In the world of skiing, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are praised for their versatility and performance across a variety of terrains. The Nordica Unleashed 98 is a playful charger that excels in carving, freestyle, and freeride categories. It's a ski that can do everything reasonably well, except for deep powder and ice. On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a narrower freeride ski with an all-mountain character. It carves better than expected while remaining an excellent soft-snow performer and a true master of off-piste terrain and conditions. Both skis are highly recommended by experts for their performance, versatility, and fun factor. However, the choice between the two ultimately depends on the skier's personal preference and skiing style.

Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis · 2023 summary

The Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are a brand new offering from Nordica for the 2023 season. These skis are designed to be a potential one-ski quiver for any skier, from the East Coast to the Sierra Nevada. The 98 millimeter waist is super versatile, making this a playful charger that just about any advanced to expert skier could love.

The Unleashed 98 is designed to be a fun all-mountain ski. It's meant to pop off things and be pretty stable in the turn. It's expected to do everything reasonably well, except for deep powder and ice. The ski's profile is more cambered than rockered, indicating that it's not meant to be a powder ski. However, it does have a full twin tip and tail, making it a balanced and very centered all-mountain ski.

The Unleashed 98 carves like a dream for a ski that's 98 millimeters underfoot. It has great edge hold and is super stable in varied firm terrain with an inch of soft snow over it. The ski is also very stable at speed and rewards aggressive input. It's not a super poppy ski, but for a ski that charges this hard, it's also pretty playful and easy to maneuver.

Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023 summary

The Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis are a narrower freeride ski with an all-mountain character. They carve better than expected while remaining an excellent soft-snow performer and a true master of off-piste terrain and conditions. The Rustler 9 is built with a wood core consisting of beech, poplar, balsa, and paulownia, which leads to a well-rounded nature of the ski.

Two sheets of carbon/fiberglass add stiffness and energy while a single, partial sheet of metal brings the dampness and edge grip to the equation. The metal laminate is full-width underfoot and tapers to the tips and tails, ending precisely where the rocker begins. This leads to a playful feel and a lighter swing weight in the tips and tails while keeping the underfoot/middle-zone of the ski a bit more business-like.

The Rustler 9 is a ski that can lock into a carve and propel the skier into the next turn with a snappy rebound that is a joy to experience. It's comfortable off-piste, especially in trees, with an appropriately flexible turn radius and maximum maneuverability.

Similarities

Both the Nordica Unleashed 98 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are praised for their versatility and performance across a variety of terrains. They both have a playful feel and a lighter swing weight in the tips and tails while keeping the underfoot/middle-zone of the ski a bit more business-like. Both skis are also designed to carve well and are stable at high speeds. They are both recommended for their performance, versatility, and fun factor.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and perform well in a variety of conditions, they each have their unique strengths. The Nordica Unleashed 98 is a playful charger that excels in carving, freestyle, and freeride categories. It's a ski that can do everything reasonably well, except for deep powder and ice. This ski is perfect for the skier who wants to be able to have one ski that can do everything reasonably well. It's a great ski for sure, but not the best bet for deep powder conditions.

On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a narrower freeride ski with an all-mountain character. It carves better than expected while remaining an excellent soft-snow performer and a true master of off-piste terrain and conditions. This ski is a great option for a skier who loves groomed terrain and might be coming off a rental ski even though they consider themselves an advanced expert skier.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Nordica Unleashed 98 might have a slight edge due to its ability to excel in carving, freestyle, and freeride categories.

In terms of carving, both skis carve well, but the Blizzard Rustler 9 is praised for its ability to lock into a carve and propel the skier into the next turn with a snappy rebound.

For freestyle, the Nordica Unleashed 98 is noted for its playfulness and pop, making it a great choice for skiers who like to get a bit adventurous on the slopes.

In the freeride category, the Blizzard Rustler 9 shines with its excellent soft-snow performance and mastery of off-piste terrain and conditions.

Overall, both skis are winners in their own right, and the choice between the two would depend on the skier's personal preference and skiing style.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis are top contenders for the 2023 season. They are both designed for advanced to expert skiers and are praised for their versatility and performance across a variety of terrains. The Nordica Unleashed 98 is a playful charger that excels in carving, freestyle, and freeride categories, while the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a narrower freeride ski with an all-mountain character that carves better than expected while remaining an excellent soft-snow performer. Both skis are highly recommended by experts for their performance, versatility, and fun factor. However, the choice between the two ultimately depends on the skier's personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're a playful charger or an all-mountain carver, there's a ski out there for you. Happy skiing!