Ski Reviews

2018-2019 Blizzard Rustler 10, 180 cm

Reviewer Username: PartyPace19

Reviewer Height: 5’9″

Reviewer Weight: 160 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Advanced

DAYS USED: 25 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Welch Village, Mt. Lacrosse, Lutsen, Wild Mountain, Steamboat, Copper, Big Sky, Bridger Bowl, Banff Sunshine Village, Banff Lake Louise, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

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

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 10/10

FORGIVENESS: 8/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 7/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 8/10

STABILITY: 6/10

SUSPENSION: 6/10

EDGE HOLD: 7/10

PLAYFULNESS: 7/10

PLAYFULNESS (Open Ended):

Though the pop, snap, and rebound are relatively low, when driven deliberately, the ski allows for many different turn shapes and styles. The tips and tails are pliable and well rockered, which allows for ease of release from turns, as well as allowing for easily varying of turn radius by adjusting edge angle, bending the ski, or both.

SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (180 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Softer moguls | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain | Trees

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?

This is an excellent ski for a resort skier who may encounter just about any conditions though rarely encounters very deep snow or pure icy conditions, and is always seeking softer snow and tighter off piste terrain where the ability to vary turn shapes is valuable.

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

The closest ski in comparison I’ve recently tried is the Black Crows Camox, which is not a very close comparison. The Camox felt less pliable and more locked in to a specific medium-long turn shape on firmer snow and also did not float as easily in chopped up snow. However, when skiing over rough, firm snow, I felt the Camox was slightly quieter and had less tip flap.

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

I personally own these skis (hopefully I have selected the correct model year – they have the old blue top sheet with black tips/tails, but with an orange logo on the tips) and I greatly enjoy them for most of my skiing time. Off piste I value the ease of use in tight terrain, moguls, and softer/heavier snow. On piste they provide surprisingly good edge hold and a rewarding feel when varying carving turn shapes. They provide enough damping and suspension for my weight and skiing style preferences – I can feel some tip flap at higher speeds, but have never felt chattered or rattled. On the firmest/icy conditions and when skiing in the Midwest on short hills, I prefer a narrower, damper, somewhat more front side oriented ski. If I regularly encountered snow greater than boot-top deep, I’d want a wider powder specific ski, too.