In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon Stance 96 and Blizzard Rustler 10 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and offer a blend of stability, versatility, and playfulness. 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 10 is a versatile and fun ski that excels in high-speed, big turns and holding a line through variable or choppy snow. It's a great ski for those looking for a very stable all-mountain ski that handles variable snow conditions at speed. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will largely depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.

Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain ski that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction. It's a well-balanced, metal-reinforced 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 great ski for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. 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. The ski is built with a touch of tail splay and some metal material removed in the tips and tails, making it just compliant enough for all kinds of turn shapes.

The Stance 96 excels at long, fast carves, but as an expert skier, you'll find that it achieves a really great balance that retains that fast carving ability, but allows for really fun, high-energy, short turns as well. It's built to ski groomers, no matter how recently groomed, and does it with poise and power.

Despite its strengths, the Stance 96 does have some limitations. It lacks float in powder, and while it's more compliant than its competitors, trees can still be tough. It's also not meant to be taken into the park nor backcountry and would not excel there.

Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis · 2023 summary

The Blizzard Rustler 10 is a versatile and fun ski that excels in high-speed, big turns and holding a line through variable or choppy snow. It's a great ski for those looking for a very stable all-mountain ski that handles variable snow conditions at speed. The ski includes a wood/ construction with a partial sheet of metal for strength and performance.

The Rustler 10 is a medium option in terms of flex. The tips and the tails are pretty loose compared to other skis in the class that have metal. There isn't a lot of chatter underfoot, and it holds pretty strong. The ski features a good amount of rocker, making it a wider option with these early rise tips being nice, strong, large shovels for powder skiing.

The Rustler 10 is an extremely stable ski. It's heavy and has a metal layer, so you're not worried you're going to lose it. If you're attempting slalom turns at high speeds, you're going to want something more nimble like a ski with a narrower waist that'll be quicker edge to edge. If you're ripping large radius GS turns on these, then you'll be happy, especially in crud or fresh spring snow that has gotten a little wet and soft.

Similarities

Both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Blizzard Rustler 10 are designed for advanced to expert skiers who want a versatile, all-mountain ski that can handle a variety of conditions. They both feature a combination of wood, carbon, and metal in their construction, which provides a unique blend of stiffness and playfulness. This makes both skis stable and responsive, capable of handling aggressive skiing on a variety of terrain.

Both skis also have a versatile width that allows for both carving on groomers and floating in powder. They are designed to be maneuverable yet stable, with a partial metal layer that is widest underfoot for stability and edge hold, but tapers off towards the tips and tails. This design keeps the swing weight low and allows both skis to be maneuverable yet stable.

In terms of performance, both skis excel at high speeds and are capable of making both short and long turns. They are both stable and damp, providing a confident ride in a variety of conditions. Both skis also have a playful feel, making them fun for hitting side hits and jibs around the trails.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Salomon Stance 96 and Blizzard Rustler 10 share many similarities, they also have some key differences that make them better suited to different types of skiers. 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 makes it a great choice for aggressive skiers who like to push their limits and enjoy a variety of terrain.

On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 10 is a versatile and fun ski that excels in high-speed, big turns and holding a line through variable or choppy snow. It's a great ski for those looking for a very stable all-mountain ski that handles variable snow conditions at speed. This makes it a great choice for skiers who enjoy high-speed skiing and want a ski that can handle a variety of conditions.

In terms of persona, the Salomon Stance 96 is best suited for the aggressive skier who loves to charge and push their limits, while the Blizzard Rustler 10 is best suited for the skier who enjoys high-speed skiing and wants a versatile, all-mountain ski.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Salomon Stance 96 and Blizzard Rustler 10, it's important to consider four key dimensions: versatility, stability, playfulness, and carving ability.

1. Versatility: Both skis are highly versatile, capable of handling a variety of conditions and terrain. However, the Blizzard Rustler 10's wider waist and more pronounced rocker profile give it a slight edge in powder and variable conditions.

2. Stability: Both skis offer excellent stability, thanks to their metal-reinforced construction. However, the Salomon Stance 96's dual-metal construction gives it a slight edge in terms of stability and edge hold, especially on hardpack and icy conditions.

3. Playfulness: Both skis are designed to be playful and fun to ride. However, the Blizzard Rustler 10's partial metal layer and more pronounced rocker profile make it a bit more playful and forgiving, especially in softer snow and off-piste conditions.

4. Carving Ability: Both skis are capable carvers, but the Salomon Stance 96's dual-metal construction and more pronounced camber give it a slight edge in terms of carving ability, especially on groomed runs.

In conclusion, while both skis are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers, the Salomon Stance 96 is the winner in terms of stability and carving ability, while the Blizzard Rustler 10 takes the lead in terms of versatility and playfulness.

Conclusions

In the end, the choice between the Salomon Stance 96 and Blizzard Rustler 10 will largely depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. Both skis are top contenders in the all-mountain category, offering a blend of stability, versatility, and playfulness that advanced to expert skiers will appreciate.

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 10 is a versatile and fun ski that excels in high-speed, big turns and holding a line through variable or choppy snow. It's a great ski for those looking for a very stable all-mountain ski that handles variable snow conditions at speed.

In terms of the four key dimensions of versatility, stability, playfulness, and carving ability, the Salomon Stance 96 takes the lead in terms of stability and carving ability, while the Blizzard Rustler 10 shines in terms of versatility and playfulness.

So, whether you're an aggressive skier who loves to charge and push your limits, or a high-speed skier looking for a versatile, all-mountain ski, both the Salomon Stance 96 and Blizzard Rustler 10 have something to offer. Happy skiing!