Here is a quick look at our testers and their favorite skis for ’09-’10.

Preston: Aside from his worldwide fame as the finder of Steve Fossett’s wreck, Preston is the ski department manager at Kittredge Sports and leader of the test team. He is the physically strongest tester, and likes to ski steep terrain and moguls. For a big guy, Preston has quick feet, and makes plenty of turns. He is also an experienced backcountry skier and teams up with Wes for plenty of spring tours.
Age: 44
Size: 6’1” 200lbs
Years Testing: 7
2 Ski Quiver: Volkl AC50/ K2 Coomback w/Duke AT binding
Quiver of One: Volkl Mantra w/Duke
Factoid: Preston has a great voice and loves to sing country & rock.

Bryan is a part-time ski department employee at Kittredge, and the best chef in town. He is a quick skier with a light touch and good snow feel. Bryan is always looking for good snow, either in the backcountry, or on Mammoth Mountain.
Age: 40 something
Size: 5’8” 140lbs
Years Testing: 7
2 Ski Quiver: Elan 777/Volkl Gotama
Quiver of One: Volkl Gotama
Factoid: Bryan likes playing paintball.

Tom Cage has been in the ski industry for over 30 years, and is a partner in Kittredge Sports. He has a strong race background, and loves to go fast on the smooth stuff. He is the driving force in our selection of narrow carves skis, but had a great time testing the rockered K2s and Volkls.
Age: won’t tell us
Size: not as tall as Preston, but just as heavy
Years Testing: Who knows?
2 Ski Quiver: Rossi Classic 70/K2 Coomback
Quiver of One: K2 Xplorer
Factoid: Tom is an excellent poker player.

Wes is a part time Kittredge boot fitter and full time Level 3 instructor/trainer at Mammoth Mountain. An avid backcountry skier, he is a junior guide for the Bardindi Foundation (Bardini.org). He prefers natural snow on challenging terrain, and has been known to lap the West Bowl moguls.
Age: 41 but looks 30ish
Size: shorter than Bryan, but heavier (stronger)
Years Testing: 13
2 Ski Quiver: K2 Crossfire/K2 Coomback w/ Baron AT binding
Quiver of One: K2 Backlash w/ Baron
Factoid: Wes writes most of the content on this website.

Brain has been a manager at Kittredge for years, and is our tallest tester. A true powder hound, Brian is the first chair master, and not afraid to be sneaky about it. Besides powder, Brian prefers smooth snow and high speeds.
Age: older than Preston, younger than Tom
Size: 6’4” 210lbs
Years Testing: 5
2 Ski Quiver: Elan 888/Volkl Gotama
Quiver of One: Elan 888
Factoid: Brian is a diehard backpacker who has been all over the Sierra.

Don manages the repair and rental departments at Kittredge. He is a smooth and efficient skier with years of experience in the industry.
Age: Proud grandparent
Size: 5’ 9” 150lbs
Years Testing: Many
2 Ski Quiver: K2 Recon/Rossi S7
Quiver of One: K2 Backlash
Factoid: Don is a fishing guide in the summer.

Cara is a Level 2 instructor and part time boot fitter who grew up skiing a small hill near Syracuse NY. She makes lots of medium to short radius turns and loves to carve.
Age: 40
Size: 5’3” 150lbs
Years Testing: 10
2 Ski Quiver: K2 Extreme/K2 Gotback with Baron AT binding
Quiver of One: Gotback w/Baron
Factoid: Cara loves to bake, and is famous for her ginger cookies.

Heidi Heidi has been a Kittredge employee and tester for a couple years now and also teaches skiing at Main Lodge. She has her PSIA Level 2 certification and is working hard at Level 3. She is the tallest girl on our team, and likes to carve no matter what ski she is on.
Age: 27
Size: 5’8” 130lbs
Years Testing: 2
2 Ski Quiver: Elan RC Race SL/Rossi Voodoo BC110
Quiver of One: Scott Rosa
Factoid: Heidi is also a surfer.

Susan Another level 2 instructor out of Main Lodge, Susan grew up skiing in Canada, and is always up for a new challenge. She is an athletic skier who prefers technique over strength.

Not every ski department employee gets to test skis at Trade Fair, but these guys try out many skis, and the feedback is very valuable to us.

Nick is a full time J4 race coach at Mammoth Mountain, and part time Kittredge boot fitter. He is the strongest most technically proficient skier at the shop. Nick is a fast and powerful skier who wins local races, but loves to get on a pair of fat rockered twins when the speed suit is off.

Ray is the assistant manager at Main Lodge sport shop, but puts in a few evening at Kittredge. He probably sells more skis than anyone in town. Ray was a member of K2’s Freeride B Team, but has since settled down and only hucks 80’ cliffs now. If you visit Mammoth Mountain’s website you will see pictures of Ray tearing it up in his blue jacket, and K2 skis.

Pete has been working in the ski department for five years now, and spends lots of time on the hill. While not as technical as the rest of the crew, Pete gives great feedback from the everyman point of view, and does a great job of keepin’ it real.