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2013 Blizzard Skis Preview

post #1 of 177
1/17/12 at 10:07pm
Thread Starter 

Here are some pictures from our preview show/demo of the 2013 Blizzards. 

 

The acclaimed men's Flipcore series return with some fresh graphics:

 

IMG_0175.JPGFrom left to right: Bodacious, Cochise, Bonafide, Bushwacker and new Gunsmoke

 

Gunsmoke Profile tip & tail:

IMG_0404.jpg

IMG_0405.jpg

 

The Gunsmoke is a new addition to the flip core series. It is a 140/114/130 23M TR twin tip that is positioned to be in the "Resort Powder" segment to of up against the Patron, S7, DPS 112 and such. WHile I didn't have the best conditions to ski the Gunsmoke in, it still carved some pretty good turns on the fresh manmade snow. I will hold the rest until I can perform a complete review on snow that is more applicable for the ski. I do have more pics in my phone of the profile and will add them soon.

 

The ladies pretty much get a complete revamping of their Blizzard for 2013. Starting with the fairer versions of the above Flip cores:

 

IMG_0176.jpg

Left to Right: Dakota (108mm), Samba (98mm) and returning the Black Pearl (88mm)

 

The Dakota is a Cochise for the ladies and will be offered in 170 and 177 lengths. The Samba is a softened up Bonafide in a 159, 166, and 173 lengths. The Black Pearl returns unchanged with an upgraded graphic and will be offered down to a 152cm.

 

 

The Magnum series received a complete upgrade for 2013 with this series also transforming with flip core. While the lengths have stayed the same, the widths have changed too, there are now a 8.5 and two 8.0's, Ti and Ca models and the 8.0 Ca is the woman's Vivi 8.0. The Men's 7.6 and woman's 7.4 return with new graphics and a slight bit of rocker. 

IMG_0172.jpg

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post #2 of 177
1/17/12 at 10:16pm

I skied those 8.0 and 8.5's this week (the ti's).  Really fun skis!  In soft snow, not sure how they will match up to the 8.1/8.7 in hard snow. Most likely more forgiving, with hopefully no loss in performance.   The new ski designed to compete with the S7 (gunsmoke) I didn't get to try yet.  The 8.5 ti feels like it will be the ticket (over the Bushwacker) for more aggressive skiers who want high-end frontside performance yet still a versatile ski.  When I get my pairs, I will post some detailed reviews.  

 

I was bummed they didn't come out with a flipcore (non metal, but stiffer than the Bushwacker) version of The One.  Instead, they went that width with a touring/tele ski.  Rep said it was really light and probably not great for resort use. 

 

I was glad to see they kept their lineup nice and simple. Not too many skis, and not too much crossover.  Perhaps the 8.5 ti and Bushwacker have a bit of crossover, but they are for different skiers and different hills. 

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post #3 of 177
1/17/12 at 10:50pm

drool.gif

I'm really sorry I missed this.  Was (and still am) looking forward to skiing the Samba and Dakota, not to mention the new front side line up.   popcorn.gif

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post #4 of 177
1/17/12 at 11:10pm

The new graphics are pretty sick across the board and that lineup looks really tight and well executed--Blizzard is certainly on a roll!

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post #5 of 177
1/18/12 at 4:02am

looks like Blizzard is again hitting it in full stride. Don't mess with a proven entity and adding smartly to the line. The Graphics are bold and vibrant; although I like mine from this season, the new color scheme is fantastic and is an improvement. The 8 and 8.5 look to be some great new additions and as Dawg reports, that 8.5 peaked my interest as a nice western front side ski.  The Gunsmoke (love that name) is interesting but needs to be tested on its home turf.  I still think I could find a slot in my quiver for the Cochise or the 8.5.....  and I am starting to justify it in my mind by playing the sympathy card......biggrin.gif

 

thanks! 

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post #6 of 177
1/18/12 at 4:38am

Can you tell us the size of the gunsmoke? which is pretty much the perfect dimension for EC tree skiing while there is snow.

 

also what about a flipped cored the one?

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post #7 of 177
1/18/12 at 4:55am

My two favourite skis this year are the Bonifide and the Volkl Mantra. Do you know if the dimensions and construction remains the same for the 2013 Bonifide?

