In the world of skiing, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are praised for their versatility, stability, 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 rewards aggressive input and is loved for its ability to pop off things and maintain stability in turns. On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 10 is a stable ski that can handle a wide variety of terrain. It's a great one-ski quiver for someone who finds a good bit of fresh snow and likes to ski a wide variety of terrain aggressively. Both skis have their unique strengths and are designed to cater to different skiing styles and preferences. The final verdict? It's a close call, but the Nordica Unleashed 98 might just edge out the Blizzard Rustler 10 for its versatility and playful nature.

Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis · 2023 summary

The Nordica Unleashed 98 is a brand new ski from Nordica for the 22/23 season. It's a potential one-ski quiver for any skier from the East Coast to the Sierra Nevada. Nordica claims that the 98 millimeter waist is super versatile and that this is a playful charger that just about any advanced to expert skier could love. The ski is more cambered than rockered, meaning it's not meant to be a powder ski and doesn't have generous rocker in the tip and tail. However, it does have a full twin tip and tail, making it balanced and very centered. The ski carves tremendously well, holding an edge and proving to be snappy and poppy. It's also very stable at speed and doesn't feel like it's getting away from you. The Unleashed 98 is not marketed as a park-specific ski, but it's light for what it is, pops nicely, and lands well. It's also capable of skiing switch. This ski is for the person who wants to be able to have one ski that can do everything reasonably well.

Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis · 2023 summary

The Blizzard Rustler 10 is a versatile ski for advanced to expert level skiers. It's designed to be a stable ski that can handle a wide variety of terrain. The ski includes a wood and metal construction for strength and performance. It's a great one-ski quiver for someone who finds a good bit of fresh snow and likes to ski a wide variety of terrain at various speeds. The Rustler 10 features a good amount of rocker, making it a wider option with early rise tips being nice, strong, large shovels for powder skiing. It's a great ski at high speeds, especially in crud or fresh spring snow that has gotten a little wet and soft. The ski is also fairly playful due to the loose flexible tips. However, it's not designed for park riding. The Rustler 10 is recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers that want to ski everything on the mountain.

Similarities

Both the Nordica Unleashed 98 and the Blizzard Rustler 10 are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are praised for their versatility and performance across a variety of terrains. They both have a partial titanal metal layer that is widest underfoot, where stability and edge hold is needed, but tapers off towards the tips and tails. This design keeps swing weight low and allows both skis to be maneuverable yet stable. Both skis are also praised for their carving abilities and stability at high speeds. They are both designed to be playful and fun, making them great options for skiers who like to hit side hits and jibs around the trails.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Nordica Unleashed 98 is a playful charger that rewards aggressive input. It's a great option for skiers who like to pop off things and maintain stability in turns. It's also a potential one-ski quiver for any skier from the East Coast to the Sierra Nevada. On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 10 is a stable ski that can handle a wide variety of terrain. It's a great one-ski quiver for someone who finds a good bit of fresh snow and likes to ski a wide variety of terrain aggressively. The Rustler 10 is also a great option for skiers who like to charge hard on steep terrain and bowls at resorts.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well across a variety of terrains. However, the Nordica Unleashed 98 might have a slight edge due to its playful nature and ability to pop off things while maintaining stability in turns. In terms of stability, both skis are designed to be stable and hold an edge well. However, the Blizzard Rustler 10 might have a slight advantage due to its wider design and larger shovels for powder skiing. For playfulness, the Nordica Unleashed 98 takes the cake with its playful charger nature. Lastly, for carving abilities, both skis are praised for their carving abilities and stability at high speeds. However, the Nordica Unleashed 98 might have a slight advantage due to its ability to store a lot of energy in the apex of the turn, popping the ski out of a turn and into the next one.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Nordica Unleashed 98 and the Blizzard Rustler 10 are top contenders for the 2023 season. They are both designed for advanced to expert skiers and are praised for their versatility, stability, and performance across a variety of terrains. However, the Nordica Unleashed 98 might just edge out the Blizzard Rustler 10 for its versatility and playful nature. It's a playful charger that rewards aggressive input and is loved for its ability to pop off things and maintain stability in turns. On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 10 is a stable ski that can handle a wide variety of terrain. It's a great one-ski quiver for someone who finds a good bit of fresh snow and likes to ski a wide variety of terrain aggressively. Both skis have their unique strengths and are designed to cater to different skiing styles and preferences. The final verdict? It's a close call, but the Nordica Unleashed 98 might just edge out the Blizzard Rustler 10 for its versatility and playful nature.