2022 Blizzard Zero G 105

On the wider side of Blizzard’s touring line is the Zero G 105. This wide-bodied backcountry ski is both light and energetic at the same time, allowing skiers to be efficient on the ups and aggressive on the downs. The 105 is a great width and shape for touring, even if it’s slightly on the wide side for uphill strides, you more than make up for it in flotation and downhill performance. In the touring world, it’s all about blending and blurring the lines between those attributes, and the 2022 Blizzard Zero G 105 does it as good as any alpine touring ski out there. When paired with either a light weight tech binding or more of a hybrid style one, you’re sure to get a lot of performance out of them, making the ski your go-to model for snowy adventure days. The shape also provides for a bit longer of a turn radius, with the 180 cm length generating a 23-meter turn radius, the skis have the nice straight cut that makes the climb a lot more efficient as well as a smoother downhill personality that doesn’t hook or grab you through the turns.

Built with a paulownia wood core and Blizzard’s Carbon Drive 2.0, the skis use a lot of material in a very efficient way. The paulownia is light and energetic, while the carbon adds stiffness to the build, creating stronger performance without the weight. In addition, they also put in their carbon reinforcement plates that serve both as a binding retention zone as well as more carbon underfoot for a boost of torsional stiffness and edge grip. In the 180, these skis are 1530 grams per ski, so it’s a pretty light and floaty ski for sure. Tip and tail rocker complete this profile, with skin fixations in the tail to keep your climb moving along. Less rocker in the tail as well leads to better grip on the ups, and allows for a bit of playfulness through the powder on the descents.

Marcus Shakun skis the 188 and notes that it is perfect for him. He scored a top mark of 5 out of 5 for flotation, and 4’s for stability, forgiveness, torsional stiffness, edge grip, versatility, and overall impression. Quickness, maneuverability, and playfulness were all 3’s. This is a nice and high-level of score from Marcus for the 2022 Blizzard Zero G 105, and it’s really nice to hear that these light weight skis have so much going for them. He calls the 105 a “Light Weight Power House So nice to have a light but powerful touring ski. Not that is overly aggressive, but it is just all there when you need it without all weight and materials. It isn’t overly quick edge to edge. I did find you can drive the shovel in and squeak some quicker turns if you power it. In the heavier dense snow or deep powder this ski really nails it. No question how stable it is and how well it pushes through without any limitations. Its lightness makes it also very maneuverable through the woods as you bounce from pocket to pocket of soft snow. Nice smooth ride on the groomers it has a denser plush ride. Holds really well on harder snow with its full side wall construction. so confident and stable under foot. On really hard conditions I felt the ski a bit more. Really more chatter and vibration than anything...the result of a light weight wider touring ski. Also, it’s not meant for everyday resort skiing I would say an 80 to 85% backcountry Advanced/Expert Backcountry skier looking to adventure off trail or early morning skins. Tours well and balanced for a wider touring ski and lighter than most narrower skis in this category.”

The 2022 Blizzard Zero 105 has a lot of balance and power going for it for a ski that’s so light. Easy on the ups and fun on the downs, these skis will take you to the ends of the snowy earth. From craggy and distant peaks to the local hills and everywhere in between, the Blizzard Zero G 105 is the right tool for the job, especially when the snow gets deep and fun.