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post #8 of 177
1/18/12 at 6:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA View Post

Can you tell us the size of the gunsmoke? which is pretty much the perfect dimension for EC tree skiing while there is snow.

 

also what about a flipped cored the one?


Someone  will correct me if I"m wrong, but (if I understood it correctly) The One is not in the line up this year.  

 



Quote:
Originally Posted by DanoT View Post

My two favourite skis this year are the Bonifide and the Volkl Mantra. Do you know if the dimensions and construction remains the same for the 2013 Bonifide?


The Bonafide has the same dims as last year but has a little less metal.   

 

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post #9 of 177
1/18/12 at 6:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA View Post

Can you tell us the size of the gunsmoke? which is pretty much the perfect dimension for EC tree skiing while there is snow.

 

also what about a flipped cored the one?



Gunsmoke is going to come in a 179 and 186. I added profile pics of the ski so you can see the tip and tail rise. 

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post #10 of 177
1/18/12 at 7:16am

whats the stiffness of the gunsmoke?  compared to say the patron.

 

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post #11 of 177
1/18/12 at 7:19am

Thanks Phil a fair bit of run/rise in that tail with what appears to be about "normal" camber?  Is this correct?

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post #12 of 177
1/18/12 at 8:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finndog View Post

Thanks Phil a fair bit of run/rise in that tail with what appears to be about "normal" camber?  Is this correct?



Too much camber.

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post #13 of 177
1/18/12 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovethesteeps View Post

The new graphics are pretty sick across the board and that lineup looks really tight and well executed--Blizzard is certainly on a roll!



Yeah, I'm still getting a sick feeling looking at the '13 Bull line....

 

The Mag 8.5 does look a bit interesting though......

 

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post #14 of 177
1/18/12 at 8:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekchick View Post


Someone  will correct me if I"m wrong, but (if I understood it correctly) The One is not in the line up this year.  

 

 

 



A local Blizzard rep told me at ABasin last summer (heh, I like saying that) that they were not bringing back the One/Crush/etc for 2013, so I think you are correct.

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post #15 of 177
1/18/12 at 8:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ptex1 View Post

whats the stiffness of the gunsmoke?  compared to say the patron.

 


While I cannot flex the two back to back, I just flexed a Patron and they feel similar

 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Finndog View Post

Thanks Phil a fair bit of run/rise in that tail with what appears to be about "normal" camber?  Is this correct?


Normal camber, I will get a pair in my hands w/in a week and do some measuring to compare it to the DPS, Patron and S7

 

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post #16 of 177
1/18/12 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekchick View Post


Someone  will correct me if I"m wrong, but (if I understood it correctly) The One is not in the line up this year.  

 


The Bonafide has the same dims as last year but has a little less metal.   

 



Treckchick, are you positive that next years Bonafied has less metal in it? Why would they do that? How about adding a sheet to the Bushwacker.....

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post #17 of 177
1/18/12 at 9:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikonfme View Post



Treckchick, are you positive that next years Bonafied has less metal in it?...How about adding a sheet to the Bushwacker.....


Bonafide is the same ski as last year with the same amount of metal. The Kibuki (sp?) has the same dimensions with less metal, think if it as a Bushwacker  with Bonafide dimensions, dare I say a "Bonewacker". 

 

RE: the Bushwacker with metal..the Magnum 8.5 is almost that ski, think of the Bushwacker going to the gym working out on P90X and slimming down to a svelte 85mm. 

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post #18 of 177
1/18/12 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philpug View Post


 dare I say a "Bonewacker". 

 

 



You dared.

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post #19 of 177
1/18/12 at 10:01am

So, the 8.7magnum is gone?

What's the shape of the 8.5? Early tip rise with normal camber underfoot?

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post #20 of 177
1/18/12 at 10:11am

A quick edit i made with some shots of the gunsmoke's rocker profile on snow...Fun skis.

