Review: Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2024
By Curated Experts
Jake Renner, Bryant Leech and Joe D
8 photos
The Curated Take
4.4/5
The Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis are ideal for intermediate to expert-level skiers seeking versatility in all-mountain terrain. With a 96mm waist, they balance groomed runs and off-piste exploration. The construction includes a lightweight wood core, carbon, fiberglass, and titanal metal, providing stability, responsiveness, and a damp ride at high speeds. The rocker-camber-rocker profile enhances flotation in powder and agility in soft snow while maintaining reliable edge hold on groomed runs. However, they may not be ideal for deep powder or frequent park use. Overall, the Rustler 9 excels in various conditions and terrain.
Ideal for
- Smooth, quick, and intuitive edge-to-edge transition with superior edge hold allows this ski to feel at the top of the class regarding carving
- Damp build with metal in the core keeps this ski feeling stable at higher speeds and in chop
- Added early rise/rocker in the nose allows this ski to plow through choppy terrain, light powder, and variable snow conditions
Not ideal for
- Not a whole lot of tail rocker and metal in the core has this ski feeling a bit unforgiving to hit jumps with
- 96mm underfoot doesn't offer enough float for the deeper snow days or a true powder day
Flotation
The Rustler 9 offers less float at 96mm underfoot than its big brother, the Rustler 10, at 104mm. The Rustler 9 performs well in fresh snow less than 10-12" or...Read more
It's a bold call to say this is the best floater of any 90mm ski available, but I don't think I am wildly off. This ski does great in soft...Read more
The Rustler 9 sits at 96mm underfoot for most sizes. It does move up to 98mm in the 186cm. Given the width of the ski, it provides great flotation in...Read more
Carving
At 96mm underfoot and a 17m turn radius in 180cm length keeps a smile on my face for sure. This is a versatile all-mountain ski with a nod toward performance...Read more
The Rustler 9 does impressively well on groomed slopes for a ski with a lot of rocker. This ski can be driven in a forward stance, but ideally, skiers should...Read more
The Rustler 9 is not my first choice for carving. That being said, I think it holds its own as a carver. The Trueblend core gives it stability underfoot for...Read more
High Speed Stability
The construction of the Rustler 9 skis focuses on a blend of stability and responsiveness. They feature a blend of woods in the core combined with carbon, fiberglass, and titanal...Read more
This ski isn't designed for high-speed GS turns on groomed slopes. Skiers can probably take it just as fast down a chopped-up bump run as they feel comfortable down a...Read more
The stability will be more than enough for most skiers, but if someone pushes their skis hard, they might want something a bit stiffer. The Trueblend wood core and FluxForm...Read more
Playfulness
A firm flex rating mixed with the rocker profile that only includes a partial tail rocker creates a more traditional ski feel than today's twin tips. It's not the most...Read more
The previous generations of Rustlers were playful, which was a far cry from much of the rest of the Blizzard lineup. I would say Blizzard has narrowed the gap a...Read more
The Rustler 9 is playful for what it is. Given its construction, the ski is nimble and quick. It is a great option for off-piste skiing and skis well in...Read more
Durability
Well built, the Rustler 9 offers stability, versatility, and durability regarding on-hill performance. Titanal metal in the core helps to keep the ski damp and firm even at super high...Read more
I owned the previous Rustler 9 and put more days on those than this current version. Both skis are in great condition, besides some small scratches on the topsheet. I...Read more
Turn Ease
The Rustler 9 skis from Blizzard are a versatile all-mountain option that combines performance and maneuverability across various terrain and conditions. With a waist width of 96mm, they offer a...Read more
This ski's rocker profile and dynamic core allow for easy turning in a wide variety of conditions. Whether smashing through bumps or ripping groomers, this ski's shape allows for quick...Read more
The Blizzard Rustler 9 is smooth in and out of turns. The ski has a bit of tip and tail rocker, making the turn initiation easier. I think the ski...Read more
Versatility
In terms of on-snow performance, the Rustler 9 skis excel in a wide range of conditions. Their rocker-camber-rocker profile, with tip and tail rocker and light camber underfoot, provides versatility...Read more
Versatility is where the Rustler 9 truly shines. It is my favorite jack-of-all-trades ski that I own. It has performed above expectations on every terrain and condition I have skied...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Bryant Leech
Joe D
About the ski gear
- Model: Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2025
Test conditions
- What type of conditions I've used these: Bumps, powder, groomers, chop
- Where I’ve used them: Alta, UT and Brighton, UT
- How many times I've used it: 4
Expert Reviews of the Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis
Jake Renner The Rustler 9 skis from Blizzard are a versatile all-mountain option that combines performance and maneuverability across various terrain and conditions. With a waist width of 96mm, they offer a good balance between groomed runs and off-piste exploration.
