Review: Blizzard Brahma 82 Skis · 2024
By Ski Expert
Henry Kvietok
Blizzard Brahma 82 Skis · 2024
from:$324.98
$649.95
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The Curated Take
4.1/5
The Blizzard Brahma 82 Skis (2024 model) are well suited for skiers who favor high-speed, long arcing carves, especially in icy and hardpack conditions. These skis are stable, fast, and offer quick edge-to-edge transitions, ideal for aggressive skiers who enjoy a lively ride. They are heavy and stiff, requiring a more experienced skier who can handle their demand for speed. While they aren't the most versatile, being less suited for off-piste and powder conditions, they excel on groomed slopes. These skis are a solid choice for those who prioritize a dynamic and high-speed skiing experience on groomed terrain.
Ideal for
- Offers high speed and long, arcing carves
- Performs well in hardpack and icy terrain
- Stable, fast, and quick edge-to-edge weapon
Not ideal for
- Heavy and stiff
- Feels most engaged when going fast
- Not the most versatile ski
Turn Ease
I personally find that it takes a bit of speed to get the Brahma 82 really going. Like a race car, it prefers to be going fast and rewards a...Read more
Playfulness
These are damp, relatively heavy carving/narrow all mountain skis, not park or "playful" skis. I found that I could make some nice "hot dog" style quick turns (feet very close...Read more
Durability
Blizzard is known for their high-quality skis. Their skis are made at their own factory in Mittersill, Austria. When you feel and ski a Blizzard ski, you get a sense...Read more
High Speed Stability
While it doesn't have the heft and rock-solid stability of a purpose-built GS race ski, the ski's build is plenty stable and damp at high speeds. I have clocked upwards...Read more
Carving
With an 18.5m radius at the 187 length that I tested, these skis enjoyed medium to long turns. Shorter lengths have shorter radii so keep that in mind when making...Read more
Versatility
There is no such ski that is made for everyday, every condition, and every style. These are built as a narrow, all-mountain, carving-oriented ski, and for that they excel. They...Read more
Flotation
At 82 underfoot with very minimal rocker, of course there are plenty of better options out there that are made to float in powder. But that is not why one...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Henry Kvietok
About the ski gear
- Model: Blizzard Brahma 82 Skis · 2024
Test conditions
- When I bought these: January 2022
- Where I’ve used it: Eldora Ski Resort (Colorado Front Range), icy hardpack, early morning corduroy, spring slush, 6 inches of powder
- How many times I've used it: 3
Expert Reviews of the Blizzard Brahma 82 Skis
Henry Kvietok If you are looking for a high-speed, stiff, and burly ski to really lay down some deep carves and speed records then look no further. This ski is best for icy, hardpack, and groomer terrain. Don't expect to take this one off-piste much, as the 82 underfoot and heavily cambered ski is not designed for that. Instead, get ready to strap in and hang on for a fun ride. This ski really does like to go fast, and it feels most engaged when at speed. It's a bit too stiff to be gingerly skied at slower paces.
One of my favorite memories on this ski was ripping down a wide-open groomer and dropping real low to the ground. Given that my usual daily driver is a much wider and rockered all-mountain ski, this one feels like a race car. It definitely demands my full attention and favors a strong pilot.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Ski type | All Mountain |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Turn Ease
4/5
Henry Kvietok gave 4 of 5 stars. I personally find that it takes a bit of speed to get the Brahma 82 really going. Like a race car, it prefers to be going fast and rewards a strong driver. The sidecut is not that prominent, so it makes sense that these skis feel most engaged when going faster (more GS style). I remember the first day on these at Eldora — I broke one of my speed records down a groomer without even thinking about it. They inspire confidence at speed.
Playfulness
3/5
Henry Kvietok gave 3 of 5 stars. These are damp, relatively heavy carving/narrow all mountain skis, not park or "playful" skis. I found that I could make some nice "hot dog" style quick turns (feet very close together, essentially jumping from turn to turn) as they ski long and have enough stiffness to pivot very forward.
Durability
5/5
Henry Kvietok gave 5 of 5 stars. Blizzard is known for their high-quality skis. Their skis are made at their own factory in Mittersill, Austria. When you feel and ski a Blizzard ski, you get a sense of their quality standards. I tune skis on the side and immediately recognized how durable and well constructed the skis are. They are built to last.
High Speed Stability
5/5
Henry Kvietok gave 5 of 5 stars. While it doesn't have the heft and rock-solid stability of a purpose-built GS race ski, the ski's build is plenty stable and damp at high speeds. I have clocked upwards of 60 mph on this ski and had no stability or chatter issues. With two full sheets of titanal (aluminum alloy), these skis have a very planted and stable feel in all conditions.
Carving
5/5
Henry Kvietok gave 5 of 5 stars. With an 18.5m radius at the 187 length that I tested, these skis enjoyed medium to long turns. Shorter lengths have shorter radii so keep that in mind when making a decision. Sizing up will give a more GS feel, whereas sizing down will give a more slalom-oriented feel. They hold an edge quite well and are easy to slice through crud.
Versatility
4/5
Henry Kvietok gave 4 of 5 stars. There is no such ski that is made for everyday, every condition, and every style. These are built as a narrow, all-mountain, carving-oriented ski, and for that they excel. They have just enough width to handle a bit of powder, slush, and other terrain. The only reason I knocked off a star for versatility is that if they were wider (like the Brahma 88) they'd have a bit more powder float. But, hey, there are always tradeoffs. The 88s won't have as quick of edge-to-edge rollover speed.
Flotation
3/5
Henry Kvietok gave 3 of 5 stars. At 82 underfoot with very minimal rocker, of course there are plenty of better options out there that are made to float in powder. But that is not why one buys the Brahma. It is the daily driver in areas that don't get much fresh snow or, like me, it's the ski for hardpack, early season, and icy conditions when it's all about going fast and laying down carves. With that said, I have had them in up to six inches of powder and they are capable, just not the ski I would choose to float.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Henry Kvietok I absolutely love railing medium- to long-style turns with these skis. I have the 187cm length, and these skis have an 18.5m radius. This puts them in the medium to upper range. Given that they don't have much sidecut, they have a natural propensity toward longer and faster turns down the fall line.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Henry Kvietok First tracks at Eldora on fresh morning corduroy. Pretty hard to beat a wide-open, freshly groomed run on these skis. I knew I wanted first tracks so I got in line half an hour early and scored a wide-open lap — so much fun to let these skis do what they do best.
Why did you choose this product?
Henry Kvietok To have a stable, high-speed carver with some all-mountain flair. At 82 underfoot, these aren't just limited to on-piste. To occasionally go off trail, ski some moguls, chop, and variable snow — these are quite capable. They have just a touch of early rise in the tips that allows them to fall into turns and handle variable snow quite well. My other skis are rather wide underfoot, and this is an excellent complement to them and allows me to really work on perfecting my carving technique.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Henry Kvietok Are they the cheapest option out there? No. Are they an incredibly well-made ski that is built to last? Most definitely yes. When one holds and skis a Blizzard ski, one can feel the build quality.
As a value proposition, I would consider this a one-ski quiver for folks who don't ski a lot of powder (or off-piste), don't do jumps, and have a natural inclination towards faster speeds and longer turns.
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