An in depth look at Blizzard - How do they ski?

#1

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11/20/08 at 2:38pm

Skier-X85
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Calling all Blizzard reps, Blizzard skiers, and Blizzard aficionados!

I can't seem to find much information on these skis anywhere so am creating a thread in hopes of attracting it. It seems that they are either hard to find or a relatively new/resurgent brand that is coming back into the limelight.

How do these skis compare to Volkl, Fischer, and say any other euro-brand out there? Any and all comments are welcome.

To start this thread off, I will pose a question. With the direction that this brand is heading with their IQ binding/ski system, how is this suppose to help the skier?

Here is another stumper, not so if you own it however. How does the CMX Pro with IQ ski, well...ski. Is it really a true expert ski as it is so dubbed or can a advanced skier with solid carving skill handle it as a "teaching" ski? Have at it HAUS!

#2

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11/20/08 at 4:06pm

Skier-X85
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Location: Avon, CO
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I received this information direct from www.blizzardsportsusa.com. The idea behind this system seems quite remarkable. A ski binding that truly becomes a part of the ski. Genius in my book.

Sandwich Compound, WC Race - Magnesium
SL Magnesium GS Magnesium Jr.
GS Magnesium G-Force Super-sonic IQ
SLR Magnesium G-Force Sonic IQ
GSR Magnesium Magnum 8.7
SL Magnesium Jr.

Sandwich Compound Sidewall,
IQ System, Powerfarme
G Force G3 Titan Zeus
Magnum 8.1 Titan Argos
Viva Sonic The Answer

Sandwich Compound Sidewall, IQ Inside
G Force G1 The Reason
Magnum 7.6 The Orgin
Titan Cronus

Sandwich Compound Tour Light (Ultra Light)
Viva 7.6 Viva G3

Sandwich Composite, Wood Profile, IQ System
Magnum 7.1 Viva G1

#3

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11/20/08 at 4:35pm

Skier-X85
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Location: Avon, CO
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THE BLIZZARD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEcf0LNdHBE

No real educational value but entertaining nonetheless.

Makes me want to go out, pick some up and blast the mountain

#4

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11/20/08 at 6:03pm

SierraJim
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I have only skied the Mag 8.7. IMO the target for the brand is Volkl but with a couple of technical differences in their IQ system. I think the Mag 8.7 skis better for my tastes than the Volkl AC-50. This is not b/c the Blizzi is more ski than the Volkl but actually b/c it is slightly less ski. I think skis of this width range need to accomodate mixed conditions and crud very well. Again IMO, but I think that the Volkls are too stiff both in beam flex and torsionally as well. Hence they are superb wide carvers but are not as good in weird and broken stuff as the Blizzi.

All ski choices involve compromise. The Blizzi may sacrifice a tiny bit on rock hard snow to the Volkl, but for my tastes at least, it's a worthwhile tradeoff. For those that prioritize hard snow over the mixte stuff, your choice might be different.

I'm convinced enough that I'm choosing a Blizzard Titan Argos as my middle width ski (daily driver) this season.

SJ

StartHaus skis deals #3 is up. Check the thread in the members deal forum. Better than web prices for members only.

#5

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11/20/08 at 6:56pm

Skier-X85
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Would you happen to know about the Blizzard CMX Pro IQ? How does it ski. 120/70/99 with a 15.5m radius

#6

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11/20/08 at 10:29pm

SierraJim
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Not having skied it, I can't offer much help.

SJ

StartHaus skis deals #3 is up. Check the thread in the members deal forum. Better than web prices for members only.

#7

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11/21/08 at 3:52am

U.P. Racer
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Skier-X85

Would you happen to know about the Blizzard CMX Pro IQ? How does it ski. 120/70/99 with a 15.5m radius

That one is actually a few years old. Haven't skied it, but their current stuff is incredible.

#8

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11/21/08 at 4:01am

tdk6
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I've only skied on the high end sandwich Magnesium SL and GS skis and they are incredible.

#9

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11/21/08 at 4:10am

Philpug
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Location: NTS, PA
Post Count: 22,539

I have had a few pair of BlizzArds in the past, Mag SL and Titan Nines, currently I am (waiting for) my new BlizzErd Magnum 8.7's. My wife has Eos's and the Viva 7.6. I do like the newer Marker TT IQ binding over the older IQ shown above. The new TT fits in the IQ track much better than the older design, that has a lot of slop in comparison.

Click. Point. Chute.

#10

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11/21/08 at 9:44am

Skier-X85
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I know this ski is a few years old. That is why I can get a good deal on it at a local shop. Should I hold off and wait for some of the newer blizzards to become available?

What do mean by slop with the IQ design shown above?

#11

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11/21/08 at 9:51am

Skier-X85
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Does anyone have experience with this years G-Force line? From what I can see from some early reviews, they are full of energy and great front side carvers.

#12

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11/21/08 at 10:43am

mrski00
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Skier-X85

Does anyone have experience with this years G-Force line? From what I can see from some early reviews, they are full of energy and great front side carvers.

I just got off my Blizzard 8.7s. Having skied the Volkl AC50 & owned The AC40 the Blizzards are much more user friendly. They enter the turn,stay in the turn & exit the turn much smoother that the Volkls. Both Volkls are very torsionally stiff although they have softened the AC50. There wasn't any ice to check the grip but I didn't buy that ski for ice. I have a G-Force Sonic 121/68/105 for my Front side ski which I will ski tomarrow.
I'll give you my take on that ski. I have been on Volkl for 13 years & after trying the Blizzards my mind was made up. Again,

this is just my opinion.