The construction of the Rustler 9 skis focuses on a blend of stability and responsiveness. They feature a lightweight wood core combined with carbon and fiberglass layers and a layer of titanal metal, resulting in a lively and energetic ride. This construction allows quick and precise turn initiation while maintaining stability at higher speeds.
Regarding on-snow performance, the Rustler 9 skis excel in a wide range of conditions. Their rocker profile, with full tip and a touch of tail rocker while lightly camber underfoot, provides versatility and performance. The rocker profile enhances floatation in powder and makes them more nimble in soft snow, while the touch of camber underfoot ensures reliable edge hold and stability on groomed runs. Easy to slash and carve with and feels a bit surfier, thanks to the light amount of camber underfoot, and keeps this ski feeling easy to pivot with if in the bumps or off-piste.
The Rustler 9 skis offer a good balance between carving and maneuverability. They can make smooth and controlled turns on groomed runs while agile enough for moguls and off-piste exploration. The ski's moderate flex pattern and responsive nature make it enjoyable for skiers of varying skill levels.
Bryant Leech One would be hard-pressed to dream up a design better than the newly renovated Rustler 9. With ample rocker tip and tail and a full sheet of metal underfoot, it provides enough grip on firm snow to be a nice groomer ski. However, the ample rocker profile makes it likely my favorite ~90mm ski in powder because it eats that stuff up. With a waist width in the mid-90s, it also could be used as a park ski, but skiers should only find themselves there occasionally as there are better options for frequent park riders. The Rustler does nice in various conditions, and I believe it should be on many skiers' lists for consideration.
Joe D The Rustler 9 is the jack-of-all-trades for mid-width all-mountain skis. With a redesign of the model for 2024, Blizzard improved an already excellent ski. The Rustler 9 dominates almost every area of terrain and every condition one can throw at it. It is an ideal ski for intermediate to expert-level skiers looking for an all-mountain option. The Trueblend wood core and the FluxForm titanal layout are the two big features that stand out. The Trueblend wood core keeps the ski stiffer underfoot and progressively softens towards the tips and tails. It provides a great freeride feel and lets the Rustler ski a little more on the playful side. The metal in this ski is laid out in two strips that go down each side of the ski but stop right at the tip and tail. This gives the Rustler great edge hold without pushing it to be overly aggressive. This is hands down my favorite ski for 2024. It has been an absolute blast to ski, and it meets my needs perfectly.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2025 |
| Ski type | All Mountain, Freeride |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Flotation
4/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. The Rustler 9 offers less float at 96mm underfoot than its big brother, the Rustler 10, at 104mm. The Rustler 9 performs well in fresh snow less than 10-12" or so in depth. However, if someone plans on skiing deeper powder, I'd recommend bumping it up to a ski that's a touch wider underfoot, like the Blizzard Rustler 10. The rocker profile of the Rustler is very conducive to handling ungroomed and off-piste conditions, making it easy to pivot and turn while in powder and fresh snow. All in all, they are 4/5 for float as they keep on top of the snow better than the average ski at this same width underfoot.
Bryant Leech gave 5 of 5 stars. It's a bold call to say this is the best floater of any 90mm ski available, but I don't think I am wildly off. This ski does great in soft snow, period. However, I think where it really shines is when the snow starts to get chopped up. That's where the stout-ish flex pattern easily helps blast through crud and bumps. Skiers will enjoy themselves on a powder day with this ski.
Joe D gave 4 of 5 stars. The Rustler 9 sits at 96mm underfoot for most sizes. It does move up to 98mm in the 186cm. Given the width of the ski, it provides great flotation in moderate amounts of fresh snow. The additional tip and tail rocker in the new design helps accomplish that. It is ideal for me in the Northeast. I’d go up to the Rustler 10 or 11 for those skiing deep powder.
Carving
4/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. At 96mm underfoot and a 17m turn radius in 180cm length keeps a smile on my face for sure. This is a versatile all-mountain ski with a nod toward performance downhill racing. Lively and smooth edge-to-edge transition, supremely stable and damp at high speed, and a relatively nimble turn radius earn this ski a 5/5 concerning carving. They hold their edge extremely well, even on ice and hardpacked snow, thanks to the light touch of camber underfoot.
