The 10th edition of the ski/snow test pro took place in Peyragudes on January 16, 17 and 18. Our two mountain enthusiasts, Justine and JérômeAs part of their involvement in this exciting event, the Peyragudes team had the privilege of taking part as testers, exploring the snowy slopes of Peyragudes while evaluating a wide range of skis, from all-purpose models to high-performance skis. In this article, they share their impressions of the different equipment tested, as well as their experiences on the snowy slopes of this iconic resort!
Key figures :
Held in a picturesque setting and supervised by industry professionals, the event gave skiers the opportunity to discover and test the latest innovations in ski equipment.
Ski/Snow Test Pro Pyrenees 10th edition is :
- 37 national and international brands from the world of winter sports.
- 150 winter sports retailers from all over the South-West (from Brittany to Perpignan), as well as from Andorra and Spain.
- Over 2,000 material tests carried out in 3 days, despite difficult weather conditions.
The favorites of our 2 Riders
SKI SIDE
OCTO - BLACK CROWS (❤️)Black Crows introduces the Octo and Octo Birdie: a fusion of freestyle and slalom!
Black CrowsChamonix's emblematic ski brand, strikes again with the launch of the Octo and Octo Birdie (the women's version) for the 2024/2025 season. Inspired by the success of the famous Mirus Core four years ago, tested and more than approved thanks to its ultimate, precise and playful gliding sensations, these new skis retain the Mirus' slim size with 84 mm at the skate and a 14-meter radius. However, the brand has redesigned the bindings, moving them significantly further back for greater aggressiveness on the slopes. What's more, the flat heel gives these skis an alpine look, adding an extra dimension to their performance. Available respectively in 155, 161, 167 and 173 cm for women, and 167, 173, 179 and 185 cm for men, these new models promise a gliding experience as dynamic as it is precise!
The big news at Faction this year is the consolidated Studio series. The narrow, park-specific skis from Faction have always been called Studio skis. But this year, the ski formerly known as the Mana (or Candide, it's the same ski) is now also included in this designation. Frankly, we love this change. Studios now includes all freestyle skis, with a wide range of runner widths to choose from. The construction of the skis hasn't changed, so if you liked an older Studio or Mana/Candide, you'll love Studio. Just a change of name and incredible graphics.
With the exception of the La Machine series, which is entirely unisex, almost all Faction skis are available in both men's and women's versions. While women's 'X' skis are available in shorter lengths for shorter women skiers, the construction is exactly the same as the non-'X' versions. Choose the right length and go for it!
The Prodigy series is their best-selling series for one simple reason: the skis are just plain fun! The Prodigy 24/25 series features nostalgic graphics on the top sheet, celebrating the electronics of yesteryear, and there's a brand-new Prodigy "Capsule" series to round things out. These skis feature graphics by artist and designer Elsa Grace, honoring three iconic regions of the United States: the American East Coast, the desert Southwest and the iconic forests of the Rockies.
SNOWBOARD SIDE
UNITED SHAPES - HORIZONThe team also tested snowboards from United Shape and the Horizon board! The entry point for freestylers ready to flirt with freeriding! The Horizon's freestyle DNA is sculpted into a twin-directional shape that's as much about exploring the mountain as it is about chaining tricks together in the park. Built with a playful personality and ready to transform any bump, sidehit, rail, transition or freshly groomed piste into a session - the Horizon is one of the most versatile boards on the mountain. With Deep Days inserts offset, the Horizon offers extra buoyancy on those extremely deep powder days, ensuring you don't miss out on nature's champagne!
