Infamous for being one of the harder-charging skis in the expansive all-mountain category, the unchanged Blizzard Bonafide 97 retains its reputation for 2024. Advanced to expert skiers who ski at the limit and in aggressive applications are stoked to know that this trustworthy ski is back with its same burly build with only a new graphic. At a versatile 97mm at its waist, the Bonafide is fast, stable, strong, and fun (for some that can demand its respect). From driving through the crud, to dragging trenches on hard pack, to maneuvering through fresh powder in the trees, they are the choice for many as a daily driver. With a TrueBlend Wood Core and two sheets of metal, this ski is extremely powerful and dynamic. Intended for skiers who are looking for raw power and strength, the Bonafide 97 is up there with the Volkl Mantra and Nordica Enforcer in regard to these attributes.

Unchanged in terms of construction, the Bonafide only gets a graphic refresh. Built with Blizzard’s TrueBlend All-Mountain Core and 2 Titanal Laminates, the skis are rugged and solid which tip the scales at 4400 grams for the pair at the 177cm length. The Bonafide’s TrueBlend Core consists of a multi-stringer lay-up which uses 7 stringers of Beech and 3 stringers of Poplar. What this construction method does is fine tune the flex pattern of the ski to produce the maximum amount of edge grip when carving and stability when crushing through variable snow conditions. The Titanal laminates add to the ski’s torsional stiffness which directly translates to both edge grip as well as vibration dampening. Combined, the result is a ski that is meant for charging all over the mountain in any condition whether it be fresh or firm snow with an unrelenting stability that can only be provided by the Bonafide and a select few other skis.

The Bonafide is mostly a full camber ski with an all-mountain tip rocker shape and slight tail rocker. This is indicative of its directional orientation. The camber built into its profile supplies lots of energy while driving into turns with the skis releasing that energy at the end, propelling you into the next turn. The Bonafide’s width makes it a ski that is well-suited for a multitude of snow conditions and terrains: 136.5mm in the forebody, 97mm at the waist, and 118.5mm in the tails. This sidecut allows for lots of floatation while also making turn initiation and release smooth and intuitive. Easy turn initiation is necessary for a ski as burly as this one as for some people they can be difficult to engage. However, the tip to tail taper allows for the tips to catch and pull you into your next turn.

So, who is this burly and powerful ski for? Advanced to expert skiers who are looking for an extremely stable ski that can be pushed to the absolute limit. Perhaps to function as a daily driver or one-ski-quiver that can handle whatever snow conditions are occurring. This ski is not for everyone, but for those that it is for, there are not many that are on its level. If you like a ski that has a speed minimum, you may want to consider the 2024 Blizzard Bonafide 97.