Could you guys do an article on mount points? I understand the generalities of mount points and their effects, but it would be great to get an in-depth view from the professionals. It would help me better understand your reviews! Thanks for the excellent content. Keep it up!
I made more extensive comments in the first look article, but will reinforce them here in support of your comment regarding lighter skiers: The Scout (177 mounted on the line) has been a truly outstanding TOURING ski for me (5’8″ 135#s). Far better than the DPS Wailer 99, DPS Wailer 105 (older Pure 1 layup), original K2 Coomba and some older stuff I’d rather not think about :).
The combination of longer radius and low/flat camber/low rocker makes them predictable in all conditions, stable and true going fast (which is a lot of the time for me) but also nimble enough to wiggle through tight trees or couloir entrances.
The Scout is certainly heavier than many if not most options in this class, but that tradeoff is well worth it for me. I’ve tried the light stuff (DPS pures), and it’s too skittery in anything aside from perfect corn or powder for my taste.
All of that said, I have Sollyfit plates on these, and have not once felt the need to put the alpine bindings on them and rip around the resort when I have Katanas for that. I want metal in an inbounds plank with these dimensions.
Great input, Andy. Thanks for the 0.2!
– Will
I have a pair of Blizzard Scouts in 185, and I am a bigger guy, 6’2″ and 225 lbs. I have them mounted alpine (on the line) and love them as an inbounds daily driver at Big Sky.
I think you Blister guys provide great info in a consistent manner, but are a little confused about the ski. The ski is plenty stable if you’re using a BC specific boot. It’s basically a cochise that skis very well with light boots.
Why not test a Bodacious on a pair of TLT5’s, then complain about the tail being too stiff?
Despite the Author’s lack-luster take on the design concept of the Scout, I would be curious to give them a try.
My curiosity stems from some of the Scout’s (at least apparent) design similarities to one of my favorite skis ever: the PMGear Bro Model.
What makes the Bro a winner for me has always been the sweet feel of the huge sidecut (33m, look out!!) coupled with the feel and weight of a non metal ski. Some people really like the stability a straight ski provides, while others just really don’t care for the hooky feel of tighter radius skis….
I guess I’m late to the party as this is a pretty old review, but I imagine a lot of this holds true for the ZeroG, which is Blizzard’s next (current) “lighter version of Cochise, big radius and all” ski…
Late to the party, but anyway.
I’ve owned the Scout for 5 year and done a lot of inbound and BC days.
5’8” 150lb
I fully agree with this 0.2 review. In great conditions, the Scout is fun and effortless. It’s a great skinning ski despite the weight.
But BC conditions are never just great, they change every few feet, and it’s very hard to know how the ski will react from one turn to the next. For the weight, I’d expect something much more solid.
If anyone has a pair of the Blizzard Scouts in 170 for sale, please advise.
Hey Garrison, late reply, but I have a pair of NOS Blizzard Dakota (the Scouts with different graphics) 170s mounted with Atomic/Salomon Warden 13 bindings. Mounted, but never skied. If you still have interest, let me know!
Could you guys do an article on mount points? I understand the generalities of mount points and their effects, but it would be great to get an in-depth view from the professionals. It would help me better understand your reviews! Thanks for the excellent content. Keep it up!
I made more extensive comments in the first look article, but will reinforce them here in support of your comment regarding lighter skiers: The Scout (177 mounted on the line) has been a truly outstanding TOURING ski for me (5’8″ 135#s). Far better than the DPS Wailer 99, DPS Wailer 105 (older Pure 1 layup), original K2 Coomba and some older stuff I’d rather not think about :).
The combination of longer radius and low/flat camber/low rocker makes them predictable in all conditions, stable and true going fast (which is a lot of the time for me) but also nimble enough to wiggle through tight trees or couloir entrances.
The Scout is certainly heavier than many if not most options in this class, but that tradeoff is well worth it for me. I’ve tried the light stuff (DPS pures), and it’s too skittery in anything aside from perfect corn or powder for my taste.
All of that said, I have Sollyfit plates on these, and have not once felt the need to put the alpine bindings on them and rip around the resort when I have Katanas for that. I want metal in an inbounds plank with these dimensions.
Great input, Andy. Thanks for the 0.2!
– Will
I have a pair of Blizzard Scouts in 185, and I am a bigger guy, 6’2″ and 225 lbs. I have them mounted alpine (on the line) and love them as an inbounds daily driver at Big Sky.
I think you Blister guys provide great info in a consistent manner, but are a little confused about the ski. The ski is plenty stable if you’re using a BC specific boot. It’s basically a cochise that skis very well with light boots.
Why not test a Bodacious on a pair of TLT5’s, then complain about the tail being too stiff?
Despite the Author’s lack-luster take on the design concept of the Scout, I would be curious to give them a try.
My curiosity stems from some of the Scout’s (at least apparent) design similarities to one of my favorite skis ever: the PMGear Bro Model.
What makes the Bro a winner for me has always been the sweet feel of the huge sidecut (33m, look out!!) coupled with the feel and weight of a non metal ski. Some people really like the stability a straight ski provides, while others just really don’t care for the hooky feel of tighter radius skis….
I guess I’m late to the party as this is a pretty old review, but I imagine a lot of this holds true for the ZeroG, which is Blizzard’s next (current) “lighter version of Cochise, big radius and all” ski…
Late to the party, but anyway.
I’ve owned the Scout for 5 year and done a lot of inbound and BC days.
5’8” 150lb
I fully agree with this 0.2 review. In great conditions, the Scout is fun and effortless. It’s a great skinning ski despite the weight.
But BC conditions are never just great, they change every few feet, and it’s very hard to know how the ski will react from one turn to the next. For the weight, I’d expect something much more solid.
If anyone has a pair of the Blizzard Scouts in 170 for sale, please advise.
Hey Garrison, late reply, but I have a pair of NOS Blizzard Dakota (the Scouts with different graphics) 170s mounted with Atomic/Salomon Warden 13 bindings. Mounted, but never skied. If you still have interest, let me know!