In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon Stance 96 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed to handle a variety of conditions and terrains, making them excellent choices for skiers who love to explore the whole mountain. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a playful all-mountain ski that excels in a variety of conditions. It's perfect for Eastern skiers looking to explore off the beaten (or groomed) path or the Western skier looking for all mountain skis for when it hasn't snowed in a while. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.

Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced, all-mountain ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. This ski is designed for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. The Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction.

The Stance 96 is a great "one-ski-quiver" for directional all-mountain skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions. Expert skiers will be pleased with the energy and versatility the Stance provides when compared with other heavy, metal ski options like the Voelkl Mantra or K2 Mindbender. Athletic intermediate skiers will enjoy the Stance's stable, confidence-inspiring platform but could find the ski cumbersome in tighter spots like bumps and trees.

The Stance 96 is a high-performance all-mountain ski designed for advanced skiers. With a poplar wood core, carbon and flax materials, and double titanal layers, this ski is stiff, responsive, and stable at high speeds. Its full sandwich sidewalls provide excellent edge grip and a smooth carving experience. This ski is perfect for those who want to confidently tackle a variety of terrain and conditions.

Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023 summary

The Blizzard Rustler 9 is a playful all-mountain ski that excels in a variety of conditions. It's perfect for Eastern skiers looking to explore off the beaten (or groomed) path or the Western skier looking for all mountain skis for when it hasn't snowed in a while. Capable of carving on hard pack, the Rustler 9 shines in boot top powder and softer snow. At 92-94 mm at the waist, it is not a powder ski for the Western resorts that get a ton of snow, but it is a fantastic ski for East Coast powder days that start out untracked, but turn to variable conditions early on.

The Rustler 9 is a freeride ski that doesn't require a big powder day to do its job. It's founded on two signature concepts: Carbon Flipcore D.R.T. Technology and an innovative waist design. The longer the ski, the wider the waist width which gives freeride skiers more control & float, consistent even on steep terrain. Incredibly smooth rocker-camber-rocker profile make it responsive and stable, yet super playful in softer snow and on varying terrain.

The Rustler 9 is a freeride ski that doesn't require a big powder day to do its job. It's founded on two signature concepts: Carbon Flipcore D.R.T. Technology and an innovative waist design. The longer the ski, the wider the waist width which gives freeride skiers more control & float, consistent even on steep terrain. Incredibly smooth rocker-camber-rocker profile make it responsive and stable, yet super playful in softer snow and on varying terrain.

Similarities

Both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are all-mountain skis designed to handle a variety of conditions and terrains. They are both designed for advanced to expert skiers and are built to be stable and responsive at high speeds. Both skis feature a rocker-camber-rocker profile, which makes them responsive and stable, yet super playful in softer snow and on varying terrain. They both have a metal construction that provides excellent edge grip and a smooth carving experience. Both skis are also praised for their versatility and ability to perform well in both groomed and off-piste conditions.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile all-mountain options, they do have some key differences. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. This ski is perfect for those who want to confidently tackle a variety of terrain and conditions. It's a great choice for advanced to expert skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions.

On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a playful all-mountain ski that excels in a variety of conditions. It's perfect for Eastern skiers looking to explore off the beaten (or groomed) path or the Western skier looking for all mountain skis for when it hasn't snowed in a while. This ski is perfect for intermediate to advanced level skiers who are searching for a versatile ski that can perform on almost all terrain and conditions. The Rustler 9 stands out among mid-width all mountain category because of its playfulness. This ski is just fun to ride anywhere you take it. Off piste or on some fresh snow is where it really shines.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Salomon Stance 96 might have a slight edge due to its well-balanced, metal-reinforced design that allows it to handle a variety of conditions with ease.

In terms of performance on groomed runs, the Blizzard Rustler 9 takes the cake. Its Carbon Flipcore D.R.T. Technology and innovative waist design make it a true master of off-piste terrain and conditions, and it carves better than expected.

For off-piste performance, the Salomon Stance 96 shines. Its directional all-mountain design and nuanced construction make it a great choice for skiers who love to explore off the beaten path.

Finally, when it comes to playfulness, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is the clear winner. Its freeride design and playful feel make it a joy to ride in softer snow and on varying terrain.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are excellent all-mountain skis that offer a great blend of performance, versatility, and playfulness. The best choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. If you're a skier who loves to charge and wants a ski that can handle a variety of conditions with ease, the Salomon Stance 96 might be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a playful all-mountain ski that excels in a variety of conditions and is just fun to ride anywhere you take it, the Blizzard Rustler 9 could be the perfect fit. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these top-notch all-mountain skis.