What's Blizzard up to?

[Tony911]

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?

You have skied on the new Anomlies or just guessing?

[XavierD]

Just because a ski isn’t as punishing doesn’t mean it can’t still go hard, just means it’s better designed.

This seems lost on people.

[nest]

I have not skied them. I was under the impression that the 102 is more of a bonafide replacement. The camber and sidecut profile don't look ideal. The predictability/lack of hookiness was the best feature on the cochise. The Blizzard marketing speak for the new line was also less than convincing.
I did read some more in depth reviews this morning and am now more intrigued. All comparisons in the reviews were to the bonafide though. Has anyone skied the 102 and a cochise and willing to compare?

[gregL]

I have not skied them. I was under the impression that the 102 is more of a bonafide replacement. The camber and sidecut profile don't look ideal. The predictability/lack of hookiness was the best feature on the cochise. The Blizzard marketing speak for the new line was also less than convincing.
I did read some more in depth reviews this morning and am now more intrigued. All comparisons in the reviews were to the bonafide though. Has anyone skied the 102 and a cochise and willing to compare?

The Cochise was the one I didn't really mesh with, it's stubborn nature meant it only got used on big, wide open terrain with no surprises (I kept a pair of old Bonafide 97's and 2 pairs of Bodacious in the quiver). The Anomaly isn't really a direct replacement as the 4mm less width makes it less useful in fresh snow (fine in 7-8" medium density two weeks ago, though). I would choose the Rustler 10 for those conditions anyway. In general, the Cochise has a slightly higher top end and the tail locks in with more tenacity; the Anomaly 102 has a more useful blend of characteristics for me and it doesn't really make me ski slower.

For reference, I"m 5'8" and 168 or so, skied the 185 Cochise and have the 182 Anomaly 102.

[googledidoo]

The Cochise was the one I didn't really mesh with, it's stubborn nature meant it only got used on big, wide open terrain with no surprises (I kept a pair of old Bonafide 97's and 2 pairs of Bodacious in the quiver). The Anomaly isn't really a direct replacement as the 4mm less width makes it less useful in fresh snow (fine in 7-8" medium density two weeks ago, though). I would choose the Rustler 10 for those conditions anyway. In general, the Cochise has a slightly higher top end and the tail locks in with more tenacity; the Anomaly 102 has a more useful blend of characteristics for me and it doesn't really make me ski slower.

For reference, I"m 5'8" and 168 or so, skied the 185 Cochise and have the 182 Anomaly 102.

There is a good chance you would have gotten along better with the 177 Cochise at your stats. No shame sizing down a bit with that ski.

[Bandit Man]

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

I've had a rotation going between Katana and Cochise since the OG Katana. Skied the Katana until the OG Cochise 108 came out and then skied that for several years. I have to agree with what others have said, that the Cochise works best in wide open spaces where there is room to run. Where the K108 won me over is ability to manage such a wide range of conditions. I understand the concern with the tighter radius sidecut right under foot. They don't ski quite as loose as a Cochise, but are much more versatile. The Katana is better at the extremes, meaning on groomed and in deep powder. They are about equal to Cochise in crud/variable, but not as loose and "slippery". I wish the underfoot radius of the K108 was a tad larger, but understand that the goal is to actually sell these skis and not just have a model for Billy Badass that only sells to shop employees and once they go on clearance at the end of the season. I suspect that the now Mantra 108 will soon also go the way of the Cochise as one more big mountain charger goes extinct.

[gregL]

I suspect that the now Mantra 108 will soon also go the way of the Cochise as one more big mountain charger goes extinct.

I think it's staying in the lineup for 2026 with adjusted Titanal Frame and Carbon Web like the M7 . . .

[Bandit Man]

[emoji638]][emoji640][emoji639]][emoji637][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji639]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]]I think it's staying in the lineup for [emoji638][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji638][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]] with adjusted Titanal Frame and Carbon Web like the M[emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji639]] . . .

