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For 2026, Blizzard regarded on the Rustler 11, which obtained up to date again in 2024, and mentioned “you possibly can’t repair it if it ain’t broke.” I can truly affirm this occurred as I watched it at a Blizzard product assembly in Austria this yr, though it may need been a bit extra nuanced. What did get up to date on the Rustler 11 is the highest sheet, and it’s about time. It’s been fairly some time since Blizzard had a extremely cool prime sheet, however the up to date Rustler 11 means you would possibly truly purchase this ski based mostly on what it appears like and never simply what a unbelievable ski it’s.
This ski stays an amazing possibility for superior skiers that can make you wish to channel your internal FWT champion–it welcomes excessive speeds in unpredictable snow, supplies a stable platform for stomping large airs, and may pivot and slash its manner via the delicate stuff.
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Blizzard Rustler 11 Specs
Measurement skied: 174cm, 180cmLengths out there: 168cm, 174cm, 180cm, 186cm, 192cm Sidecut: 140mm – 112mm – 130mmRadius: 19m (180cm)Profile: Rocker-camber-rockerWeight: 2000g (180cm)
Form, Flex and Building
My pals joke that I ought to put on a disclaimer on my helmet after I ski the Rustlers for individuals to not ask me about my skis on the raise until they need an earful. I obtained to take a look at the Blizzard manufacturing unit in Austria this previous winter and watch the great people of Mittersill truly hand-construct and take a look at every pair of skis popping out of the manufacturing unit. It was tremendous cool, and I swear I solely cried as soon as.Anyway, what stands out in all probability essentially the most in regards to the Rustler 11 is the core building. Blizzard makes use of a expertise they’ve coined the Trueblend Free Woodcore. Reasonably than utilizing one kind of wooden as the bottom core for the ski, Blizzard makes use of 10-20mm vast stringers of beech, poplar, ash, and paulownia which are milled collectively. The stiffest woods are positioned instantly beneath the binding and work with the ski’s excessive reduce to offer flex and stability when a flip is initiated. The size of those stringers are additionally adjusted to the precise ski size, so reasonably than simply utilizing the identical building for a 162cm ski and a 192cm ski, the flex profile is adjusted to every size.
Hanne Lundin
To present the Rustler 11 that reliable stability, the Trueblend core is then layered with Titanal plates. Nonetheless, reasonably than one stable sheet, these plates are segmented into aspect items and a middle piece with the smallest offset in between to permit the ski to have torsional flexion all through a flip. The results of this building is a ski that has a progressive flex from tip to tail that’s tailor-made to the precise size and is tremendous secure with the correct amount of torsional flexion via a flip. Blizzard then makes use of a excessive molecular weight PTex base that retains them operating quick between tunes.
The Rustler 11 nonetheless options the identical normal freeride-friendly form and profile because the older model and two earlier years, with beneficiant tip and tail rocker and a very good quantity of taper each back and front. There’s some camber underfoot for added edge grip and somewhat pop. All of the topsheets on the model’s skis are printed utilizing a discount or digital silkscreen course of that takes 5-7 days to finish earlier than being layered with TPU.
Hanne Lundin
On-Snow Efficiency
The Rustler 11 will reply to any and each concept you’ve ever had about the way you wish to ski and enable you to obtain it. I’ve skied the Rustler 11 often since 2024 and have ridden it in a wide range of situations at fairly a couple of mountains. It’s not fairly my each day driver, but it surely’s shut.
Regardless of being a 114mm-underfoot ski, the Rustler 11 carves unbelievably properly as a result of quantity of torsional flexion within the ski and the damping properties of Titanal. My first time on the up to date model was throughout a chronic early season dry spell at Jackson Gap the place ice moguls and agency groomers had been extra frequent than Jackson’s normal pow days. To my shock, these powder skis carried out unbelievably properly and each time I’ve skied them in related situations, they’ve continued to.
As anticipated, additionally they carry out brilliantly in powder given their vast ideas and tails and 114mm underfoot width. In actual fact, just about any situation you set the Rustler 11 in, it’ll carry out. Testers famous that it “permits the skier confidence, supplies stability, and offers bulletproof readability when snowboarding large strains that in case your quads aren’t making it down, the ski will enable you to get there.”All that being mentioned, the Rustler 11 is an aggressive, steel ski. Those that favor one thing poppier or smearier won’t like its stiffness.
Carter Edwards
Comparisons
You may simply evaluate the Rustler 11 to different aggressive hard-charging skis just like the Rossignol Sender Free 110, Nordica Unleashed 120, and Dynastar M-Free 112. Testers discovered the Rustler 11 to be a bit extra dynamic and playful however equally secure to the Dynastar M-Free 112. Whereas it won’t be fairly as secure because the Sender Free 110, the distinction is barely marginal and what it lacks in confidence inspiring stompage, the Rustler 11 makes up for in versatility and steadiness. Essentially the most related of the bunch, the Unleashed 120 confirmed a choice for shorter, poppier turns whereas the Rustler 11 felt extra impartial.
One tester additionally in contrast the Rustler 11 to a different ski with maybe an identical cult following–the Second Deathwish 112. “I like the 2 skis equally,” he mentioned, “With the Blizzard Rustler being extra burly and higher on-piste, whereas the Deathwish has the sensation of a real freestyle ski that excels in most situations, significantly delicate snow.”
Hanne Lundin
What kind of skier is the Blizzard Rustler 11 finest for?
Blizzard’s Rustler 11 is your final companion for lift-access backcountry and inbounds big-mountain snowboarding. For those who’re the kind of skier chasing Hollywood strains underneath the chair, large cliffs and excessive speeds in steep, dicey terrain, the Rustler 11 won’t disappoint. At mountains like Jackson Gap, Sunshine Village, Alta, Palisades, or Whistler Blackcomb, the Rustler 11 is a do-it all ski for almost each situation that can unlock the most effective terrain yow will discover.
