What's Blizzard up to?

[Westcoaster]

Seconded. I'm a Blizzard guy, and own all the Rustlers plus all the Zero G's (plus some Bonafides and Bodacious) . . . and no Hustles.

Ive said it in the past, but a 1900g or even 2000g hustle 11 would be good. A ton of the tahoe guides/pros (who i assume have sponsorship from blizz), ski the h11s, and i assume guiding slow af clients with heavy skis is not tiring, but a *slight* weight reduction from the rustler seems reasonable. Have yet to hear any rationale for the current state of affairs with the hustle series from blizz.

[XavierD]

1800 is a totally reasonable goal for an updated 186 Hustler 11 in the current Rustler mold. 1700 would make it extreme attractive. Hustle 10/9 can continue to serve as wimpy Rustlers for People who can’t ski strong and want to do other things good too.

[gregL]

1800 is a totally reasonable goal for an updated 186 Hustler 11 in the current Rustler mold. 1700 would make it extreme attractive. Hustle 10/9 can continue to serve as wimpy Rustlers for People who can’t ski strong and want to do other things good too.

Hustle isn't even in the '24-'25 catalog. Same with the Nordica Unlimited Series.

[Westcoaster]

Hustle isn't even in the '24-'25 catalog. Same with the Nordica Unlimited Series.

Tbf there are a ton of people skiing hustles and unlimited nordicas in bounds, at least in CA. Seems like a miss by blizztech.

[gregL]

Tbf there are a ton of people skiing hustles and unlimited nordicas in bounds, at least in CA. Seems like a miss by blizztech.

They told the shop person they wanted the "option" to tour, but haven't purchased the skins yet. And they're wondering why their Shift toepieces rattle up and down. At our shop the stack of Hustles (all three) is still about full; the rack of Rustlers is empty and they weren't even on sale.

[Gweilo]

Talking abt options to tour and shop guys not paying too much attention I just thought I’d double down on the last Zero Gs (thank you Greg) and the extra pair I got from them had the carbon drive missing on one ski when I took them off the plastic wrapping[emoji2371]




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[Westcoaster]

They told the shop person they wanted the "option" to tour, but haven't purchased the skins yet. And they're wondering why their Shift toepieces rattle up and down. At our shop the stack of Hustles (all three) is still about full; the rack of Rustlers is empty and they weren't even on sale.

Fair point. The skis I see aren't even mounted with the shifts, maybe people are just getting overstock pushed on em at shops.

[gregL]

Talking abt options to tour and shop guys not paying too much attention I just thought I’d double down on the last Zero Gs (thank you Greg) and the extra pair I got from them had the carbon drive missing on one ski when I took them off the plastic wrapping[emoji2371]

Looks like someone had a few beers before the afternoon shift.

[kid-kapow]

Looks like someone had a few beers before the afternoon shift.

and during

[Gweilo]

I have been ski touring a lot this winter on Zero Gs 105 and I was so impressed by the new construction of the ski that I bought a second pair to double it - although I found the build quality very strong. It is now back from CS (carbon drive was missing on one ski [emoji23]) and I am considering mounting some inserts to shift bindings (ATK FR15 evo). Any thoughts or recommendations about this ? Thank you [emoji1317]


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[gregL]

I have been ski touring a lot this winter on Zero Gs 105 and I was so impressed by the new construction of the ski that I bought a second pair to double it - although I found the build quality very strong. It is now back from CS (carbon drive was missing on one ski [emoji23]) and I am considering mounting some inserts to shift bindings (ATK FR15 evo). Any thoughts or recommendations about this ? Thank you

Why inserts? What binding other than the FR15 Evo would you want on there?

[Gweilo]

Why inserts? What binding other than the FR15 Evo would you want on there?

I’d like to have two pairs so I can switch skis if needed (approaches are way more rocky with warmer winters here). Thought inserts could spare me a second set of bindings, just moving them from one ski to another when needed


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[gregL]

I’d like to have two pairs so I can switch skis if needed (approaches are way more rocky with warmer winters here). Thought inserts could spare me a second set of bindings, just moving them from one ski to another when needed

The reality of inserts is that it's enough of a hassle that you end up not swapping bindings about 95% of the time. I would just buy 2 sets of bindings, prices aren't that bad in Europe.

[Gweilo]

The reality of inserts is that it's enough of a hassle that you end up not swapping bindings about 95% of the time. I would just buy 2 sets of bindings, prices aren't that bad in Europe.

Yeah I was actually thinking abt that too…


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[SnakeMagnet]

Demo'd the Blizzard "Stance" 102, because that's a very apt description of their character and profile now; see below. Contrasting a gen1 M102 they are more planted and have that bonafide quietness and edge hold, but one dimensional; one type of carved turn is what it wants to do, and harder to release the tails than their rocker suggests. An evolution, easier to tame than a Bone without losing much top-end.

So yeah, a beefier, better Stance 102.

