2021 Blizzard Rustler 9

Back for another season of fun-loving all-mountain skiing, the Rustler 9 has become a sought-after ski for those who value versatility. At 94 mm underfoot (at least in the longer lengths) and with its tip and tail rocker profile and Flipcore DRT construction, it has an excellent balance of performance characteristics and abilities. Blizzard uses camber underfoot that is matched with the partial metal laminate. That portion of the ski retains good carving performance and a smooth, stable ride, while lighter, rockered tips and tails allow for easy edge release and a relatively playful feel. We've been testing the Rustler 9 for years now, although somehow it still feels like yesterday that we first saw it. In general, it was developed to provide more a more playful, forgiving skiing experience than their stiffer, more cambered skis like the Brahma and Bonafide, and that remains true for 2021.

Mike Thomas tested the 180 cm length in the Rustler 9. Although he enjoyed skiing it and awarded it high scores, he did mention the 180 cm was a little short for his size and that he would have preferred the 188 cm. It's not surprising then that Mike's high scores (5 out of 5) were for quickness/maneuverability and playfulness, although we also saw versatility and overall impression earning those high scores. "Playful, snappy, and quick. A super fun freeride ski that would be amazing in bumps and trees. Easy to steer, easy to carve, easy to ski." That's a big part of the appeal of the Rustler 9. It's a high performing ski and superbly versatile, while also being relatively easy to ski. Brad Moskowitz opted for the 172 cm length, which he felt was just right. Makes sense, as Brad's a much smaller skier than Mike. More high scores from Brad, including 5 out of 5 for playfulness, torsional stiffness/edge hold, and versatility. None of Brad's scores dropped below 4 out of 5. "Just the right amount of torsional stiffness and ability to rip and rail groomers. Dimensions make it quick, enabling easy edge to edge transitions in tighter trees and bumps. I'd be stoked to try these in pow!" We'll add that they do quite well in powder, although if you're looking for powder-specific performance, the Rustler 10 or 11 may be more appropriate.

Noah Labow had a similar response to Brad after testing the 180 cm length. "Very stable and quick edge to edge. Specialized in medium radius turns, feels very comfortable at a high edge angle. I could ski this ski every day…". That's one of the best compliments we can think of, and we could totally see Noah skiing the Rustler 9 on a daily basis. Jeff Neagle also skied the 180 cm length and was impressed by the versatility of the Rustler 9. "There aren't many other skis that perform this well both on firm snow and in tight, technical un-groomed terrain. In my opinion, it's one of the most well-rounded, balanced all-mountain skis you'll find. I think a huge range of skiers would enjoy it, and it's also approachable for varying ability levels, unlike the Brahma and Bonafide. Those skis are more advanced/expert-only skis, while the Rustler 9 feels much more approachable."

The Rustler 9 has certainly found its home in the ski world and among Blizzard's collection as a whole. Skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski with a high performance ceiling, but one that's less demanding than skis with full sheets of metal, less rocker, or a stiffer flex will be psyched with the Rustler 9. We've yet to put a tester on it that didn't come back to us with positive feedback, which supports the idea that it's a ski that will satisfy a wide range of skiers.