About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2021.

My take

The Blizzard Zero G 95 is a true lightweight touring ski with the ability to tackle most terrain thrown its way. This ski is ideal for an advanced to expert skier. Lightweight, durability, and high performance make this ski my top choice for long touring days in the backcountry.

About the gear

• Model: 2022 Blizzard Zero G 95
• Size: 178cm

About me

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 160 lbs
• Experience: 20 years of snowboarding/skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: November 2021
• Days tested: 15 days
• Mount position: Recommended line
• Boots: 2022 Tecnica Cochise 120
• Boot Size: 25.5
• Bindings: 2020 Marker Kingpin 13
• Where I’ve used it: I have toured and skied all over the East Coast on this ski. Most of my time, I spent in the sidecountry of resorts like Sugarloaf, ME, with a few days in the White Mountains.
• Terrain: Glades, backcountry terrain, powder, hardpack, resort.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was searching for a ski that I could make a true touring/backcountry-oriented ski. I wanted a light ski that would not tire me on long ski tours and climbs. Also, it was important to find a ski that would be durable and able to take any terrain I threw its way.

Why I chose this gear

I decided on this product due to Blizzard's reputation in the ski touring world. I also had friends who used this ski and spoke very highly of it. I considered a few other skis when searching for a touring setup. Another option was the Atomic Backland 95, but I ultimately chose the Blizzard Zero G due to the deals I found.

What I love about it

• Speed: I never feel uncomfortable on this ski at high speeds. For how light the ski is, I can drive into it and trust it when needed most. The construction of the ski and the inclusion of carbon laminate make the ski very stable at higher speeds. Also the radius allows long fast turns or more technical tight turns if wanted.
• Edge hold: Overall, the Zero G is very impressive when it comes to holding an edge, specifically on icy/firm terrain.I felt this ski made a lot of solid contact in the snow, which makes me really trust its ability in less ideal snow conditions. The 95cm width is right in the sweet spot for handling firm snow conditions, making edge-to-edge skiing really enjoyable.
• Turns: The Zero G turns well at high speeds, as mentioned above, but it also holds its own with tighter turns (in the trees, for example). The weight of this ski allows me to control it and almost overpower the ski to do what I want.
• Groomers: I do not ski these on groomers a ton, but the times that I popped out of a resort's sidecountry back onto the trail were always enjoyable. Doing so showed me how well the ski dimensions were designed.
• Powder: I was fortunate enough to ski these on an 18” powder day and felt they did not let me down. Although it would have been nice to be on a wider ski, I could still float on the snow and enjoy the powder for what it was.
• Trees: Being that they are lightweight, these skis make tree skiing a breeze. I could slash and maneuver through tight Maine trees without an issue.
• Moguls: I never skied legitimate moguls on this ski but did ride plenty of bumpy glades and bump runs. I felt the ski was playful and the right length to tackle bumps in my way.
• Backcountry: This is a phenomenal backcountry ski. They are super lightweight, so touring/climbing into different zones is much more painless. They are very trustworthy on all terrains, which is important when venturing into areas that do not have a true snow/conditions report.
• Durability: I skied these on some very low tide (thin coverage) days and was shocked with the results. I hit rocks, stumps, dirt, etc., but these skis hardly showed signs of damage. With a quick tune-up, they bounce right back to new, ready to ski again.
• Weight: Their weight is by far the best feature of this ski. At just 2,600 grams, these are super lightweight and competitive with any ski in its category weightwise.
• Stability: It’s surprisingly stable and smooth for such a lightweight wood core ski. I never feel like I give up performance for weight when riding these.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Park: I would not recommend these in the park. They are not designed for heavy abuse and would not hold up well hitting rails and boxes. The skis are built to be lightweight, thus losing some of the material necessary for durability in the park. The metal sidewall is thin and the base is not very thick, in comparison to most park skis on the market.
• Switch riding: These do not have much of a twin tip, so I would not recommend getting this ski if one plans to ride switch a lot.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment I spent with my Zero G skis was in the White Mountains of NH around the Mt. Washington area. I was lucky enough to have a really deep snow day and always felt this ski was enough to crush the conditions. When exploring this type of terrain, days are generally long and taxing due to the remoteness of some of the zones I ski. It was so valuable to have a lightweight ski that allowed me to be more efficient on the uphill but not give up performance on the downhill.

Value for the money vs. other options

These skis are certainly not cheap, but if someone wants to venture into the ski touring world, they can’t hold back. I believe these are totally worth the value due to being lightweight, their aesthetics, and overall performance. I contemplated going with the Atomic Backland 95 but found a better deal through Blizzard and have no complaints.

Final verdict

Overall, the Blizzard Zero G 95 is the ideal ski for a true backcountry-oriented touring skier. Lightweight and excellent performance make this ski at the top of my list for their category.