New Gear for this Season

They sent you a free new pair? How'd you manage that? My Kore 105s have maybe 10 days on them and they look like they fell off the roof rack going down 87!
I had to pay to ship my 2019 pair to them and they sent me a brand new 2020 pair, which immediately chipped as well and I decided I didn't care enough to try for the warranty replacement again. I was very impressed with the customer service at Blizzard.
 
I've been thoroughly enjoying my Blizzard Rustler 9s for the last 3-4 years, with the exception of terrible top sheet construction that chips like crazy on two different sets of skis (had Blizzard send me a new pair after the first pair got all messed up after 1 season). They are very light and playful and allow me to keep up with the kids in the trees, and are stable enough to get going on the groomers. They do great on the 3-5 inch east coast powder days. If I see a good deal on something a little heavier and more groomer focused off demo I could see picking up a second pair, but for now the Ruslters have been a nice 1 ski quiver.

My real addition this season will probably be boots, that's the one piece of equipment I won't skimp on. I have always had circulation issues, I want to try some of these new BOA boots if I can find them. Fischer and Salomon seem like the two that will fit my foot best. I've bene skiing a 110 flex the last 5-7 years, but may have to step it up to 120. I think the key to boots is take your time, try on a lot of stuff, sit in them for a while and most importantly find a boot fitter who knows what they are talking about.
I have a few pages open to the Blizzard Rustler 9s..They get great reviews...Just afraid of the 94 underfoot.. I guess you don't find them too wide...
 
I have a few pages open to the Blizzard Rustler 9s..They get great reviews...Just afraid of the 94 underfoot.. I guess you don't find them too wide...

I don't know squat about Blizzard Rusters, but if you reserved the 94 for when the snow is new or untracked, I bet you will like them. Use something in the 80s for regular east coast and if you need 70s or below... stay home. :)
 
I don't know squat about Blizzard Rusters, but if you reserved the 94 for when the snow is new or untracked, I be you will like them. Use something in the 80s for regular east coast and if you need 70s or below... stay home. :)
I have Line 98's when there is some fresh...Want something that is fun and easy to ski and will ski eastern conditions..
 
I have a few pages open to the Blizzard Rustler 9s..They get great reviews...Just afraid of the 94 underfoot.. I guess you don't find them too wide...
I ski them short, which I think may have slightly less underfoot. I'm 5'7 and ski the 163. I primarily ski them at Gore. I don't think I would want any wider. My guess is the Brahma would carve a little better but the Rustlers allow me to follow the kids into the trees and the park with ease. I wouldn't mind another ski for the hard packed days when the trees aren't open, but the Rustler do well enough on those days.
 
I turned 50 last year and, instead of having a party or going on some trip, I decided to treat myself with a decent backcountry set-up
❤️
 
I think easily nicked top sheets is a Blizzard thing. I experienced that also
No doubt Blizzard top sheets seem to nick easily. My previous two pairs nicked up a lot. I found a lot of damage happened because I'd click my boots together on the lift to knock off the snow. Once I stopped doing that they held up much better.

We shall see how my just acquired pair of Bonafide 97 hold up. No more banging them together though.
 
I have Line 98's when there is some fresh...Want something that is fun and easy to ski and will ski eastern conditions..
Unfortunately, I don’t have a specific ski to recommend but I agree that going shorter than 177 cm will definitely make a huge difference. When I hear terms like mellower ski that’s fun and easy, I think not as stiff (maybe no metal at all – which would also make them lighter). I do also think < 85 mm underfoot range (but that’s just me).

Below is a link I used during my ski search last year to get an estimate of potential ski length ranges based on height, weight, ability, terrain, skiing style, and ski length preference (if you have not tried it yet). I took the results with a grain of salt but I thought it did a pretty good job (at least for me and how I ski). If anything, it's fun to see if the skis you enjoyed for years are right for you. :)

https://www.powder7.com/downhill-ski-size-chart/sizing-guide

Best of luck and enjoy the search!
 
About 8 years ago I bought my first wider 'powder' ski - a Nordica Vagabond. I went with a little shorter length (177) and a wood core with no metal to have a quick and maneuverable ski for east coast trees. They are 107 under feet. At the time Nordica made a version with metal called the El Capo that was also a choice. I used the Vagabonds a few times per season and intially they were excellent in all kinds of 3D snow. However, by year 3, it was obvious they were wearing out pretty quickly.

Last Dec 16, during a decent 12-20 inch heavy wet snow in VT, the Vagabonds were useless. They have less than 25 days. Yuk.

I might have overreacted - but here are my new 'powder' boards. I got them last March during the end of season sale.
20230328_223537 - Copy.jpg
 
About 8 years ago I bought my first wider 'powder' ski - a Nordica Vagabond. I went with a little shorter length (177) and a wood core with no metal to have a quick and maneuverable ski for east coast trees. They are 107 under feet. At the time Nordica made a version with metal called the El Capo that was also a choice. I used the Vagabonds a few times per season and intially they were excellent in all kinds of 3D snow. However, by year 3, it was obvious they were wearing out pretty quickly.

Last Dec 16, during a decent 12-20 inch heavy wet snow in VT, the Vagabonds were useless. They have less than 25 days. Yuk.

I might have overreacted - but here are my new 'powder' boards. I got them last March during the end of season sale.
View attachment 21051
Keep us posted on them Blossom’s. I have a pair of the AM77’s and love them. They have replaced my Stockli AX’s as my daily driver. Not my pick on the hardest of days, but for all rounder…. Sweet
 
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