Meet the Testers 2016

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Test Team 2016 – Men   *   Test Team 2016 – Women

With the tape used to mask the topsheets gone, we can reveal our testers’ favourite skis in each category (as well as their sponsors). It’s time to match your own height, weight, style and so on with our Ski Canada Testers to see which skis might be worth a personal demo from your favourite shop this season. Go to SkiFinder to make your search for new skis easier.
Testers M 350

KRISTIAN ARMSTRONG

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Blizzard, Stöckli, Head/Salomon (tie)

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Ogasaka, Salomon, Nordica

 ›TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Salomon, Nordica, Head

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Salomon, Ogasaka, Stockli

Ski sponsor: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age:  6’1″, 185 lbs, 37

Style: Fast&furious; CSIA IV, CSCF II, Level III Examiner

Started at: Snow Valley, ON

Home resort: Big White

 

JEREMY BADCOCK

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Völkl, Atomic, Nordica

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Kastle, Atomic, Ogasaka

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Atomic, Salomon, Volkl

Ski sponsor: Rossignol

Ht, Wt, Age: 6′, 180 lbs, 28

Style: Powerful, aggressive; CSIA IV, CSCF II

Started at: Southampton, UK

Home resort: Marmot Basin

 

KELLY BLUNDEN

 ›TOP 3 Expert All-Mt: Kästle, Head/Völkl

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Head, Blizzard, Nordica

 ›TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Elan/Head (tie), Blizzard/Volkl (tie)

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Volkl, Head, K2/Blizzard

Personal ski: Rossignol

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’11”, 190 lbs, 53

Style: All-mt carver; CSIA IV, CSCF III

Started at: Snow Valley SC, AB

Home resort: Whistler

 

JEREMIE BOITEAU

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Atomic, Head, Volkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain:Blizzard, Salomon, Stockli

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Nordica, Head, Volkl

Ski sponsor: Rossignol

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’9″, 160 lbs, 40

Style: Big-mt, technical, playful; CSIA III, CSCF I, Course Conductor I

Started at: Stoneham, QC

Home resort: Fernie

  

CHRIS CANDOW

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Head, K2/Völkl

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Nordica/Völkl, Blizzard/Line

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Nordica/Salomon, Volkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Elan/Head, Volkl

Ski sponsor: Head

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’11”, 230 lbs, 53

Style: Technical, smooth; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Labrador City, NL

Home resort: Mont-Ste-Marie, QC

  

PAUL CUNNIUS

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: K2, Völkl, Head/Nordica

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Völkl, K2/Stöckli

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Stockli, K2, Volkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: K2, Line, Head

Ski sponsor: K2

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’8″, 185 lbs, 49

Style: Fast, expert; CSIA IV Examiner, CSCF II

Started at: Glen Mt, QC

Home resort: Mt Norquay

 

MIKE DEMPSEY

 ›TOP 3  SLALOM: Völkl, Salomon, Blizzard/Head/Ogasaka/Stöckli

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Blizzard/Elan, Head

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Ogasaka/Salomon, Blizzard/Nordica

Personal ski: Rossignol

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’10”, 195 lbs, 57

Style: Smooth carver; CSIA IV, CSCF II

Started at: Mont Rigaud, QC

Home resort: Blackcomb

  

PETER EATON

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Volkl, Nordica, Salomon

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Nordica, K2, Blizzard

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Nordica/Ogasaka, Kastle

Personal ski: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age: 6′, 155 lbs, 49

Style: Athletic; CSIA III, CSCF I

Started at: Lake Louise

Home resort: Fernie

 

DAVE GOLLOGLY

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: Völkl, Stöckli, Kästle

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Völkl, Nordica, Kästle

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Volkl, Stockli, Nordica

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Blizzard, Nordica

Ski sponsor: Völkl

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’8″, 160 lbs, 34

Style: Freeride, smooth; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Ontario, Quebec

Home resort: Castle Mountain

  

ERIN KEAM

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: Blizzard, Stöckli, Völkl

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Völkl, Salomon, Kästle

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Volkl, Salomon, Nordica

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Line, Head, Salomon

Personal ski: Salomon

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’9″, 197 lbs, 46

Style: Off-road steamroller;
CSIA IV, CSCF II

Started at: Mt Washington

Home resort: Whistler

  

MARC LEDOUX

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: Blizzard/Völkl, Stöckli

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Blizzard, Nordica, Atomic/Kastle

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Blizzard, Nordica, Atomic

Personal ski: Blizzard

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’6″, 140 lbs, 41

Style: Technical, big-mt; CSP,
CAA II, CSIA II

Started at: Gray Rocks, QC

Home resort: Fernie

  

IAN MARCH

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Völkl, Kästle, Nordica

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Völkl, Elan/Nordica

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Blizzard, Head

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Nordica, Volkl, Atomic/Kastle

Ski sponsor: Völkl

Ht, Wt, Age: 6′, 175 lbs, 51

Style: Technical, aggressive;
CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Craigleith, ON

Home resort: Whistler

  

