Ski Force Winter Tour coming to a resort near you soon
Scouring the internet for details of the latest ski gear is one thing, but getting the chance to actually test those skis is something else and that's exactly what you can be doing with 2009 Ski Force Winter Tour.
Once again the big names in the ski industry have joined forces to hit the mountain roads with a tour of French ski resorts during their opening weekends. First on the list is Val Thorens, which opens for skiing on the 21st November and the Ski Force tour will be there to help you celebrate on the Saturday and Sunday.
The following weekend the fun moves to Val d'Isere with two days of tests and events on the 28th and 29th November. If you're in the Haute Savoie and fancy a little road trip, the tour then heads to Grand Bornand on the 5th and 6th December, before finishing in Chamrousse the weekend after.
At each stop the major brands will all have stands where you can oggle the 2010 skis and then take them out on the slopes for a test run or two. There will even be ski instructors on hand to give you a few early season tips on how to improve that stance, ride that powder without face-planting and how to avoid other 'You Tube-able incidents'.
There'll also be loads of events and activities based around the test centre and in the evening no doubt there'll be the opportunity for a cheeky aperitif or three, whilst watching the ski films that'll be showing on the big screen.
If you're wondering where the Ski Force Winter Tour will be taking place in each resort it's easy - head to the main snow front and you'll see the forest of tents with shiny new 2010 skis to stroke everywhere (why is it when we see new skis we just want to touch them?). This year expect to see Atomic, Dynastar, Elan, K2, Fisher, Head, Kastle, Movement, Nordica, Rossignol, Roxy, Salomon, Scott and Volkl all in attendance.
Oh and a message from the organisers : don't forget your ski boots and poles!
