What's Blizzard up to?

[Westcoaster]

I’ve tried to get rid of mine a few times and I just can’t. It shouldn’t fit in my quiver and be a ski I like, it’s nothing like the cherry tip Kastle MX98, Kastle ZX108, or Shiro, but its just so much fun and so dead easy to ski. If I was skiing more, on a second tough winter in a row for getting days in (fuck work), so I’m not putting the time in on the hill, but every time I do I don’t regret grabbing thr 188 R9 no matter if it’s in North or South Lake Tahoe, Summit County, Jackson, VT, or Holiday Valley. I have 4 or 5 family members skiing them now because I have raved about them so much.


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Yup. It's my ski with the wifey ski, and it's not the most stable nor the most playful, but it doesn't really fold up on me even when I expect it to, and is always a good time. Mine has mostly lost it's camber, which I don't hate.

I'll most likely pick up new rustlers down the line, and am happy they didn't lose their character.

[klauss]

My kids skied the 160 Cochise Team and loved it! Great ski for growing rippers. Unfortunately my kids are all too big now. I suspect your girl will really dig it.

160 Cochise team suited the 12 year old pretty damn well the last couple years. Picked up some Nordica unleashed 98 for his next ride.



FYI I’m in search of a single Orange 192 Rustler 11 if someone has a single floating around.

[whambat]

The Cochise Team is a great kids ski with quality construction. Here’s my kid on the 160, he was on the 150 last year. Been a great width for him to learn to edge while being wide enough for his 95lbs to float in powder. I’m sure I’ll have to size him up to an adult ski next year, probably the new R10 or a MF108 to go along with some carving skis I picked up cheap off a demo rack.

[VON]

I didn't check, and I skied the 180. R9 and R11 are still the highlights, but the new R10 is closing the gap. I think you'll be good with the new Rustler 9, feels just a tiny bit more solid but still totally easy to ski.

Damn. So you're saying the 2024 R10 is still a bit noodle-y compared to the R9 and R11?

I'm dying for them to make a more stable and slightly less hooky R10 to use as my "it hasn't snowed in a week" ski. Still keeping my fingers double-crossed that the 192 R10 delivers!

[gregL]

Damn. So you're saying the 2024 R10 is still a bit noodle-y compared to the R9 and R11?

I'm dying for them to make a more stable and slightly less hooky R10 to use as my "it hasn't snowed in a week" ski. Still keeping my fingers double-crossed that the 192 R10 delivers!

No, the Rustler 10 isn't "noodly" in the sense of being less secure or having inferior edgehold on hard snow, but it still tends to do a hard carved turn underfoot when pushed rather than a pivot - I prefer the 9 and 11 for that reason. This is the best R10 of the three iterations, though. Will go Ruster 9 in a 180 and Ruster 11 in a 186 for next season, and keep a 188 from 2023 as well.

[rainy512day]

No, the Rustler 10 isn't "noodly" in the sense of being less secure or having inferior edgehold on hard snow, but it still tends to do a hard carved turn underfoot when pushed rather than a pivot - I prefer the 9 and 11 for that reason. This is the best R10 of the three iterations, though. Will go Ruster 9 in a 180 and Ruster 11 in a 186 for next season, and keep a 188 from 2023 as well.

Hey Greg, Will Evo be getting a shipment of 2024 Rustler 9s this spring?

[gregL]

Hey Greg, Will Evo be getting a shipment of 2024 Rustler 9s this spring?

Not sure, I'm not in the buying department - we have our hands full trying to sell through the 2023 model.

[VON]

No, the Rustler 10 isn't "noodly" in the sense of being less secure or having inferior edgehold on hard snow, but it still tends to do a hard carved turn underfoot when pushed rather than a pivot - I prefer the 9 and 11 for that reason. This is the best R10 of the three iterations, though. Will go Ruster 9 in a 180 and Ruster 11 in a 186 for next season, and keep a 188 from 2023 as well.

Thanks for the info! Yeah it's bizarre that the R10 wants to hook up more than the R9, but that does seem to be consensus amongst those who've skied both.

[Squirreljam]

Not sure, I'm not in the buying department - we have our hands full trying to sell through the 2023 model.

Does that mean keep an eye on evo for a deal on a pair of 188s?

[gregL]

Does that mean keep an eye on evo for a deal on a pair of 188s?

There actually aren't that many 188's left - looks like 6 pairs in the warehouse and one or two in brick-and-mortar locations in Portland, SLC, and Denver. They are on sale now, how much cheaper they will go is anyone's guess.

[mr_pretzel]

No, the Rustler 10 isn't "noodly" in the sense of being less secure or having inferior edgehold on hard snow, but it still tends to do a hard carved turn underfoot when pushed rather than a pivot - I prefer the 9 and 11 for that reason. This is the best R10 of the three iterations, though. Will go Ruster 9 in a 180 and Ruster 11 in a 186 for next season, and keep a 188 from 2023 as well.

What are you getting out of the R11 188 that the new one doesnt have? A bit more omphf?

[gregL]

What are you getting out of the R11 188 that the new one doesnt have? A bit more omphf?