Interesting. Don’t see K[emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]’s or M[emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji638]’s as much as I did a few years ago, so wondered about future of those, especially the [emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]].


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[carlh]

Anomaly 102 looks more like a mantra 102 competitor than a Cochise replacement. Seems like it should be a good ski and would be on my radar if I needed to replace my b97s and fl105s with 1 ski.
Seeing as even Marshall is discontinuing the 105 shape it must be pretty low demand for a mid 10x variable missile.

[skibrd]

The new (current gen) Rustler [emoji637][emoji646]s are awesome. Ice to over head pow, they just do it fine. I like them. Buy them, enjoy them. I have a pair of QST Blanks, but idk if/when I’ll grab them because the R TENS are so good.


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[Flippo]

The new (current gen) Rustler [emoji637][emoji646]s are awesome. Ice to over head pow, they just do it fine. I like them. Buy them, enjoy them. I have a pair of QST Blanks, but idk if/when I’ll grab them because the R TENS are so good.

They were on my radar but could not find a good deal. I bought the blade optic instead.

[Bandit Man]

They were on my radar but could not find a good deal. I bought the blade optic instead.

The Rustler 10 and Blade Optic 104 are similar in what they aim to be, but with slightly different strengths. The R10 really shines on trail but the more extreme rocker profile makes it also quite good in softer conditions. The Optic 104 is a more progressive style of ski and skis really loose, especially off trail, but can still hold it's own on trail. I think more conventional skiers will gravitate to the R10, with more progressive or freestyle skiers will welcome the Optic 104 as a more freeride oriented offering that doesn't require a significant change to their style to get to work well for them.

[Flippo]

The Rustler 10 and Blade Optic 104 are similar in what they aim to be, but with slightly different strengths. The R10 really shines on trail but the more extreme rocker profile makes it also quite good in softer conditions. The Optic 104 is a more progressive style of ski and skis really loose, especially off trail, but can still hold it's own on trail. I think more conventional skiers will gravitate to the R10, with more progressive or freestyle skiers will welcome the Optic 104 as a more freeride oriented offering that doesn't require a significant change to their style to get to work well for them.

Yep, I did not ski them yet and may regret my choice but they were so cheap that even if I don't like them it's not a big deal. Thought that they are a good complement to the regular blade and Deathwish.

[skibrd]

Rarely do I find a ski that just does it. The R[emoji637][emoji646]s do for me. Ice, fine. Bumps, fine, groomers, give them more, shallow pow, great, over head turns, drive them and smile. I was amazed. JH went from icy man made crap to a winter wonder land and I just skied the R10s with out really wanting something else. Yeah would either Kastle MX orange or red tips been nice, sure, but I wasn’t complaining about skiing the R[emoji637][emoji646]s.

I still have Blanks for bigger days, but the R[emoji637][emoji646]s will get used a lot. Now to buckle down, get some work things done so I can navigate my way back there full time…


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[skibrd]

Anyone ski the narrower Brahma and have anything good/bad to say about it? I broke my Kaestle MX EightyEights and am looking for a replacement


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[aanev]

Owning Brahma 82 (180cm), I find it stable, fast and predictable. Doesn't encourage or tolerate backseat riding.
IMHO similar feel to Atomic Vantage Ti, but better in moguls, due to the narrower tail.

[Gweilo]

New Zero G 96 ? Anyone heard of those ? There were also some 88. Hand flexing them they are way softer than the current editions, without any carbon drive mention


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[jakezee]

Where is everyone mounting their green '23 R9s?

[kid-kapow]

the new rustlers look nice


"The new Blizzard Zero G skis have lost the carbon and gained an ash mounting area. This will improve skiability substantially." source https://www.facebook.com/VillageSkia...JcmSCLBDNqC4Cl

softer and rounder flex could be nice if they also added a bit of mass / suspension.