This fall, three new 2012-2013 skis from G3 Genuine Guide Gear, manufacturer of industry-leading backcountry ski gear, won five separate media awards from four different ski-focused publications, Skiing, Powder, Freeskier and Backcountry magazines.

With roots deep in backcountry and sidecountry ski culture, G3 has stepped into new terrain in recent years with wider, descent-focused, do-it-all skis such the Empire, Manhattan, District and women’s specific Cake.

The Empire, G3’s newest ski for deep snow and busting through crud, received three awards, an Editor’s Choice Award from Backcountry Magazine, a Skier’s Choice Award in Powder’s Buyer’s Guide and a Tester’s Choice Medal from Skiing Magazine.

Backcountry’s editors wrote, “With 127 mm underfoot, full reverse camber and a titanal aluminum topsheet, the Empire weighs less than similar boards … testers found the Empire to be more of a sidecountry playtoy than a touring machine, and there it excels. One tester concluded simply, ‘Fun, fun, FUN!’” Powder wrote, “A playful and buttery float in powder –perfect for drifting down the mountains of your dreams. Just point ‘em, and go.”

While the Empire led the lineup with the most awards, the newly redesigned Manhattan won an Editor’s Choice Award from Freeskier Magazine. And the new women’s specific Cake received the Tester’s Choice Medal from Skiing Magazine.

In addition to formal media awards, a number of other G3 skis were selected as notable performers in media ski tests. The Manhattan, the District and the Zest received Official Selection Medals from Skiing. And the District and the Cake were highlighted as notable performers in the Backcountry Gear Guide.

“As a brand that’s well known for backcountry and sidecountry skis, we’ve been pushing hard in the past few years to add to our ski collection with the Descent series, do-it-all freeride boards that are equally at home in the ski area, in the sidecountry or in the backcountry and with any kind of binding: alpine, AT or tele,” said Oliver Steffen, founder and president of G3. “We’re psyched to get this kind of validation that we’re on the track we want to be.”

To learn more about G3’s 2012-2013 skis, visit the G3 website: www.GenuineGuideGear.com.

Image courtesy Verde PR/G3