SKI TEST 2021
BLIZZARD ZERO G 85 * POWDER
BEST FOR: Ski mountaineering and multi-day spring tours
At first, this “skinny” ski may look as if you’re touring on “matchsticks,” as Heather MacMillan put it, but any concerns go away quickly, whether going up, down or across. There’s no denying the 85mm waist is considered narrow in today’s wide world of powder. At just over one kg per ski, (250g more with a Marker Alpinist binding) it felt weightless on the legs; not a reassuring feeling if you’re a big boy bombing a groomer or sliding into a spring couloir but plenty for confident, lithe skiers. As well, Blizzard has tinkered with this AT favourite offering several iterations. A couple turns in and it becomes obvious that these matchsticks are up to just about any task. A carbon overlay and full sidewall give the ski stability and grip. Generous rocker in the tip and tail adds surprising float. And the name says it all: it’s almost effortless on the uphill which offers the user more energy at the summit—and more summits. They’re far more versatile than 85mm would suggest. Without even testing the sister widths of 95 and 105mm, MacMillan said, “I don’t think I can ever go back to ‘regular’ skis.” blizzardsports.com
LENGTHS: 150, 157, 164, 171, 178
DIMENSIONS: 115/85/99 @ 164
RADIUS: 19 @ 164
WEIGHT: 1.1 kg
OTHER MODELS: 105, 95
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $840
