Review: Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2024

Published on 07/25/2023 · 3 min readCurated Ski Expert Jake Renner shares his experience with using the 2024 Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis. Note that experts are not sponsored by any brands; these are their honest opinions.

By Ski Expert Jake Renner

8 photos

The Curated Take

4.6/5

The Blizzard Rustler 9 skis are ideal for versatile all-mountain skiers. They boast a 96mm waist and rocker-camber-rocker profile for great balance between groomed runs and off-piste exploration. A blend of wood, carbon, fiberglass, and titanal in the core ensures a lively ride, stability at high speeds, and responsiveness. With an edge-to-edge transition and a 17m turn radius, these skis handle well on ice, hardpacked snow, and in less than 10-12" of powder. They promise durability, moderate flex, and easy pivot for a variety of skill levels, offering good value for money in their performance range.

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
Extremely damp build with metal in the core keeps this ski feeling stable at higher speeds and in the 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
At 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Review Ratings

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.

Carving

5/5

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.

High Speed Stability

5/5

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.

Playfulness

3/5

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.

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.

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.

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 floatation 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.

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.

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.

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.

4.98

Jake Renner

Ski Expert

I've skied my whole life, starting in New Hampshire at age 3. As a teenager I started to compete in rail jams, slopestyle, and big air events and continued as a young adult. I attended Season 3 Salomon Jib Academy at Loon Mountain(2009), USASA Slopestyle, and Skiercross National competitions two years in a row representing Team NY (2011) and Team MA (2010). Nationals was the first time I had been able to ski in Colorado- I have returned several years later to Colorado, this time, I'm here as a coach. It is now my 6th year coaching freestyle skiing, I have found my way to Aspen, CO. Along the way, I've also coached freestyle skiing in the Berkshires, MA and at Carinthia, Mount Snow, VT. Many athletes through our program go on to compete in the X-Games and Winter Olympics. It's a great honor to be able to share my passion and skill set with the future of skiing! Coming out of the North East/Ice Coast we don't get as much snow as other places and its drawn me into creative ways of skiing. For example, I've hiked and skied Tuckerman's Ravine on Mount Washington, NH several times in May and April. This is the true back country on the East Coast- gnarly ice falls, avalanches, ripping snow melt rivers, and unpredictable weather at any moment combined with the physical exertion of boot packing! Such a rewarding journey, it puts the phrase, 'earn your turns' into perspective. Although Tuckerman's is a true back country experience, avalanche conditions were almost never on my mind when it came to skiing in the East. On the contrary, my brother and I were constantly building jumps, rails, and other jibs, as well as seshing urban handrails at schools, townhalls, libraries, etc.... our internal dialogue was more like, 'Oh shit, the cops are coming! Get one more rail hit!' I've made it to Colorado and the doors swung wide open! I skied more powder this last season than I've probably skied in 5 years of my life! Now its time to take my bag of tricks from the Terrain Park to Big Mountain! Want to come Shred?

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