For more years than I care to count, I have made an annual trip to Stratton, Vt., to try out skis for the coming season. Some years the four-hour drive has turned to six due to nasty winter driving. Most years we could count on a day of snow or rain and at least one day of bitter cold. The weather would limit the number of skis tested and alter the results.

Trying one ski on groomed snow and another in soft snow makes it impossible to compare models. This year it was perfect.

The drive both ways was on bare roads. The sun was out from Monday through Thursday, and I tried out more skis in three days than I usually get on in four. Stratton Mountain is ideal to give these skis a test run. A 3,000-foot, six-passenger, high speed, detachable lift carries skiers out of the base area, accessing two or three runs and a terrain park. With the new bindings, swapping skis is quick, and I tried on 18 different models in a single day.

First on the agenda

I started out with Volkls because they bring their retailers into Bromley the day before the big demo at Stratton. That allowed me to get one brand out of the way a day early.

Because my owns skis are the Volkl P60 GC, a GS model, I made my first run on the new version called the Race Tiger and found it to be similar with a little more power than my current skis in the same 178-cm length. The name brought back memories of the old Ren Tiger – the company that made them when we skied traditional-length race skis. It will be a solid ski for advanced skiers comfortable on GS-type skis.

Next up was the slalom, called the Race Tiger SL in a 165. Once again I was taken by how these short slaloms skis can be skied at speed. That a 165 is quick is certainly no surprise. It’s stability when the turns are lengthened is surprising even though I have skied any number of these skis.

The popular Five Star, Six Star and 7-24 have been replaced by the Superspeed and All Star. Skiing both in a 175, I found them similar in performance to the current popular models. Volkl has also introduced the Unlimited series, AC 1,2,3, and 4, which span low intermediate through advanced skiers.

Day 2

On the second day at Stratton, I made one run on the Volkl GS to give myself a point of reference and moved on to the other brands. Through the evolution of shaped skis I have come to the conclusion that most skiers needs could be met with a Giant Slalom ski or a detuned version with the same dimensions. For that reason, I always start on a GS ski with each company and move down through the recreational versions. One company agrees with me or is at least willing to confine its offerings to three models meeting those specs.

Skiers who remember the old Kastle Speed Machine will recognize the name on the new Nordica skis. In a 207 the old model was great as long as speeds were at true GS levels (35-45 mph). What Nordica has done is a lot more user friendly. Beginning with the Speed Machine 16.1 and moving down through the 14.1 and the 12.1, I went from a solid-carving GS to a slightly softer ski with the same characteristics. The 12.1 is softer still and should work for low intermediates in the proper length. I skied all three models in a 178.

According to a rep, the secret is in the interface which extends the length of the sweet spot.

This is happening with all manufacturers. Ski binding combinations and special interfaces are key pieces of the performance puzzle, and there will be few skis offered next season without them.

Getting into the interface details would take an article on each so I will note the skis that work and leave why they work to the engineers.

GS fans will like the Head World Cup i.Race (GS 180 cm) with a more recreational model called the Skicross, i.XRC 1200 for a more forgiving ski.

Atomic’s GS 11 in a 181 was, as expected, a real GS race ski, but the company’s big push will be the Metron models. These skis are wider but carve like race skis that gives them great versatility. K2 has the GS Race which was the longest ski I got on. At 186 cms, this straight side-wall ski had no speed limit.

The slow life

Skiers seeking less speed will go for the Apache Crossfire, a solid All-Mountain that I skied in a 167. It comes as long as 181 and advanced skiers will probably want to try the longer lengths.

From Dynastar comes the familiar GS Course featuring the Autodrive System with Hinge plate, its interface. This was quick and stable in a 180. The all-mountain Contact has the same dimensions and is a versatile, forgiving ski.

Salomon has the GC Equipe Pilot, a smooth tracking carver in a 178 with the GC 9 a step down. Even softer are the Streetracers.

By the time I turned the car east to return to Maine, I skied on nearly 30 pairs of skis, talked with reps about the new lines in boots and skis, and knew that while there are no major changes for next season, the new models are going to please a lot of skiers.

We’ll cover boots and the new ladies’ equipment later, and if all goes as planned, a major cross-country demo will give us the lowdown on that gear as well.

With this past week’s snow that should be a real pleasure.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.