[gregL]

Demo'd the Blizzard "Stance" 102, because that's a very apt description of their character and profile now; see below. Contrasting a gen1 M102 they are more planted and have that bonafide quietness and edge hold, but one dimensional; one type of carved turn is what it wants to do, and harder to release the tails than their rocker suggests. An evolution, easier to tame than a Bone without losing much top-end.

I've got about 10 days on the Anomaly 102, and am impressed by it. As a confirmed Bonafide 97 fan (but not really a Cochise 106 guy), I think this is a good compromise of waist widths and should be a good choice for any snow under about 10 inches deep. The Anomaly 102 doesn't quite have the Bonafide's absolute quiet confidence at the top end, or the silky smooth manners on chattery firm snow, but it makes up for it with a more precise feel on edge and more life coming out of the turn. No, it doesn't release at the tail to change turn radius, but it does "pivot" underfoot when unweighted (top of a bump) much like the Rustlers.

The Stance 102 analogy is pretty apt; I like that ski as well but the rocker line at the tip is too long . . .

[Gweilo]

I've got about 10 days on the Anomaly 102, and am impressed by it. As a confirmed Bonafide 97 fan (but not really a Cochise 106 guy), I think this is a good compromise of waist widths and should be a good choice for any snow under about 10 inches deep. The Anomaly 102 doesn't quite have the Bonafide's absolute quiet confidence at the top end, or the silky smooth manners on chattery firm snow, but it makes up for it with a more precise feel on edge and more life coming out of the turn. No, it doesn't release at the tail to change turn radius, but it does "pivot" underfoot when unweighted (top of a bump) much like the Rustlers.

The Stance 102 analogy is pretty apt; I like that ski as well but the rocker line at the tip is too long . . .

Compared to the new R10 ? I have spent quite a few days on it now and it really feels like the livelier R11 I was hoping for when I bought the first gen. Really happy with it (talking abt the 190+ lengths)


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[tupp_]

All these comments vs. the stance - is this vs. the new (softer/lighter) stance or the OG heavier/stiffer stance? Mind elaborating on the stability, groomer/on edge performance, preferred skiing stance?

[gregL]

Compared to the new R10 ? I have spent quite a few days on it now and it really feels like the livelier R11 I was hoping for when I bought the first gen. Really happy with it (talking abt the 190+ lengths)

If it snows next season, I'll still spend more time on the Rustler 10 . . . but I'll have the Anomaly 102 as my "hasn't snowed in a week" backup. I'm not that big and ski the 186, on the 182 Anomaly 102.

[kid-kapow]

I just took delivery of a pair of 186 R11s. They weigh within a couple of grams of each other - at roughly 2100gr a ski. Incredibly impressive QA.

[SchralphMacchio]

I just took delivery of a pair of 186 R11s. They weigh within a couple of grams of each other - at roughly 2100gr a ski. Incredibly impressive QA.

Awesome! Will love to hear your compare/contrast to Jeff 108/110/118s!

[kid-kapow]

Awesome! Will love to hear your compare/contrast to Jeff 108/110/118s!

I actually don't plan to ski them, they will be a catch and release as the plan has changed since I ordered them. The plan was to run them with tech binders for a charging if still very playful big line setup, but I have since decided that my current crop of BMTs are more than up to the task.

There is also no chance in hell that they'll outperform my current resort setup in this segment - Rossi Sender Free 110s and BlackOps118. Both are freaking magical. So catch and release it is.

Still - felt like complimenting their build quality which is very, very good

[stuntmanbo]

Received mine also (R11 24 186). I ordered them as a lighter version of the Blade Optic 114, they are 2080g, will be mounted with ATK R12 for sidecountry.

[kid-kapow]

well... In a not so surprising turn of events:


They have ATK R12s with Freeride Spacers mounted at +1.

I only skied em for three runs in very variable spring snow (everything from soft groomers through slush to super sticky sunbaked hot pow). I have a ton of time on the previous version (if in the 180 length), so I kinda feel like I do not really need more to size them up. They ski like R11s - so awesomely. The tails release really easily, they are strong on edge for what they are and cater to whatever turning style you prefer. They feel a lot like a slightly lighter (lower swing weight mainly), slightly more traditional (mount point) version of Sender Free 110s. In short - excellent ski. Where R9s did not do it for me these most assuredly did.

They would be a very strong contender for a slightly wider daily driver if I did not already own and absolutely love Rossi Sender Free 110s. I would run one pair with Cast and one pair with tech bindings if so.

I will 100% recommend them to those who are in the market for a slightly lighter, but still strong freeride ski that is also quite loose and playful.

[Gweilo]

Off to Tignes for the closing of the season. Sunny weekend ahead with 15+ degrees Celsius so it’s more about apres and bbqs…
Still what skis would you bring ? Firebirds for early morning rounds on groomers and R10 when it gets slushy or Brahmas to do it all ?


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