Ski: 2019-2020 Blizzard Spur, 192 cm
Available Lengths: 192 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 191.0 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2228 & 2231 grams
Stated Dimensions: 150-124-140 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 143.7-124.0-132.7 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius: 26/30 meters
Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 42-55 mm / 26-33 mm
Traditional Camber Underfoot: 0-1 mm
Construction:
- poplar/balsa/beech/paulownia/ISO (synthetic)
- partial titanal layer + carbon tips/tails + fiberglass laminate
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -7.8 cm / 87.7 cm from tail
Boots / Bindings: HEAD Raptor 140 RS / Marker Griffon
Test Locations: Arapahoe Basin
Days Skied: 4 (so far)
[Note: Our review was conducted on the 17/18 Spur, which was not changed for 18/19 or 19/20, apart from graphics.]
Intro
Ever since we first laid eyes on it, we’ve been talking quite a bit about the completely redesigned Blizzard Spur — you can check out our SIA Coverage on the Blister Podcast, and our thoughts on the Spur (and asymmetrical skis in general) in our Blister Awards.
You can also read our review of the 16/17 Spur here, and Blister members & Blister Deep Dive subscribers can check out our article on the entire 16/17 Blizzard Freeride lineup— the Brahma, Bonafide, Cochise, Bodacious, and Spur — and how we think of each of those skis independently and their place within the collection.
In short, we think that the 16/17 Spur is an incredibly good ski, and there’s no question that the 17/18 Spur is an incredibly interesting ski. The two skis now have little in common, aside from the fact that they are both 124mm-wide pow skis.
The 17/18 Spur gets a rather wild new tip and tail shape, and it cuts weight, too. According to Blizzard, “The new Spur is a total modernization of the traditional powder ski and is unlike anything we have ever done before.”
Blizzard engineer, Michele Botteon, also adds this: “We approached the Spur design using inspiration from surfboard shapes because true powder is, in many ways, similar to water. So much of what you see is based on Hydro-Dynamics.”
We look forward to surfing the new Spur, because on the face of it, it seems like this ski is going to ride very, very differently from its predecessor. Stay tuned…
NEXT: Buyer’s Guide Update + Our Initial On-Snow Review
Those skis are damn sexy!
Mind blowing, I just want to stare LOL
Almost bought the current Spur, now waiting to hear about these beasts
When do you expect them on the market for sale? fall of 2017?
Is it just me, or is Jackie Paaso riding these on the FWT on the wrong feet?? Search Youtube “GoPro run Jackie Paaso – Chamonix-Mont-Blanc staged in Vallnord-Arcalís – FWT17”
It reaalllly seems like you’re right, Daniel. What the hell?
Can’t imagine you’d do that by accident, but also can’t think of why you’d want the longer edge on the outside. Get her on the podcast and let’s find out!
If anyone is still following this – I messaged Jackie on IG and she said she was rushed once and put them on the wrong feet by accident but then realized that if she had them on that way she had a tighter turn radius so she sometimes intentionally rides them like that
More effective edge for variable conditions…
These look like they could reduce the centerline roost and face shots that symmetrical skis do so well.
Ok, I gotta ask. How do these asymmetrical skis work? I think I understand the basic idea: longer effective edge on the inside, with a shorter edge on the outside, so it doesn’t catch when you turn…something like that? If all else were equal (of course this is almost never the case) how would the asymmetrical shape change the way skis feel? Thanks for the great work–I can’t wait for the year review.
Interesting, I added last year’s Spur to the quiver at the end of the season but haven’t skied them yet. Reading this review I think I’m glad I went with last year’s model as I think it covers the top range of my quiver better as a powder work-horse than this more pivoty model. Sounds like a fun ski though.
Looks like a really fun ski for the trees and deep pow. A comparison with the new K2 Catamaran could be in order. Was wondering if the shovels on the new Spur will hold up in deep chop or fold up like noodles like the old Rossi S7?
Do these skis have skin capabilities? would the asymmetrical tip and tail disable skins to be put on? Would the same problem occur on the K2 catamaran?
I have been skiing a pair of 2013 Cochise based almost exclusively on your review. I can’t overstate how great these skis are. As an old guy (55) and from the East coast, they make me a better skier than I have any right to be. That said, I don’t think they are great in really deep powder. I’m a little too old and too heavy to really float the Cochise in bottomless powder. So, I bought the new Spur. Again, based exclusively on your buyer’s guide and my experience with the Cochise. Wow, what a fun ski. It has that same old school Cochise ‘suspension.’ It’s flat, it pivots, rails, surfs and, most importantly, it floats. The same Blizzard ‘flipcore BS’ DNA is in there but it’s a much easier ski than the Cochise. I’m not prepared to say it’s my go to side country weapon, but for deep (really deep) Jackson headwall, side country, and back country powder, they rock.
Any comparisons to the K2 Catamaran?
Wholly smokes what a ski! I took a gamble and bought it to replace my Black Crows Nocta 190 cm. The spurs are so fast and stable, very damp, light, and so easy to turn. It’s almost scary how fast they turn as you’re thinking about it. Almost like the DPS Lotus 138 that could pivot on a dime. These do too, but in a manageable width and with camber (i.e. more functional). Couldn’t believe the straight line ability/stability and the ability to do Tokyo drift style “turns”. Just sliding sideways across the fall line as far as I liked. I encountered pow, dust on crust and wind scoured bullet proof. It transposition from one type of snow to the other without flinching. I was skeptical on the shape design vs functionality but it is apparent immediately and works perfectly. Doesn’t hook snow, releases easily, and keeps it planed up on the snow vs. going for a scuba dive like my Noctas.
Hi.
Am about to pull the trigger on the spurs. With a waist width of 124 how exactly did you mount the fritchi techton 12 which have a max brake width of 120mm? What am I missing.
Id like to mount the atk freeraider 14 binding which also has a max of 120mm.
This will be used for a sled assisted touring ski in valemont BC. Lots of tree skiing and mini-golf lines. Always deep snow. Id like to use a light binding to keep the weigh down as they are a bit heavy for a touring ski.
I finally mounted these up and took them out for a ski. Fantastic! I’ve had them sitting around for a few years. I was looking for a replacement for the G3 Empire 127s that I loved and these seemed interesting. 22designs Outlaws, mount shifted 4cm back for tele. Variable wind and sun affected conditions. It’s a big ski, but totally manageable on the up and fun and easy on the down.