CHRISTOPHER NICOLSON

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Nordica, Kästle, Atomic

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Blizzard/Völkl, Atomic/Elan/Head/Salomon

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Atomic, Stockli, Nordica

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Atomic, Stockli, Nordica

Personal skis: Elan, Black Diamond, Völkl

Ht, Wt, Age: 6’1″, 200 lbs, 46

Style: Technical/finesse; CSIA III, CSCF II, Nordic I, Tele I

Started at: Kemano Ski Club, BC

Home resort: Sun Peaks

  

GUY PAULSEN

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Elan/Line, Head/Kästle/Völkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Head, K2, Ogasaka

Ski sponsor: Rossignol, Attridge Ski&Board

Ht, Wt, Age: 6’1″, 195 lbs, 50

Style: Athletic; CSIA IV, CSCF II

Started at: Manning Park

Home resort: Silver Star

  

RODGER POOLE

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Nordica, Line, Salomon

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Nordica, Völkl, Blizzard

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Blizzard, Elan, Head

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Volkl, Nordica, Blizzard

Ski sponsor: Blizzard/Tecnica

Ht, Wt, Age: 6′, 185 lbs, 34

Style: Fast&fun; CSIA IV, CSCF Dev Cert

Started at: Ontario

Home resort: Silver Star

  

D’ARCY SEGO

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: K2, Kästle, Head/Völkl

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Ogasaka/Salomon, Völkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Line, K2/Nordica

Ski sponsor: K2

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’8″, 180 lbs, 41

Style: Technical, freeskier; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Table Mt, SASK

Home resort: Mt Washington

  

MARK STEIN

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: Head, Salomon, Line

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Blizzard, Head/Völkl

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Head, Atomic, Blizzard/Nordica

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Head, Atomic, Blizzard

Ski sponsor: Head

Ht, Wt, Age: 6’3″, 205 lbs, 55

Style: Expert, racer; CSIA II, CSCF III

Started at: Edmonton SC

Home resort: Marmot Basin

  

FRITZ STEPHENSON

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Salomon, Head, Blizzard/Nordica

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Völkl, Line, Blizzard

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Ogasaka, Blizzard, Stockli

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Nordica, Volkl, Salomon

Personal ski: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’8″, 168 lbs, 43

Style: Aggressive, technical; CSIA III, ÖSSV Level IV

Started at: Zell am See, Austria

Home resort: Sun Peaks

  

JOHN STOREY

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: K2/Nordica, Elan

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Head, Ogasaka, Atomic/Kastle

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Line, Stockli

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Atomic/Salomon, Stockli

Personal ski: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’4″, 170 lbs, 51

Style: Finesse, smooth; CSIA I, CSCF I

Started at: Smiggin Holes, Australia

Home resort: Silver Star

  

GEORGE TERWIEL

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: Head, Stöckli, Völkl

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Atomic/Blizzard/Nordica/Völkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Nordica, Head/Kastle

 ›TOP 3  SLALOM: Völkl, Blizzard/Head

Ski sponsor: Head

Ht, Wt, Age: 6′, 185 lbs, 52

Style: Technical, power; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Grouse Mt, BC

Home resort: Sun Peaks

 

JUSTIN TERWIEL

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: K2, Head, Ogasaka

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Nordica, Kästle/Line

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers:Stockli/Volkl, Head

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Salomon, Nordica/Ogasaka/Volkl

Personal ski: Head

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’7″, 135 lbs, 29

Style: Athletic; CSIA I, CSCF II

Started at: Grouse Mt, BC

Home resort: Sun Peaks

Test Team 2016 – Women

Testers W 350

 

WENDY ANDERSON

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Nordica, Völkl, Atomic

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: K2/Ogasaka, Stockli

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Nordica, Line, Elan

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Ogasaka, Nordica, Blizzard

Personal ski: K2

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’2″, 115 lbs, 41

Style: Technical, expert; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Minnesota

Home resort: Fernie

 

DONIE BLUNDEN

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Atomic/Salomon (tie), Nordica

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Elan, Salomon, Kastle

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Elan, Salomon, Blizzard

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Atomic, Kastle/Nordica/Salomon

Ski sponsor: Rossignol

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’3″, 110 lbs, 53

Style: Finesse, technical; CSIA IV, CSCF II

Started at: Chicopee, ON

Home resort: Whistler

 

KATHY BRODERICK

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Völkl, Nordica/Salomon

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Volkl,Ogasaka/Salomon

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Elan, Atomic/Blizzard, Salomon

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Volkl, Nordica, Kastle

Ski sponsor: Völkl (Olympia Ski & Cycle)

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’3″, 130 lbs, 52

Style: Cathartic; CSIA IV

Started at: Glenn Mt, QC

Home resort: Silver Star

 

GILLIAN BROWNING

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Völkl, Nordica, Atomic/Kästle

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Blizzard/Völkl, Atomic

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Salomon/Volkl, Nordica/Ogasaka

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Atomic, Stockli

Personal ski: Völkl

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’8″, 130 lbs, 53

Style: Playful; CSIA III, Course Conductor I, CSCF I

Started at: Field, BC

Home resort: Silver Star

  

