2022 Blizzard Brahma 82

More than most skis out there, the Blizzard Brahma 82 best blurs the line between a front side and all-mountain ski. If you are in the boat of not knowing where you lie in this spectrum, and don’t know what ski to get, the Brahma 82 is likely the correct choice. Built with a wood core and two sheets of metal, the Blizzard Brahma 82 is rugged and tough. Now with True Blend for 2022, we’re seeing a bit more flex but still a ton of grip. Regardless, the ski retains the same strength and power that have made it a fan favorite for narrower all-mountain skis. If you want something that carves like a race ski but still has a bunch of all-mountain versatility, the Brahma 82 is an amazing choice. The 173 cm length boasts a 15-meter turn radius, and that’s on the short side for all-mountain skis, and they will make some of the quickest and roundest short-swing turns around.

On the 180, John McIntosh noted that it was a good length for him and that it skied true to size. Mostly 4’s on the scorecard for John, with a few 3’s sprinkled in for flotation, playfulness, and forgiveness, as these are not qualities that are typically found in narrow, stiff, and somewhat heavy skis like the Brahma 82. The 4’s for versatility and overall impression are certainly nice to see. John picks up on the addition of the True Blend, noting that the “True blend technology added for 2022 makes this ski a bit more accessible. Still a very powerful ski, it has become a bit more playful and versatile for your average expert bear!” The power certainly does stand out with these skis, especially on the tail side of the turn. Ever since the first day I skied it, I've been a pretty big fan of the Brahma 82, and this version just takes it to the next level. Jeff Neagle was also on the 180, noting that it was a good size and skied true. He scored the ski 5’s out of 5 for torsional stiffness and edge grip, with a 3 for forgiveness and playfulness, showing the ski’s preference for firmer snow and a carved turn. “To be honest, I was slightly disappointed we didn't get the True Blend update for the 2021 Brahma 82, but now we have it, so that doesn't matter anymore. The tweaked construction feels just that much better, but it still has all the characteristics that made me like it in the first place. Rips carving turns at high speeds, but feels nimble and fun when you don't want to ski at Mach 5. I also like skis like this that kind of cross over between frontside carving and bumps. Narrow skis carve well, but narrow skis are also great in the bumps. Its edge-to-edge quickness and the fact that you have a lower center of gravity compared to a system ski makes it feel a lot more playful than most skis in this width range.”

Bob St.Pierre would like a crack at the 187, noting that his 180 cm test length was on the short side. It did not, however, lack for torsional stiffness and edge grip scores, with those categories earning 5’s out of 5. Also getting the 5 was stability, as these beefy skis surely bring the power to the turn. Lower scores of 2 out of 5 for flotation, playfulness, and forgiveness are not terribly shocking. “I was such a big fan of the Brahma 88 in the 183, that I should have skied that last, with this before it. While I certainly see the merits of the 82 for a huge number of skiers, I just can’t get out of my own head in comparing it to the 88. I suppose that if I only skied on hard snow, I’d take the 82, and I think that should be true for a majority of skiers. 82 mm underfoot is plenty wide for most days and conditions, and the build of this ski offers endless edge grip and control.” It’s hard not to compare it to its wider brother, especially now that they share the same construction.

A lot of skiers will describe their stats and application of the ski when searching, and then end up getting something wider on the off-chance that they ski on a snowy day. More skiers would be better-served on a narrower all-mountain ski like the Brahma 82, as it’s more conditions-appropriate for much of the skiing population. You can always buy a wider ski to complement it, and that’s just fine with us.