#13

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11/21/08 at 11:11am

Skier-X85
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Please chime in after you get some time on the Blizzard Sonic IQas this seems like a great choice for many of us who favor something less stiff than the top of the line. I am seriously considering getting a front side Blizzard carver and am unsure if I should wait for one of the G-force line or pull the trigger on a model a couple years old, shown above.

#14

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11/21/08 at 7:43pm

Philpug
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Skier-X85

I know this ski is a few years old. That is why I can get a good deal on it at a local shop. Should I hold off and wait for some of the newer blizzards to become available?

What do mean by slop with the IQ design shown above?

The older style IQ does not fit the track as well as the new design, there is some play (slop). I can shake the ski and the binding will rattle, this does not happen with the new Marker TT version.

Click. Point. Chute.

#15

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11/21/08 at 7:47pm

dawgcatching
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Location: Oregon: Bend/Sunriver
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Skier-X85

Please chime in after you get some time on the Blizzard Sonic IQas this seems like a great choice for many of us who favor something less stiff than the top of the line. I am seriously considering getting a front side Blizzard carver and am unsure if I should wait for one of the G-force line or pull the trigger on a model a couple years old, shown above.

Sorry, almost nobody has skied them. Blizzard still has limited distribution. I liked the 8.7 and 8.1 last year; that and the Elan Mag 82ti were my favorite all-mountain, carver/crud skis.

Pull the trigger on a pair of Sonics and let us know what you think. Lots of good skis out there, the Progressor, 4x4, Supershape Magnum, Mach 3 are all very highly recommend as well.

Village Bike and Ski 541-593-2453 Skis: Kastle, Head, Elan, Stockli, Fischer, Blizzard

2010 Blowout Sale On Now!

#16

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11/21/08 at 8:18pm

Mcgyver29
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Sorry I haven't skied the Blizzards, but the binding system looks very similar to the fusion setup by Elan used in the Speedwave, Mag and Magfire skis. http://www.elanskis.com

#17

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11/22/08 at 5:13am

Philpug
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mcgyver29

Sorry I haven't skied the Blizzards, but the binding system looks very similar to the fusion setup by Elan used in the Speedwave, Mag and Magfire skis. http://www.elanskis.com

Not similar at all. The Fusion system is a heavy metal track which adjusts the binding outward, the IQ is a lot lighter and works with the rails integrated into the ski. The IQ is really closer to the Volkl system than the Elan.

Click. Point. Chute.

#18

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11/24/08 at 5:09am

hbunny
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I've tried the CMX Pro and it was way too much ski for me (an intermediate). It wanted to go way faster than I was comfortable with.

For comparison, I own the Blizzard CMX 11 (2 steps down from the Pro), which I'd say is similar to the Fischer RX8 (based on half a day's demo of the RX8).

The integrated binding does give the Blizzard skis an amazingly low profile.

#19

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11/24/08 at 2:19pm

beyond
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I've only skied the Cronus, which may be the least grippy of the Blizzards over 70mm. IMO its IQ system bites nearly as well as AC4's I owned or 40's I demoed, both with pistons. Can't speak to the 50. More to the point for me, the Cronus will go anywhere happily, while AC's tend to burrow in soft snow, seeking a floor to carve, and they're kinda stiff for bumps or trees. Can't speak to the other Blizzards, but suffice to say that I'm interested in the entire line these days...

#20

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11/24/08 at 2:52pm

epic
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I'm pretty sure I skied the CMX Pro last year at a demo. I remember it being blue though. Is the one you show an earlier graphic? At any rate, did not like. It was stiff and made a good turn in one size, but didn't want to be coaxed into other shapes. It would be fun for going full speed all the time. I'm sure the current generation of front-side Blizzards are much better.

#21

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11/24/08 at 3:01pm

Skier-X85
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Thanks for the input. You all pretty much confirmed my reservations in picking up this ski. This ski is last years model and while it looks great, I think I will wait to see what Blizzard cranks out out over the next couple years before I pull the trigger. Who knows, maybe I can get a good deal next spring on this years models.

I hope that we can keep this thread going for anything and everything related to the "mainstreaming" of Blizzard. See you on the slopes.

#22

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1/2/09 at 6:12pm

joejoejoe
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Skier-X85

Please chime in after you get some time on the Blizzard Sonic IQas this seems like a great choice for many of us who favor something less stiff than the top of the line. I am seriously considering getting a front side Blizzard carver and am unsure if I should wait for one of the G-force line or pull the trigger on a model a couple years old, shown above.

I demoed both the Sonic IQ and the SLR last year on the same day on the same trails and preferred the SLR for carving trenches on hardpack. I guess it depends on whether you want something a bit softer to take in bumps/trees. They are both great - but I much preferred the SLRs for high speed railing on the groomers.

Cheers.

Joe.

#23

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1/18/09 at 9:54am

thinaardvark
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Joined: January 2009
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I liked em so much I bought the CMX Pro IQ

Demoed the red CMX pros in Austria two years ago. Best ski I have ever been on so I got some on ebay last year shipped over from Germany as they don't sell them in England.

Stable at speed and unlike one of the other reviewers one of the things that I really liked was that they seemed happy at any turn radius. Cut thru crud, OK in powder, I got the 2008 lime green graphics.

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