Bryant Leech gave 3 of 5 stars. The Rustler 9 does impressively well on groomed slopes for a ski with a lot of rocker. This ski can be driven in a forward stance, but ideally, skiers should be 1. on a length appropriate for their size and 2. enjoy a bit more of a centered stance on their ski. This is not a race-inspired ski, but it's a great choice if someone wants a ski that can rip and eat up variable terrain.
Joe D gave 4 of 5 stars. The Rustler 9 is not my first choice for carving. That being said, I think it holds its own as a carver. The Trueblend core gives it stability underfoot for good edge hold. This is a good choice for somebody looking for more versatility while still maintaining the ability to carve up groomers.
High Speed Stability
4/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. The construction of the Rustler 9 skis focuses on a blend of stability and responsiveness. They feature a blend of woods in the core combined with carbon, fiberglass, and titanal metal layers, resulting in a lively and energetic ride. This construction allows quick and precise turn initiation while maintaining stability at higher speeds and in variable snow conditions.
Bryant Leech gave 4 of 5 stars. This ski isn't designed for high-speed GS turns on groomed slopes. Skiers can probably take it just as fast down a chopped-up bump run as they feel comfortable down a chopped-up groomer, but in this category, I think it certainly can handle some speed compared to other options. They hold a great, confidence-inspiring edge but, due to the construction, are prone to tip flapping.
Joe D gave 4 of 5 stars. The stability will be more than enough for most skiers, but if someone pushes their skis hard, they might want something a bit stiffer. The Trueblend wood core and FluxForm titanal layout keeps the Rustler stiff underfoot and a little softer in the tips and tails. Skiers might get some chatter once they push 45-50+ mph.
Playfulness
4/5
Jake Renner gave 3 of 5 stars. A firm flex rating mixed with the rocker profile that only includes a partial tail rocker creates a more traditional ski feel than today's twin tips. It's not the most playful ski, but also not the most rigid and unforgiving. Skiers can get away with jumping and landing with minimal freestyle maneuvers. Still, I would only lean into them a little if they enjoy frequenting the terrain park. Titanal metal makes this ski feel more intuitive to have in contact with the snow. It's not ideal for jumping, buttering, pressing, or jibbing, but skiers can get away with it.
Bryant Leech gave 4 of 5 stars. The previous generations of Rustlers were playful, which was a far cry from much of the rest of the Blizzard lineup. I would say Blizzard has narrowed the gap a lot here with this ski having a pretty nice little balance of being playful enough while having much more horsepower when on groomers. Are there more playful skis out there? Yes, but do they perform as well across conditions and terrain types? Skiers would be hard-pressed to find.
Joe D gave 5 of 5 stars. The Rustler 9 is playful for what it is. Given its construction, the ski is nimble and quick. It is a great option for off-piste skiing and skis well in moguls. The addition of a little more rocker on this year’s model aids in making the ski a little more playful.
Durability
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. Well built, the Rustler 9 offers stability, versatility, and durability regarding on-hill performance. Titanal metal in the core helps to keep the ski damp and firm even at super high speeds or in choppy snow. Due to the solid construction, this ski is really built to last for many seasons. I gave it 5/5 for durability. Keep up the great work, Blizzard.
Joe D gave 5 of 5 stars. I owned the previous Rustler 9 and put more days on those than this current version. Both skis are in great condition, besides some small scratches on the topsheet. I have never seen any major issues with Blizzard products, and the skis feel like they are built to last.
Turn Ease
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. The Rustler 9 skis from Blizzard are a versatile all-mountain option that combines performance and maneuverability across various terrain and conditions. With a waist width of 96mm, they offer a good balance between groomed runs and off-piste exploration. The rocker profile also helps to keep this ski easy to pivot while in ungroomed terrain. A 17m turn radius at 180cm length and 96mm underfoot results in a nimble ski that doesn't have to leave the ground to accommodate tight turns or slashes.
Bryant Leech gave 5 of 5 stars. This ski's rocker profile and dynamic core allow for easy turning in a wide variety of conditions. Whether smashing through bumps or ripping groomers, this ski's shape allows for quick and easy edge release. I recommend sizing up if a skier is between sizes, as this ski is short on groomers due to its heavy rocker profile.
Joe D gave 5 of 5 stars. The Blizzard Rustler 9 is smooth in and out of turns. The ski has a bit of tip and tail rocker, making the turn initiation easier. I think the ski just feels really smooth in a variety of turn shapes. It is a great option for intermediates up to advanced-level skiers.