 

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post #21 of 177
1/18/12 at 10:42am

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgcatching View Post

I skied those 8.0 and 8.5's this week (the ti's).  Really fun skis!  In soft snow, not sure how they will match up to the 8.1/8.7 in hard snow. Most likely more forgiving, with hopefully no loss in performance.  ... The 8.5 ti feels like it will be the ticket (over the Bushwacker) for more aggressive skiers who want high-end frontside performance yet still a versatile ski.  When I get my pairs, I will post some detailed reviews.  

I'll infer the 8.0 CA version isn't as stiff as the TI so the better choice for 140lb'ers like me. Having skied them would you say that's a moot point with the TI version by virtue of its flip core design, so a ok choice with better hard snow performance for advanced lightweight skiers?

Quote:

The Magnum series received a complete upgrade for 2013 with this series also transforming with flip core. While the lengths have stayed the same, the widths have changed too, there are now a 8.5 and two 8.0's, Ti and Ca models and the 8.0 Ca is the woman's Vivi 8.0. The Men's 7.6 and woman's 7.4 return with new graphics and a slight bit of rocker. 

IMG_0172.jpg

Is that a "IQ" slider built into the 7.6 and if so is it also Flip Core like the 8.5/8.0 series?
 

 

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post #22 of 177
1/18/12 at 11:01am

While I like my 2011/12 Cochise top sheets, I do have to say that next year's top sheet graphics are definitely an improvement.  Nice look.  Curious about the Gunsmoke - looks like it has a lot of camber for a resort powder ski.  What lengths will it come in?

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post #23 of 177
1/18/12 at 11:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by neonorchid View Post

Quote:

I'll infer the 8.0 CA version isn't as stiff as the TI so the better choice for 140lb'ers like me. Having skied them would you say that's a moot point with the TI version by virtue of its flip core design, so a ok choice with better hard snow performance for advanced lightweight skiers?

Quote:

Is that a "IQ" slider built into the 7.6 and if so is it also Flip Core like the 8.5/8.0 series?
 

 


The CA might be a better choice for you depending on how aggressive you ski. I did ski it and it was a pretty nimble ski yet it still has a good amount of bite. 

 

The 7.6 does return with pretty much unchanged. 

 

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post #24 of 177
1/18/12 at 11:21am

Kris-    How did the Gunsmoke skied on the Squaw groomers?  Should be a fun ski on a proper day....  Any comparison of the Kabooki to the Bonafides?  

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by fatkid View Post

A quick edit i made with some shots of the gunsmoke's rocker profile on snow...Fun skis.

 



 

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post #25 of 177
1/18/12 at 11:30am

And the Bodacious loses the Kneissel Star. The Gun Smoke looks to answer all the questions about a ski like the Bodacious with a little more turn radius.  Should be a great addition to the line up! Now if it were 104'ish, It'd be my telemark ride!

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post #26 of 177
1/18/12 at 11:56am

It looks like the 8.0 and the 8.5 do not have the IQ Max mounting system; would they then also be sold flat/without those silly fixed heel bindings?

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post #27 of 177
1/18/12 at 12:06pm

Is the g power line gone ?

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post #28 of 177
1/18/12 at 1:06pm


So this was from another thread a few months ago:

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by wasatchback View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA View Post

guys there is a flipcore twin tips 105 and 95 mm twins coming out soon with softer flexes. If blizzard want me to review them......

 

Actually there aren't.... There will be some softer skis but those won't be their waste widths.  



Is the Kibuki (Kabuki?) you mention below perhaps one of the skis wasatchback referred to?  Is the Kabuki a twin, or a flat tail?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Philpug View Post

Bonafide is the same ski as last year with the same amount of metal. The Kibuki (sp?) has the same dimensions with less metal, think if it as a Bushwacker  with Bonafide dimensions, dare I say a "Bonewacker". 

 

 

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post #29 of 177
1/18/12 at 1:20pm

Kabookie is 98mm underfoot according to the video above.  "Lightweight" - so is this intended as more of a back country / touring version of the bonafide?

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post #30 of 177
1/18/12 at 1:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayT View Post

Kabookie is 98mm underfoot according to the video above.  "Lightweight" - so is this intended as more of a back country / touring version of the bonafide?



does it have a twin?

 

Blizzard is missing the boat by not making an entire line of flipcore twins IMO.

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