Expert Review: Blizzard Cochise 106 Skis · 2021

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in March of 2022.

My take

The Blizzard Cochise 106 Skis are the perfect daily driver hard-charging western region resort skis. They are built to last and conquer uneven terrain all over the mountain. These skis are great for the advanced or larger skier who loves all-mountain, no matter the conditions.

About the skis

• Model: 2022 Blizzard Cochise 106 Skis
• Size: 177cm

About me

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 150lbs
• Experience: 22 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: March 2022
• Days tested: 10
• Mount position: 2cm forward of manufacturer recommended
• Boots: Tecnica Mach1 LV 130
• Boot Size: 26.5
• Bindings: 2022 Marker Griffon ID 13
• Where I’ve used it: Utah, Colorado
• Terrain: Powder, Groomers, Moguls, Steeps, Chunk, Park

How they perform

What I was looking for

I wanted a ski that was best for going fast through any type of terrain. I also wanted a ski that was meant for powder most days but something that was still stable on the groomers.

Why I chose this gear

I chose this ski because of the versatility that it offers. It blurs the line between an all-mountain ski and a powder ski. Stable and firm yet wide enough to float in most powder. I also considered the Blizzard Rustler 10s and the Faction Prodigy 3.0s. Ultimately, I chose the Cochise skis because of their stiff construction, which I knew would be the most stable option for variable and uneven terrain.

What I love about them

• Speed: This modern ski shape, coupled with a rocker, camber, and rocker design, allows these skis to perform really well at high speeds. Titanal sidewalls help keep the skis stable regardless of the snow condition.
• Edge hold: Edge hold performs well overall. The turn radius on these skis is large at 22.5 for the 177cm length, so long turns are essential to keep an edge.
• Powder: Even though these skis are quite heavy compared to most similar all-mountain skis, they perform great in powder with ideal float. This is mostly due to the carbon Flipcore construction.
• Trees: This ski performs well in trees and variable terrain. These skis have a moderate amount of effective edge, so a shorter ski can turn faster in the trees.
• Moguls: This ski performs well in the moguls. Even considering that wider skis often are harder to ski moguls on than skinner skis, I don’t feel too much contact between skis. Same as for trees, but a shorter ski will be able to turn faster in the moguls as well.
• Durability: These skis are built to last. Titanal laminates and sidewalls make this ski bulletproof.
• Stability: No chatter at high speeds unless performing a sharp turn, then a small amount of chatter occurs. As long as I stay with a longer carve, the skis are stable on chunk, crud, and hardpack. They don’t have a lot of bend, so buttering and pop are limited.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Turns: This ski is meant to go fast and straight. There is some chatter on short, quick turns because of the long turn radius that these skis have.
• Groomers: Because of the long turn radius, steep groomers are not ideal because to stay in control, tighter turns are needed. This ski is great on a moderate low-angle groomer, where I can perform longer turns.
• Park: The Cochise 106 is definitely more of a directional ski. It does have a partial twin on the tail, but it doesn’t perform the same as a full twin-tip ski. The sidewalls have a titanal sidewall construction, saving my edges after trying a few rails. I feel confident these will last a while in the park, even if they are not ideal for it.
• Backcountry: These skis are heavy with metal laminates, making them ideal for downhill, not uphill. I wouldn’t want to backcountry in these unless I’m hitting the sidecountry off a lift-accessed area.
• Weight: The weight of the ski does have a small effect on the ability to float in powder. Its heavy design is best for chunk, crud, and stability.
• Switch riding: I have tried riding switch and did catch my tail because of the non-twin-tip tail shape. They are directional skis and are better suited for staying forwards.

Favorite moment with this gear

I really felt the impact of these skis when I showed up late to a powder day at Snowbird Resort in Utah. There were a lot of tracks already through the fresh snow, but still some great snow conditions. The uneven fresh snow was no match for these skis. I could turn and crush this terrain better than ever before and still had a great day.

Value for the money vs. other options

These skis are slightly more expensive than some freeride-type skis like the Blizzard Rustlers 10 and Faction Prodigy 3 skis but are comparable to other all-mountain skis with titanal construction. Because they are similar in price to other all-mountain skis and this ski can be a one-ski quiver, I think their value is worth the price tag. If I was more of a park freestyle skier, there are some other options that I would choose instead that would be a better value.

Final verdict

The Blizzard Cochise 106 skis unlock skiing at new higher speeds. They boost confidence when conditions are not ideal and are great for all over the mountain any day of the year.