Versatility
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. In terms of on-snow performance, the Rustler 9 skis excel in a wide range of conditions. Their rocker-camber-rocker profile, with tip and tail rocker and light camber underfoot, provides versatility and performance. The tip and tail rocker enhances flotation in powder and makes them nimble in soft snow. At the same time, the camber underfoot ensures reliable edge hold and stability on groomed runs. The Rustler 9 skis offer a good balance between carving and maneuverability. They can make smooth, controlled turns on groomed runs while agile enough for moguls and off-piste exploration. The ski's moderate flex pattern and responsive nature make it enjoyable for skiers of varying skill levels.
Joe D gave 5 of 5 stars. Versatility is where the Rustler 9 truly shines. It is my favorite jack-of-all-trades ski that I own. It has performed above expectations on every terrain and condition I have skied it on.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Jake Renner My favorite moment with the Blizzard Rustler 9 was when my buddy, Hayden Wright, and I got the chance to take them out later in the day during a light powder day of 6-10" or so at Aspen Snowmass. The difference between these skis and some other options we were on was like night and day. The Rustler 9 performed extremely well in the tracked-out and choppy powder we had at that time of day. An early rise in the nose helped to keep this ski plowing through the fresh bumps, and its rocker profile kept it easy to maneuver, allowing this ski to feel exquisitely nimble in a few ungroomed bumps. The titanal in the core helped keep this ski ultimately damp, smooth, and stable without feeling clunky. I got all the dads to cheer on the lift while ripping a zipper line in the bumps.
Why did you choose this product?
Jake Renner I was looking for a ski that would hold up well at higher speeds and in variable snow conditions, a do-it-all daily driver. The Rustler 9 provided a smooth, damp, and stable ride in choppy, tracked-out powder while holding its edge extremely well on hardpacked snow. I wanted a versatile all-mountain ski that could perform well on the downhill with regard to carving and handling the chop and slop. Not as playful as a twin-tipped ski, so not as forgiving for jumping but extremely nimble with a touch of energy concerning its edge-to-edge transition. All in all, I found what I was looking for in the Blizzard Rustler 9.
Bryant Leech I would love to own this product. I have always had an affinity for the Rustler line since they started making them, and this ski just ups the game for them. A stiffened up front and back with metal extended to the tips rather than ending ambiguously somewhere in the middle of the ski has really allowed this ski to have the proper amount of horsepower it always needed. This ski is about having fun and exploring the mountain with excellent support and stability.
Joe D The previous version of the Rustler 9 was one of my favorite skis, so that's why I chose it. I loved the changes Blizzard made to the model and think they really nailed the redesign.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Jake Renner The Blizzard Rustler 9 retains its value as skiers will get more than a few seasons out of a well-built ski. Titanal metal underfoot and throughout the core with a blend of wood and carbon help keep this ski stable at speed and lively on edge. Due to the bomb-proof construction, firm construction, and conducive rocker profile, the Rustler 9 keeps intact for longer than many of its companions. In the same vein as the Volkl Kendo/Mantra and extremely similar to the Nordica Enforcer 94, the Rustler tends to be a little less pricey.
Bryant Leech I would put this in the category of all-mountain mid-90s twin skis that skew towards softer snow. In that category, the Rustler 9 shines in its ability to provide strong on-trail performance, which some of the other options might lack. The K2 Mindbender 99Ti and Salomon QST 98 come to mind as similar alternatives to this ski. The Mindbender dials up the on-trail performance at the cost of some of the versatility, while the QST is a lighter alternative but lacks the horsepower of the Rustler.
What do you love about this product?
Jake Renner I really enjoyed the stability and versatility of the Blizzard Rustler 9. Being 96mm underfoot, barely cambered, and with a bit of early rise in the nose offered enough float to keep on top of fresh snow of 10-12" or so. Extremely pleasant and nimble edge-to-edge transition kept this ski feeling damp and easy to hold its edge on hardpacked snow and groomers while holding its own off-piste. An ideal daily driver that will handle a variety of snow conditions and terrain and durable construction that will last for seasons to come. Overall, the versatility and downhill performance were key factors I loved about this ski.
Joe D I think the Rustler 9 is the perfect mid-width all-mountain ski. My favorite thing about it is how versatile it is. It has excelled for me on the steeps, East Coast powder, groomers, and glades.
Jake Renner
Ski ExpertBryant Leech
Ski ExpertJoe D
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