What's Blizzard up to?

[ThisAintCheckerz]

Anyone ski the zero g LT 80? How are they?

[muted reborn]

I disagree, I skied the 188 and was lukewarm about the ski, sold them, then I bought the 192 and thought it was considerably different, more stable with no annoying tip dive, and I loved them.

So I am curious about the Line optic now, and wasn't trying to shit on anyone, I was trying to get a clarification on what length people are comparing the Optics to since my 188 expereince was 'meh' (maybe a bad tune?) - what I am trying to figure out is if the Line Optic 114 192 is as good or better than the new Blizzard Rustler 11 192? Anyone try both?

[J. Barron DeJong]

So I am curious about the Line optic now, and wasn't trying to shit on anyone, I was trying to get a clarification on what length people are comparing the Optics to since my 188 expereince was 'meh' (maybe a bad tune?) - what I am trying to figure out is if the Line Optic 114 192 is as good or better than the new Blizzard Rustler 11 192? Anyone try both?

He comes crawling back….

(Sorry, can’t actually help here.)

[MMMSKI]

I skied the newer Ruslter skis and the Anomaly at a demo last year. I liked the resdisgn of the Rustler 9 compared to the older Rustler 9 (it felt a tad stronger connection to the snow). I also skied the Rustler 11 - kind of wish it was a bit heavier (as others have said. The Anomaly seemed to have a funky tune - but seemed to be in line wth Bonafide/Brahma.

[Fred Pabst]

Had a chance to check out the new Anomaly 88 and 94. They both looked pretty nice. Solid and hefty construction as to be expected by Blizzard. The Brahma 88 has been the narrowest ski in my quiver for a few years. Love them. Maybe the new A88's will replace. I really like the slight increase in tail rocker. Anyone been on the Anomaly yet?

[SnakeMagnet]

They're updates to whatever metal laminate ski blizzard had in that waist width before, but easier and more accessible and with less top end. "Cochise" is now 102, "Bona" now 94. See: framed vs sheet mantras.

Everything is getting Enforcer'd these days..

[Bandit Man]

I thought gregL had some favorable things to say about the Anomaly line.

I’ve only hand flexed in the shop, but didn’t seem like noodles to me.


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[SnakeMagnet]

That's not a inherently derogatory description. It's just that compromises are being made to make these skis more appealing, everything is starting to feel the same. Specialty skis like Bodacious are extinct. Brand or even lineup identity is disappearing.

Go back 5 years. The Enforcer was a metal laminate you could ski lazy on, accessible and still powerful when wanted, but lacking that high end performance. The M5 had the precision and versatility in turn shapes and wants active input. The Bonafide just smashed through everything and demanded aggression. The Stance had a releasable tail and was more 'playful' if 9ne could describe that kind of ski as such.

Now they all feel like slightly different flavors of do-all skis that cater more to mass appeal than reaching top end performance. Like the enforcer.

Like, I skied both the anomaly 102 and new R10 that demo day, back to back, and other than the metal weight and the corresponding aspects to that they felt like the same ski. Both wanted to make the same single radius turn, the anomaly was just more composed and more drivable--just not as much as a bone could. I even mockingly called it the Blizzard Stance 102 in my writeup earlier in this thread, and that was not entirely untruthful.

Maybe I'm just jaded and mainstream brands aren't what I want because they don't offer something distinct from each other. At least the indys still try to stand out.

[gregL]

I thought gregL had some favorable things to say about the Anomaly line.

I did, and ended up with the Anomaly 102 and 88 in the quiver this year.

What people don't seem to get is that modern ski designs, with a few exceptions, are all "medium" flex - they tailor the torsional flex and materials to make a ski more in tune with an expert's skill set, not make them longitudinally stiffer. Charger skis are on the stiffer end of the medium spectrum, sure, but it's the Titanal, heavier cores and torsionally stiffer tips and tails that make them work for better/heavier/faster skiers.

[bry]

Man I skied some first year 189 Brahma 88s this week, hell of a frontside ski. Chargey, great energy out of the turn, super composed, easy to feather out and release the tails, nice balance. A little long in crunchy f'ed up refrozen moguls but that's not what they're for.

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[shroom]

agree, ski easy but pretty good energy and upper end

[Spooky]

Had a chance to check out the new Anomaly 88 and 94. They both looked pretty nice. Solid and hefty construction as to be expected by Blizzard. The Brahma 88 has been the narrowest ski in my quiver for a few years. Love them. Maybe the new A88's will replace. I really like the slight increase in tail rocker. Anyone been on the Anomaly yet?

I've spent a little bit of time on all three. I really enjoyed all of them. I only skied the 88s and 94s on groomers whilst I managed to get the 102s on groomers and some choppy pow. For context my current quiver is all Blizzard (Rustler 9s, 10, 11s, Bonafides (older 98 waisted ones), old Bodacious, OG Spur).

The anomalies are all still strong, sturdy skis that can be skied hard. And as with the skis they're replacing, they're best skied fast and on edge to get the most out of them. They're just a little more versatile and accessible than the previous line up - snappier at lower speeds and easier to release the tails and make a variety of turn shapes and sizes on. The 102 was also more enjoyable than the Bonafides in choppy pow. As much as I adore the Bonafides, they can feel bit locked in at times, whereas the 102 was just more lively and easier to pivot quickly when needed.