VALERIE CAHILL

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Blizzard, Head, Kästle

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Nordica, Volkl, Ogasaka

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Atomic, Stockli, Ogasaka

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Nordica, Blizzard, Kastle

Ski sponsor: K2

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’1″, 122 lbs, 42

Style: Technical, finesse; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Glen Eden, ON

Home resort: Mt St Louis Moonstone, ON

  

BRITTA GRETZMACHER

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Blizzard, Atomic, Salomon

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Stockli, Head, Kastle/Nordica/Salomon

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Atomic, Blizzard/Kastle

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Elan/Salomon, Head

Personal ski: Blizzard

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’9″, 143, 53

Style: Graceful, speedy; CSIA II, CSCF I, CADS II

Started at: Saalbach, Austria

Home resort: Silver Star

  

NINA GRETZMACHER

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Kästle, Völkl, Stöckli

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Nordica, Blizzard, Völkl

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Blizzard, Nordica/Völkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Nordica, Kastle, Ogasaka

Ski sponsor: Blizzard

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’7″, 135, 24

Style: Aggressive; CSIA III,
CSCF II, CADS I

Started at: Big White

Home resort: Silver Star

  

SANDRA HAZIZA

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Völkl, Head, K2

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Atomic, Volkl, Stockli

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Stockli, Atomic

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Head/Stockli, Salomon

Personal ski: Head

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’4″, 125, 44

Style: Sassy & fun; CSIA II

Started at: Grouse/Whistler

Home resort: Whistler

 

SHELLEY JOHNSTON

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: Völkl, Nordica, Stöckli

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Atomic, Salomon, K2

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Völkl, Nordica, Blizzard

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Nordica, Line

Ski sponsor: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’6″, 155 lbs, 35

Style: Racer; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Ontario

Home resort: Craigleith, ON

  

KATIE JOYCE

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Völkl, K2, Blizzard

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Atomic, Blizzard, Head

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Head, Blizzard/Völkl

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Nordica/Ogasaka

Personal ski: Nordica

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’7″, 135 lbs, 35

Style: Off-piste, race; CSIA III, CSCF II

Started at: Mt Pakenham, ON

Home resort: Fernie

  

BARB KUPFERSCHMIDT

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Stöckli, Völkl, Blizzard

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Atomic, Blizzard, Völkl

 ›TOP 3  SLALOM: Blizzard/Völkl, Nordica/Salomon

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Volkl, Stockli, Blizzard

Personal ski: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’6″, 145 lbs, 47

Style: Power, technical, sneaky fast; CSIA III, CSCF I

Started at: Hidden Valley, ON

Home resort: Sun Peaks

  

WENDY LUMBY

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Head, K2/Kästle

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Head/Nordica/Ogasaka

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Ogasaka, Blizzard, Line/Nordica

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Nordica, Ogasaka, Atomic

Ski sponsor: Nordica

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’1″, 120 lbs, 48

Style: Zena-Princess Warrior; CSIA II, CSCF III, Course facilitator, Olympian

Started at: Happy Valley, AB

Home resort: Nakiska

  

HEATHER ROBILLIARD

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Atomic/Blizzard, Völkl

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Atomic/Ogasaka/Salomon

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Stockli, Nordica, Blizzard/Ogasaka/Salomon

 ›TOP 3 Easy Cruisers: Salomon, Atomic, Stockli

Personal ski: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’3″, 141 lbs, 58

Style: Finesse, technical, athletic; APSI IV, CSCF II

Started at: Perisher Valley, Australia

Home resort: Silver Star

  

JILL SAGAN

 ›TOP 3  BIG MT: Blizzard/Nordica, K2

 ›TOP 3  Expert All-Mt: Kästle, Line, Nordica

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Blizzard/Ogasaka, Head

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Elan, Kastle, Blizzard

Sponsor: Dynastar

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’9″, 135 lbs, 38

Style: Smooth/aggressive;
CSIA IV, CSCF II

Started at: Fortress/Louise

Home resort: Silver Star

 

ANNE TERWIEL

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Atomic/Head, Blizzard/Kästle

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Head, K2/Kästle

 ›TOP 3  Slalom: Head, Nordica, Blizzard

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Kastle, Line, Atomic

Ski sponsor: Head

Ht, Wt, Age: 5’9″, 135 lbs, 51

Style: Expert, athletic; CSIA IV, CSCF III

Started at: Caledon/Horseshoe, ON

Home resort: Sun Peaks

 

ALLY WAGORN

 ›TOP 3  Big Mt: Blizzard, Nordica, Stöckli

 ›TOP 3  EXPERT ALL-MT: Blizzard, Nordica, Head

>TOP 3 On-Piste Cruisers: Kastle, Head, Blizzard/Nordica

>TOP 3 Adventure All Mountain: Blizzard, Nordica, Ogasaka

Ski sponsor: Blizzard

Ht, Wt, Age: 5′, 100 lbs, 26

Style: Pocket rocket; CSIA III, CSCF I

Started at: Mt Pakenham, ON

Home resort: Sun Peaks

 

Ski Canada Staff
To top