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PLANETSKI AT THE GLENSHEE SKI TESTS

They were supposed to take place in Italy & we were poised in the Aosta Valley. Worries about the coronavirus led people to pull out, but that didn’t stop PlanetSKI covering the tests.

The biggest UK industry ski test was due to be held at Pila in Northern Italy this week.

However amidst concerns about the coronavirus the major manufacturers and brands pulled out at the last minute.

See here for PlanetSKI’s report from Northern Italy on the coronavirus with mention of the cancellation:

Coronavirus impact on skiing

So, when it became apparent that other brands and buyers weren’t going to show, a Plan B started to formulate.

Tord Nilson from Atomic and Lee Hardy from Braemar Mountain Sports decided to take advantage of the great ski conditions in Scotland just now.

They approached Glenshee about setting up an alternative ski test on home snow, alleviating the travel worries in the process.

Everyone got on board and Tuesday saw more than 15 of the top ski brands set up at Glenshee.

Perfect conditions

Some overnight snow was gradually getting tracked out by the testers as well as loads of grippy corduroy under blue skies and sunshine.

I tried the new Atomic Vantages.

Ski Tests at Glenshee. Image © Rod Frazer.

Ski Tests at Glenshee. Image © Rod Frazer.

And admired the Scottish scenery at Glenshee in the process.

Ski Tests at Glenshee

Ski Tests at Glenshee. Image © Rod Frazer.

Ski Tests at Glenshee

Ski Tests at Glenshee. Image © Rod Frazer.

The fickle Scottish weather gods were really playing ball.

Lee Hardy commented that as well as many of the industry’s main UK buyers turning up for the test, lots of retail staff and ski techs that wouldn’t have had the chance to travel to Italy were able to make it to Glenshee.

Ski tests at Glenshee. Image © Rod Frazer.

Ski Tests at Glenshee

Ski Tests at Glenshee. Image © Rod Frazer.

Likewise some of the smaller retailers not expected at the official SIGB event have come here.

Ski Tests at Glenshee

Ski Tests at Glenshee. Image © Rod Frazer.

There’s even some Scottish skiing royalty here.

Ex-World Cup Downhill star Finlay Mickel was on the Atomic stand.

And unsurprisingly ripping up the hill too.

Tord, Yours Truly & Finlay

Tord, Yours Truly & Finlay. Image © Rod Frazer.

The event is on for three days and is producing a very welcome boost to the local economy.

Especially vital as local accommodation providers and shops told us that the first half of the season has been tough with warmer than usual temperatures.

However conditions at the moment are superb across all five Scottish ski areas.

I reported on them recently for PlanetSKI:

Best skiing of the season in Scotland

Do check my next article when I will tell you which skis caught my eye for next season…