[forumskier]

The 102s seem rad

[skibrd]

I did, and ended up with the Anomaly 102 and 88 in the quiver this year.

What people don't seem to get is that modern ski designs, with a few exceptions, are all "medium" flex - they tailor the torsional flex and materials to make a ski more in tune with an expert's skill set, not make them longitudinally stiffer. Charger skis are on the stiffer end of the medium spectrum, sure, but it's the Titanal, heavier cores and torsionally stiffer tips and tails that make them work for better/heavier/faster skiers.

It’s almost like ski designers figured out how to make skis easier to ski hard, and now everyone wants thinks they can ski an old school big stiff ski.


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[GoldenBC]

I like to think that new skis, while appearing neutered, seem to do everything better than skis of the past. As in, you don't have to hate some aspects to excel at others. Maybe I don't have the same demands on skis as I used to (I jib less, but probably ski harder) so I am easier to please with a single shape, I don't know.

For those traditionalists out there, I'm selling some mint bodacious over in the gear swap.

[Beder]

Brahma 82's are $300 from Evo. They have been awesome for me while confined to the groomers

Bonafides are cheap too

[bry]

The 189 bonafide 97 is the best aggro high pressure blow shit up ski under 100mm under foot I've ever been on, and I've taken variety to the limit the past five seasons or so. I actually like skiing them when I'm tired too, because they just absorb all frequencies. Just annoys my hip on the chairlift around the fourth hour.

I'll add that the 188 HL R99 comp is the best sub 100mm underfoot, all mountain ski I've ever skied. It's 200g lighter per ski than the B97s (2350g v 2550g) so a bit more cat-quick, but you can drive the shit out of them and still enjoy the full tip through tail goodness with a perfectly balanced flex throughout. Super damp and just perfect on edge.

Both are better/more well rounded than the 184 Monster 98s in my humble jong opinion.

Been skiing the B97s and R99c with the 189 brahma 88s this week, having a little high pressure shootout.



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[Tony911]

Had a chance to check out the new Anomaly 88 and 94. They both looked pretty nice. Solid and hefty construction as to be expected by Blizzard. The Brahma 88 has been the narrowest ski in my quiver for a few years. Love them. Maybe the new A88's will replace. I really like the slight increase in tail rocker. Anyone been on the Anomaly yet?

I skied on the 88 and 94 for 3 days last spring.

94 isnt for me but I liked the 88 enough that I bought a pair and am selling my Brahmas.

Just as much power but more forgiving, especially the tail with the slight rocker. I got in a bit of a jam with the Brahmas last year in a bad spot where some tail rocker would likely have released me.

My knees arent what they use to be so a little forgiveness is a good thing.

The 88, an Enforcer 99 and 110 and Im covered for pretty much everything, at least here in the Canadian Rockies. For the real icy days at Norquay I have a E rally.

I think the A88 should be a big seller, way more accessible for more people than the Brahma.

[Beder]

^^^
I have last year's (final?) B97 in plastic. It weighs 2175g in a 183. Helluva difference from bry's

[bry]

^^^
I have last year's (final?) B97 in plastic. It weighs 2175g in a 183. Helluva difference from bry's

I have some first year B97s in 183 and they're like 2250. I ski them locally in more bony terrain and when I ski with my buddy who is short. They're good too but a little different. They smear good and carve great too but I do feel the carbon in the tips more.

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[nest]

Pretty bummed Blizzard neutered the lineup and is now an intermediate ski purveyor. There is definitely something to be lost when a company ignores the higher end of a product line to cater to mediocrity.
Speaking of - anyone have a pair of 185 cochise (any vintage) they want to sell? Any ideas on a good cochise replacement - traditional mount point, longish turn radius, high top end with a loosish tail?

[Bandit Man]

The new Rustler line is pretty amazing.

Enjoy the search for some OG Cochises. They pop up from time to time for dirt cheap. I keep a pair around for nostalgia, but prefer the newer “lower end” offerings a from the likes of Völkl and Blizzard.

[yeahman]

Any ideas on a good cochise replacement - traditional mount point, longish turn radius, high top end with a loosish tail?

Yah. 187 Mindbender 108ti. Too bad I just sold mine cuz I'm too old and wimpy, or you could try them. I kept my 179 pair.

[bry]

Yeah it sounds crazy but not too crazy... my 189 B97s came in at 2525g/2534g ski.

My OG 193 Cochise are about 2440 per ski, my Cochise 106s were 2463/2484 (sold 'em) and I have a pair of 192 gen 2s that are 2455/2468.

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Looked back at my original weights ^^^

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[nest]

The new Rustler line is pretty amazing.

Enjoy the search for some OG Cochises. They pop up from time to time for dirt cheap. I keep a pair around for nostalgia, but prefer the newer “lower end” offerings a from the likes of Völkl and Blizzard.

Ha. Sorry if it came across as douchey but am pretty disappointed in Blizzards new lineup. They are all I have been skiing for years (I still have a Bodacious stash luckily)
Reading other threads it seems that you are a big fan of the katana 108. Head to head comparisons to cochise? Looks super intriguing but the narrow sidecut gives me pause. Are they hooky when thrown sideways at speed on firm/steeps? High end limit? Thanks in advance

Yeahman- I will check out the K2s as well. Lets make some turns this year.