Straightline stability in wide open terrain and variable snow, but most people will be stoked on the new ski, absolutely no problem on fast runouts in smooth pow.

[SacTo]

Straightline stability in wide open terrain and variable snow, but most people will be stoked on the new ski, absolutely no problem on fast runouts in smooth pow.

Hmmm, this is opposite of what I wanted out of the new R11, oh well, one less ski to buy.

[robnow]

Hey Greg, Will Evo be getting a shipment of 2024 Rustler 9s this spring?

You guys should be seeing them, our shop in Canada received all models/sizes except 192 this past week.

[robnow]

Straightline stability in wide open terrain and variable snow, but most people will be stoked on the new ski, absolutely no problem on fast runouts in smooth pow.

Mostly because of the reduced mass?

[gregL]

Mostly because of the reduced mass?

Mass is the same, ~3285g with an STH2 16 WTR per ski. I think it is more a factor of the reduced contact length (more rocker at both ends). The older 188 would generate some tip flap at speed (past the Titanal DRT layer) but it still felt rock solid. The new ski doesn't do that (metal goes all the way to the tip around the perimeter), but it does "wander" a bit on firmer or chunkier snow. Noticeable on the hard snow at the WWSRA testing venue, never entered my mind last week in Utah.

[Diamond Joe]

General Blizzard question (and this is coming from a legit Blizard fan boy who is on either Rustler 9s or Brahma 88s every day)

Does Blizzard make burly as fuck skis, but topsheets that are whatever the OPPOSITE of what burly is??? My two pairs seem to sustain new top sheet damage every day I'm out, and I'm not like, a beginner or soft intermediate who gets his skis crossed up regularly. The pics I've seen of other used Rustlers or Brahmas from that year (2019) always seem to have super beat up topsheets too.

[singlesline]

Thanks for the info! Yeah it's bizarre that the R10 wants to hook up more than the R9, but that does seem to be consensus amongst those who've skied both.

Honestly, a little more ability to carve than the 9 appeals to me in daily-driver form where I know I'll be spending some time on groomers even if it is just too-and-from other stuff.

I think I'm going to have to get on a set of 9s to try them out, but demoing a new 10 is on my list. I just don't think I can justify an R11 with an Mfree 118 in the quiver.

[half-fast]

General Blizzard question (and this is coming from a legit Blizard fan boy who is on either Rustler 9s or Brahma 88s every day)

Does Blizzard make burly as fuck skis, but topsheets that are whatever the OPPOSITE of what burly is??? My two pairs seem to sustain new top sheet damage every day I'm out, and I'm not like, a beginner or soft intermediate who gets his skis crossed up regularly. The pics I've seen of other used Rustlers or Brahmas from that year (2019) always seem to have super beat up topsheets too.

The newer black or orange brahmas are better

[muted reborn]

I have old Green R11s and the topsheets are getting destroyed with large chips this year, not sure why this year - a record snowfall year.

I thought I read someone here is looking for a single orange 192 R11 - it may be a different design but I have a fairly new green single 192 R11 I'd give away to anyone in need.

[klauss]

I was looking a couple posts back but actually got a call from the mtn earlier this week that someone found my ski. Thanks, would have rocked the Orange and green.

[SacTo]

Mass is the same, ~3285g with an STH2 16 WTR per ski. I think it is more a factor of the reduced contact length (more rocker at both ends). The older 188 would generate some tip flap at speed (past the Titanal DRT layer) but it still felt rock solid. The new ski doesn't do that (metal goes all the way to the tip around the perimeter), but it does "wander" a bit on firmer or chunkier snow. Noticeable on the hard snow at the WWSRA testing venue, never entered my mind last week in Utah.

Seems like 2cm wouldn’t change things much at all, especially since the new one has metal out to the shovel and the weight is the same. Could the tune be a factor? I haven’t a/b’d the tip width either, maybe that is causing them to wander?
Might have to demo some with my older R11s at hand to a/b.

[Westcoaster]

The newer black or orange brahmas are better

They had a bad year 18-19 with the softer, smooth topsheets, and changed designs to the current matte material the following year. My matte rustler topsheets have held up great.

[SchralphMacchio]

I’ve really been appreciating my 19/20 R11s for storm skiing this season, even if it’s only 2”, or 12”. Since mine are 180 cm, they are only 112 mm waist.

What should I be looking for in the 117 to 120 mm range (any brand) that has a similar personality on those deeper days? The skis I currently have in this quiver slot like to go fast and mostly make GS sized turns on pow, not as loose as the R11s and not as fun when slowing things down as the legs get tired and things start getting mixed and chopped after running out from hunting for pockets of untouched in the trees. 180 to 183 cm is kind of my ideal length for this quiver slot.

[gregL]

Seems like 2cm wouldn’t change things much at all, especially since the new one has metal out to the shovel and the weight is the same. Could the tune be a factor? I haven’t a/b’d the tip width either, maybe that is causing them to wander?
Might have to demo some with my older R11s at hand to a/b.

Tune is fine on both (I check before I they even see snow); there is probably 20 to 25cm less ski on the ground. You've tried the new 186 and noticed the same thing?