2015 Ski Testing at Sugar Bowl (Video)

The Start Haus crew got out on a wide variety of 2015 skis for 2015, getting a feel for the latest and greatest.

After an early season test had to be cancelled due to low snow, Sugar Bowl stepped up to host the event to give ski industry employees the ability to get the hands-on experience we need for next year's skis.

With a crew of five Start Haus testers on the slopes, we were able to put a wide range of skis through the ringer on groomers, in crud and in soft, heavy snow left over from a recent storm.

Highlights from the tester's notes included the Dynastar Cham 117, Blizzard Spur, the new Volkl Mantra, the Stockli Stormrider Pro 115, and the Nordica Nrgy 100 on the men's side, and  on the women's side, the redesigned Nordica Nemesis and Wild Belle, new Volkl Aura and Kenja, and women's Dynastar Cham 87 and 97.

Allison liked the Volkl Aura, saying the new rockered ski excelled equally on groomers and in the heavy soft snow of the day.

Charlie put some serious speed into the limited release Blizzard Spur, praising its stability and power as he charged through the crud. He was also surprised by the Nordica Nrgy 100's versatility in the wide range of conditions.

Greyson liked the new Dynastar Cham 117 and the Volkl Mantra. "The Dynastar Cham was surprisingly versatile and comfortable in every condition, which I didn't expect from a ski that was both so light and so wide." And while some testers worried about the big changes in the new Mantra, namely a fully-rockered profile, he found it to be versatile and energetic both on and off piste.

Stay tuned here and on our Youtube channel for more 2015 ski reviews.