Ski Development & Ski Testing with AJ Kruajitch & Jake Stevens (Ep.202)

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Few people spend as many days as we do testing skis on snow. But Rossignol’s AJ Kruajytch definitely does. So on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast, Jonathan Ellsworth spent a day at Les Deux Alpes going through AJ’s testing process, then talking with him and Jake Stevens about the similarities and differences in our approaches.
AJ & Jake at Les Deux Alpes
Few people spend as many days as we do testing skis on snow. But Rossignol’s AJ Kruajytch definitely does. So on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast, Jonathan Ellsworth spent a day at Les Deux Alpes going through AJ’s testing process, then talking with him and Jake Stevens about the similarities and differences in our approaches.
Jonathan & AJ at Les Deux Alpes
Few people spend as many days as we do testing skis on snow. But Rossignol’s AJ Kruajytch definitely does. So on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast, Jonathan Ellsworth spent a day at Les Deux Alpes going through AJ’s testing process, then talking with him and Jake Stevens about the similarities and differences in our approaches.
AJ at Les Deux Alpes

Blister Outdoor Gear review Crested Butte

Few people spend as many days as we do testing skis on snow. But Rossignol’s AJ Kruajitch definitely does. So I spent a day at Les Deux Alpes going through AJ’s testing process, and then sat down with him and Jake Stevens to discuss the similarities and differences in our approaches.

TOPICS & TIMES:

  • Introducing Jake & AJ (2:51)
  • Brand development since 1907 (17:13)
  • The testing process: similarities & differences (20:17)
  • “Band of Tasters” (40:10)
  • Accounting for different tastes (48:05)
  • What We’re Celebrating (56:10)

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2 comments on “Ski Development & Ski Testing with AJ Kruajitch & Jake Stevens (Ep.202)”

  1. Very interesting podcast on how Rosi’s are developed. Would love to ask them how binding mount point is settled on “ie. the mfg boot mid-sole line”

  2. Two questions for AJ, but I suspect Jonathan can answer them here, because he participated in AJ’s tests.

    AJ said, “The goal first is to find the right balance.” He emphasized “balance” 6 times in the podcast, and Jonathan mentioned it 4 times.

    QUESTION 1: What does AJ mean by the “right balance” of a ski?
    Does he mean fore/aft balance? Or maybe balance between many on-snow performance metrics? Or maybe balance between all the precise goals written in the design brief? Or what?

    Whatever it is, AJ said he evaluates “balance” by testing only 3-4 turns on ice…

    Next, I believe AJ didn’t mention “speed” in the podcast.

    QUESTION 2: Does AJ perform his on-snow tests at only one speed?
    Considering that these tests are only 3-4 turns, is AJ testing only at medium speed every time? Or only at high speed? Only slow speed? Or at all 3 speeds for each ski? Or only at the one speed that is most appropriate for the given ski design & target customer? Or what?

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