Meet the Testers: Sam Bass

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Name: Sam Bass

Age: 38

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 190 lbs

Home hill: Eldora, CO, and Sugarloaf, ME

Day Job:Skiing editor-in-chief

What makes you qualified to test? I've been thinking critically about the nuances of ski performance, and trying to articulate them, for 30 years. Perhaps more importantly, someone hired me to do it and told me it was part of my job, so I couldn't really say no.

Skiing background: Learned in my backyard and at Maine's Titcomb and Sugarloaf Mountains. Spent grade and high school attempting to become a successful ski racer, and then the years since grade 12 skiing to heal the psychological and financial wounds of that misspent youth.

Favorite type of terrain: Anything fun: from steep and complex to low-angle and cruisey.

Ideal ski: Something versatile: 100ish millimeters underfoot with a turn radius of about 20.

Favorite part of the Skiing mag ski test: That magical moment when a group of ski testers from varied backgrounds reaches consensus about the performance and behavior of a new ski model.

What don't people know about the ski test? It ain't all hot-tubbing and apres. We work very hard to compile a critical mass of data and anecdotal feedback on the new skis we think our readers will be most interested in. Then we translate that information into actionable insights for consumers via the annual Gear Guide and

Why should people trust the Skiing mag ski test? See above. Also, our gear coverage isn't influenced by advertiser interests. Not every ski magazine can say that. Consumers can be assured that they're getting the most objective performance reviews available.

Please translate the following phrase: Hafmeyjunum ekki skíði, þú kjánalegt manneskja! Summertime is no good for skiing.

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