Ski Reviews

2022-2023 LINE Blade Optic 104, 178 cm

Reviewer Username: Joe Humphries

Reviewer Height: 5’9″

Reviewer Weight: 160 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Expert

DAYS USED: 1 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Big White BC

TEST TERRAIN: Softer groomers | Softer moguls | Fairly steep off-piste terrain | Trees

TEST CONDITIONS: Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 9/10

FORGIVENESS: 9/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 8/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 4/10

STABILITY: 7/10

SUSPENSION: 8/10

EDGE HOLD: 5/10

PLAYFULNESS: 9/10

SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (178 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow

WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?

Aggressive skiers who prefer skiing off piste and want something that’s playful and easy to slash and slarve around on, without being too lightweight or soft.

ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?

The Nordica Enforcer 104 Free was a bit more supportive for hard-charging directional skiing, but gave up some quickness/looseness (though not much). The 2024 Blizzard Rustler 10 was more energetic and carved better but wasn’t as stable or damp. The Enforcer 104 Free kind of felt like a blend between the Blizzard Rustler 10 and Line Blade Optic 104, so if you like the sound of both but can’t decide, the Enforcer 104 Free might be the sweet spot.

PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!

Really really fun ski. It felt the best off piste but still could carve a turn, or you could let it run. It felt nice and damp and smooth on rougher snow and it was very forgiving when just sliding it around from the ankles. But when I wanted to lean into it and really drive it, it responded. Easy to whip the tails around in tight trees and fun to throw sideways in soft snow. Lots of energy and pop when hitting natural features too.