Ramp Skis Pass the Test

Being a snow sports writer for about a dozen years has given me the opportunity to test a lot of equipment. 

I've done a lot of  goggles, pants, jackets, socks, gloves and helmets over the years. I've slung my skis on carrying devices and gone into weather simulators. I've crashed something called a ''Freestyle Mini-Luge'' into a lodge during happy hour.

But it's generally understood that I am a pain in the neck when it comes to testing skis.

I am told it is because of my size — 6-foot 3, 245 pounds — leg strength and athletic skiing style. I generally can't use a huge sidecut and need a stiffer ski to not only get the performance, but to survive on the hill.  

This season, I tested skis from a new company called Ramp Sports and one model in particular really delivered. 

Ramp is a perfect fit for me. The company tries to enhance performance and usability for the size and strength of each skier and rider by developing specific flexes and characteristics for each size ski and snowboard. Ramp has also introduced a new sidecut concept called Razor Cut. Ramp says the new shape drastically increases edge grip on skis, and that could not be more accurate. From the midpoint of the boot-back, the sidecut is straighter where you need cutting power and then becomes curved again for turn shape. The unique shape is designed to make even Ramp's widest skis excellent on hard snow.

Enter Ramp's Woodpecker ski.

The test took place over a weekend at Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont in varying conditions. The first part of the first day was clear, fast and groomed but then the weather turned snowy and it wound up being a powder day.

The second day featured thick, wet snow.

And the ski performed well in all of the above.

I took out the 189cm skis out, the largest length Ramp makes for the model. They are 12 cm longer than the twin tips is usually ski on and they look like a big ski with a 123-90-111mm makeup.

Ninety under the foot seems like a lot for the East, but throw that theory out the window. Yes, the Woodpeckers are fat, but they cruise well and turn like a sports car not only on powder, but on the hard pack as well. The agility of the skis is eye-opening.

They turn when you ask them to, not the other way around, a refreshing thing for the larger skier.

The Woodpeckers are easily the best new skis I have been on in the past eight  years — and the most fun.

The Woodpeckers retail for $875, but the "street price" currently listed on the website is $699.

Ramp has also adopted a direct-to-consumer sales system and a program in which the everyday skier can get involved in the company.