CONNELLY SKI TEST

I hadn’t skied on a slalom ski since I was 12 or 13 years old, nearly three decades ago. But when I got the opportunity to try the Connelly Aspect, I had to give it a shot. The retro-inspired graphics instantly reminded me of the skis my father used and that I learned on as a child.

Sitting on a wider platform than traditional high-end slalom skis, the Aspect is designed to be skied at slower speeds (26 to 32 mph). The increased width helps with stability and getting on plane. While I’ve been wakeboarding and surfing countless times since I last skied, I was expecting the worst in my return to a slalom ski. Shockingly (and thanks to the Aspect’s design), I got up on my first try and was cruising around with relative ease.

The Aspect is a comfortable ride, designed to help you progress as a skier. You can cruise at your leisure without feeling like the ski is hunting to get into the next turn, or you can get aggressive with it and even run it through the slalom course. Sharp bevels in the forebody help lock in those aggressive turns when you get on edge. Connelly’s V-tech step technology on the bottom of the Aspect helps reduce drag, which will keep you on the water longer as well.

If you’re looking for a ski that can accommodate a variety of skill levels, the Aspect will fit on your boat nicely. $330; connelly skis.com