The Gear Test Week is a big deal for us. Each Test represents months of emails, phone calls, and shipping labels all rolled into one sleepless stretch of making sure every tester has enough forms, skis, and energy to ride as my planks as possible. At the same time the Test is also a chance for us to get out of the North East and enjoy some direct sunlight and, hopefully, Utah powder. Between filing forms, posting online updates, and doing our duty with the Beermingo we like to let loose if we can. Below are some candid photos from the 2013 Gear Test Week. Enjoy!
![Our Editor-in-Chief. [Photo] Keese Lane](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/2013-backcountry-ski-test-editor-in-chief.jpg "Our Editor-in-Chief. [Photo] Keese Lane")
Our Editor-in-Chief. [Photo] Keese Lane
![Ski drop-off. [Photo] Keese Lane](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/2013-backcountry-ski-test-ski-drop-off.jpg "Ski drop-off. [Photo] Keese Lane")
Ski drop-off. [Photo] Keese Lane
![Some of the skis. [Photo] Keese Lane](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/2013-backcountry-ski-test-some-skis.jpg "Some of the skis. [Photo] Keese Lane")
Some of the skis. [Photo] Keese Lane
![More Boots! [Photo] Keese Lane](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/2013-backcountry-ski-test-more-boots.jpg "More Boots! [Photo] Keese Lane")
More Boots! [Photo] Keese Lane
![Years of experience have made this sign a necessity. [Photo] Keese Lane](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/2013-backcountry-ski-test-sign-with-some-necessary-rules.jpg "Years of experience have made this sign a necessity. [Photo] Keese Lane")
Years of experience have made this sign a necessity. [Photo] Keese Lane
![Ben Ritter finds the goods on Gnarnia. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/12012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-day3-photo1.jpg "Ben Ritter finds the goods on Gnarnia. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
Ben Ritter finds the goods on Gnarnia. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![What fuels testers? Chili cheese fries and a Gamechanger Burger. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/22012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-day3-photo2.jpg "What fuels testers? Chili cheese fries and a Gamechanger Burger. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
What fuels testers? Chili cheese fries and a Gamechanger Burger. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![The crew. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/32012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-day3-photo4.jpg "The crew. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
The crew. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![The cafeteria jalapenos earned an overall score of eight out of 10. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/42012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-day3-photo5.jpg "The cafeteria jalapenos earned an overall score of eight out of 10. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
The cafeteria jalapenos earned an overall score of eight out of 10. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![Jeff Burke lighting it up on the G3 Empire. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/52012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-photo2.jpg "Jeff Burke lighting it up on the G3 Empire. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
Jeff Burke lighting it up on the G3 Empire. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![Bottoms up at the Shooting Star Saloon, Utah's oldest bar. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/62012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-photo5.jpg "Bottoms up at the Shooting Star Saloon, Utah's oldest bar. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
Bottoms up at the Shooting Star Saloon, Utah's oldest bar. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![The sea of AT and telemark boots at Powder Mountain' Hidden Lake Lodge. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/72012-13-backcountry-gear-test-at-and-telemark-boots.jpg "The sea of AT and telemark boots at Powder Mountain' Hidden Lake Lodge. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
The sea of AT and telemark boots at Powder Mountain' Hidden Lake Lodge. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![Freshman tester Henry Yu sniffing out a stash at Pow Mow. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/82012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-henry-yu-at-powder-mountain.jpg "Freshman tester Henry Yu sniffing out a stash at Pow Mow. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
Freshman tester Henry Yu sniffing out a stash at Pow Mow. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![Yes. Those are Doritos. [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/92012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-day4-photo3.jpg "Yes. Those are Doritos. [Photo] Simon Peterson")
Yes. Those are Doritos. [Photo] Simon Peterson
![No Comment [Photo] No Comment](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/2013-backcountry-ski-test-no-comment.jpg "No Comment [Photo] No Comment")
No Comment [Photo] No Comment
![A completed ski test! [Photo] Keese Lane](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/2013-backcountry-ski-test-completed-tester-forms.jpg "A completed ski test! [Photo] Keese Lane")
A completed ski test! [Photo] Keese Lane
![The End [Photo] Simon Peterson](http://www.backcountrymagazine.com//images/stories/2013-editors-choice/test-photos/92012-13-backcountry-gear-tester-at-powder-mountain-day5-photo3.jpg "The End [Photo] Simon Peterson")
The End [Photo] Simon Peterson