpack/Ice 5
Performance on Groomed Lift Served Packed Powder 5
Performance in Crud/mixed conditions 4
Performance in Powder NA
Performance in Heavy Wet Snow Spring Conditions NA
Performance in Steeps, Chutes, Couloirs, Backcountry NA
Performance in Bumps, Trees NA
Performance in Racing and Competitive Events 5
Design, Innovation and Graphics 5
Durability and Warranty NA
Value vs. Price Paid NA
Overall Impression 5
Would you buy this product? 5
TOTAL SCORE = 95/100
P.S.
I may be a 50 Year Old “Wanna-Be“, but I still like to let ‘em run!
Site Member: Team Billy Flanagan
|
Discipline: Alpine Skiing
|
|
Age: 50 year old “Wanna-Be”
|
|
Gender: Male
|
|
Ability Level: Expert
|
|
Years skiing/riding: 48
Average days per season: 60
|
|
Favorite type of terrain:
· Alpine Lift Served · Gentle, easy runs · Intermediate runs · Intermediate to Advanced runs · Expert runs · Extreme includes Chutes and Couloirs
|
|
Favorite conditions:
· Hardpack/Ice/Man-made snow · Groomed packed powder · Crud and Mixed snow conditions · Powder
|
|
Are you a paid professional skier or snowboarder?: Yes
|
|
Are you a sponsored athlete?: No
|
|
Professional Snowsports Affiliation: (Shop name/Resort Name/Company/Brand): SkiProphet.Com™
Title: Founder/Owner
Certifications:
· PSIA · USSA Coach · Level II National Avalanche School
Years working in the Snowsports Industry: 35
Current City, Province/State and Country of Residence:
· Jackson, Wyoming U.S.A.
|
|
|
|
Favorite Product Brands:
· All of them!
Major accomplishments:
· I got outta bed this morning! |
