Review: Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis · 2022
By Ski Expert
Brennan P
Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis · 2022
from:$449.97
$749.95
40% off
4 photos
The Curated Take
3.9/5
The Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis are ideal for advanced skiers who prefer a powerful, steady ski for resort powder conditions. They excel in deep snow and remain stable at high speeds due to their stiff build with softer tips and tails. This design offers great flotation in powder and ensures solid performance on groomers, though they require effort to carve due to their width. While durable and capable of playful skiing, these skis are best suited for aggressive skiing rather than casual or intermediate use. The Rustler 11s shine as a specialized choice for powder days at the resort.
Ideal for
- Great resort powder ski
- Stable at high speeds
- Stiff but soft in the tips and tails
Not ideal for
- Ski needs to be skied aggressively
- Not a great option for beginner or intermediate skiers
Turn Ease
These skis are most certainly for an advanced skier. Quite a bit of metal in these stiffens up the flex profile and forces the skier to stay over them. If...Read more
Playfulness
I was quite surprised by how playful these keys were when I first tried them. With the amount of metal inside, I was unsure if Blizzard could make the tips...Read more
Durability
The Blizzard Rustler 11 has held up to most of the abuse I put them through. I have clipped rocks and tree roots, and the bases have held up fine....Read more
High Speed Stability
Stability at high speeds is where this ski shines. This ski has quite a bit of metal, providing a stiff backbone for hard-charging skiers. I can bomb down tracked-out groomers...Read more
Carving
Powder skis are not known for their carving abilities. These skis are no different. Yes, I can take these out and carve up groomers; however, I have to work hard,...Read more
Versatility
If someone is looking for a one-ski quiver, they should look elsewhere. The Rustler 11s are very much geared towards powder skiing. These skis are a bit heavy for a...Read more
Flotation
The flotation these skis provide is an excellent sweet spot for resort skiing. They aren’t so wide that I need a 20" storm cycle to rationalize bringing them out. They...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Brennan P
About the ski gear
- Model: Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis · 2022
Test conditions
- When I bought these: Two seasons ago
- Where I’ve used them: Colorado resorts
- How many times I've used it: 15
Expert Reviews of the Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis
Brennan P Blizzard are known for their skis' ability to charge all over the mountain. The 2022 Rustler 11s hold up to that reputation. I have skied these for a couple of seasons, and they are definitely fun to ski. I like to ski aggressively, so I needed a ski that felt stable underfoot while bombing down runs of tracked-out pow at the resort. I typically only take these skis out if there are over 6" of fresh snow, but they excel in about 8" or more. Someone can ski these on groomers, but they will work harder than on a non-powder ski. I put these in the "purely" powder ski category. These skis have a fair bit of metal, so they are stiff underfoot and require the skier to be over them. If I sit too far in the backseat, they will punish me and buck me around. However, Blizzard has still made the tails of these skis soft enough to pop off of side hits with no problem. The Rustler 11s are a great option if someone is looking for a resort ski that they can ski aggressively, whether an untouched powder field or a tracked-out bumpy groomer.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2022 |
| Ski type | Big Mountain |
| Skill level | Advanced, Expert |
Review Ratings
Turn Ease
4/5
Brennan P gave 4 of 5 stars. These skis are most certainly for an advanced skier. Quite a bit of metal in these stiffens up the flex profile and forces the skier to stay over them. If a skier catches themself too far in the backseat, they will find themself getting bucked around. Advanced skiers should have no problem handling the Rustler 11s. However, beginner or intermediate skiers might find turning these planks more work than they would like.
Playfulness
4/5
Brennan P gave 4 of 5 stars. I was quite surprised by how playful these keys were when I first tried them. With the amount of metal inside, I was unsure if Blizzard could make the tips and tails soft enough. There is plenty of pop in the tails for popping off side hits. However, there are better options in terms of playfulness if someone constantly jibs and views the mountain as a playground.
Durability
4/5
Brennan P gave 4 of 5 stars. The Blizzard Rustler 11 has held up to most of the abuse I put them through. I have clipped rocks and tree roots, and the bases have held up fine. The one thing lacking in terms of durability for this ski is the topsheet. It seems like most of Blizzard's line of skis tend to chip flakes off the topsheet. Luckily, this is just a cosmetic issue and doesn’t affect performance.
High Speed Stability
5/5
Brennan P gave 5 of 5 stars. Stability at high speeds is where this ski shines. This ski has quite a bit of metal, providing a stiff backbone for hard-charging skiers. I can bomb down tracked-out groomers as if it is some fresh corduroy. The Rustler 11s are built to be strong and powerful skis. These are a great choice if someone likes to ski fast and aggressive.
Carving
3/5
Brennan P gave 3 of 5 stars. Powder skis are not known for their carving abilities. These skis are no different. Yes, I can take these out and carve up groomers; however, I have to work hard, considering they are pretty wide underfoot. One can ski these on groomers, but I would choose something else as a daily driver.
Versatility
3/5
Brennan P gave 3 of 5 stars. If someone is looking for a one-ski quiver, they should look elsewhere. The Rustler 11s are very much geared towards powder skiing. These skis are a bit heavy for a hybrid or pure backcountry setup, but they could work. I would stick to resort powder days if one wants these skis to perform at their best.
Flotation
4/5
Brennan P gave 4 of 5 stars. The flotation these skis provide is an excellent sweet spot for resort skiing. They aren’t so wide that I need a 20" storm cycle to rationalize bringing them out. They are not so skinny that I end up sinking in fresh snow. The 110 underfoot provides just enough float, allowing quick turns and solid control.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Brennan P I really like that I can ski these skis on a tracked-out groomer and don’t need to worry about getting bucked around. They have plenty of float for deep powder days. They are stiff underfoot with soft tips and tails that allow me to slash powder and hold an edge on a groomer. Overall, I think these are great resort powder skis.
Why did you choose this product?
Brennan P I chose these skis because I wanted something that would perform on powder days at the resort. I didn’t need anything too wide since I typically do not ski waist-deep powder, but I wanted something wide enough to provide float on those low-to-medium powder days.
