Ridepark publishes full field tests and buying guides updated every season. This page explains how a product moves from the mountain to a Ridepark rating, and how a long-form test differs from a buying guide selection.
The 6 pillars of our field tests
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Real-world conditions
Skis and gear tested on snow, ice, slush or in the rain — not in a showroom. Every long test documents location, date and conditions.
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Alps and Rockies
100+ ski days per year split between the French Alps (Chamrousse, Alpe d'Huez…) and the Canadian Rockies (Castle Mountain). Two snow climates, two approaches to terrain.
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Structured criteria
Each product category has dedicated criteria (handling, grip, comfort…). They feed an overall score out of 5, shown on tests and product cards in buying guides.
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Verifiable data
When relevant: GPX track, Strava link, OpenSkiMap, elevation and speed stats. You know where and under what conditions the test took place.
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Field media
On-snow photos, video and Insta 360 footage when available. The story is as visual as it is technical.
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Independence
No brand is favoured. Affiliate links (Snowleader, Ekosport…) are disclosed; they do not change ratings or buying guide rankings.
Long tests vs buying guides
A long test is a detailed field review of one specific model, with rating, criteria and test environment. A buying guide compares a dozen products for the current year: selection relies on published tests when available, field expertise, and analysis of press tests and market trends. The “How is the equipment selected?” blocks at the top of each guide summarise this process.
Who tests?
Alexis Blondin — CSIA Level 1 ski instructor, former freestyle competitor, former tester for Ski Chrono / Alpes Loisirs. Ridepark tests are written in-house, not outsourced.