About this Review: This review is my own honest opinion of the skis, which I bought with my own money in February 2022.

My take

The Blizzard Zero G 105 are hard-charging, powder-slaying skis wrapped up in a touring body. They’re geared toward expert skiers hoping to sniff out the steepest, deepest snow far beyond the confines of ski resort boundaries.

About the gear

• Model: 2022 Blizzard Zero G 105
• Size: 188cm

About me

• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 195lbs
• Experience: 25+ years

Test conditions

• When I bought these: February 2022
• Days tested: 4 days
• Mount position: Traditional
• Boots: 2022 Dynafit Hoji Free 130
• Boot Size: 29.5
• Bindings: 2022 Armada N Tracer Tourlite
• Where I’ve used them: Utah
• Terrain: Advanced and expert terrain in backcountry, trees, couloirs, steeps, and powder

How they perform

What I was looking for

As more and more ski companies dive headfirst into producing touring- and ski-mountaineering-specific skis, many are making loud claims of being the first to produce a ski that is both light enough to walk uphill all day, but strong and stiff enough to ski like a resort ski. Blizzard has touted the Zero G 105 as such a ski, so I was excited to see whether it proved their claim true.

Why I chose this gear

After spending four years prior on the original Blizzard Zero G 108, Blizzard revamped the ski with a lighter construction and a narrower waist, ultimately aimed at making the ski more approachable for a wider audience. I was eager to test the newest version of the ski and determine how it held up to its prior iteration. I had also considered testing the Atomic Backland 107, but Blizzard’s stout reputation for consistently putting out quality skis had me stick with the Zero Gs.

What I love about them

• Speed: Wow. The Zero G 105 likes to go fast! More than any other touring ski I’ve experienced, this ski likes to find the fall line and attack it—aggressively. Where other touring skis start to buckle and chatter at higher speeds due to their light construction, the Zero G seems to thrive more the faster it goes. I can point this ski downhill with the utmost confidence.
• Edge hold: With a 105mm waist, Blizzard markets the Zero G as their pow-slaying touring ski, and it certainly is that. It also holds its own in all types of snow, including ice, where Blizzard’s Partial Sandwich Sidewall keeps the ski torsionally stiff in even the hardest conditions. I skied the Zero G on very steep ice and never felt the slightest fear that my ski might lose purchase.
• Powder: Power is what the Blizzard Zero G 105 was made for. This ski doesn’t just eat powder for breakfast—it absolutely conquers all soft snow in its path and leaves me foaming at the mouth for more. The rocker-camber profile ensures that the ski floats effortlessly over the fluff, but the carbon frame keeps the ski on target at all times.
• Backcountry: The Zero G 105 is the fattest ski in the vaunted Zero G series, Blizzard’s dedicated backcountry skis, and with a paulownia wood core and Carbon Drive 2.0 construction, it was made for long days in the backcountry. While certainly not the lightest touring ski on the market (check out the Zero G 95 or the Zero G 85), the 105 will keep the backcountry powder enthusiast coming back for more.
• Durability: The Zero G 105 proved time and again that it was built with Blizzard’s renowned construction and durability. The ski held up to ice, rocks, and the constant abuse from being skied by a 200lb monster on its back. The topsheets showed very little wear and tear, and the edges revealed no compression after I smacked a rock.
• Weight: In this newest iteration, Blizzard cut out substantial weight from the original Zero G 108. The new 105 comes in at just 1660g per ski in the 188cm version. Again, it isn’t the lightest on the market, but considering how well the Zero G skis, it is very impressive that Blizzard managed to trim it down to such a backcountry-friendly weight.
• Stability: The amazing stability of the Zero G 105 was nothing short of impressive. Where most backcountry skis can snap, crackle, and pop at higher speeds or in variable snow, the Zero G skis more like a resort ski, remaining damp and stable in almost any condition. It allows for aggressive and confident skiing, which cannot be said for the vast majority of skis in its category.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Turns: With a robust 23m turning radius in the 180cm version, the Zero G, as stated above, shines at high speeds—and it does so very well. But when it comes time to turn it down a notch, the ski shows its unforgiving side. This is an aggressive ski that would rather make big turns than small ones. As such, skiers looking for a ski for tight, controlled turns or those who like skiing tight couloirs should look elsewhere.
• Groomers: While the Zero G is not necessarily bad on groomers, it's not great on them either. This ski was designed for powder fields and steep lines; there are much better groomer options out there.
• Trees: Having skied the Zero G 105 in trees, I can say that it is capable of navigating them. That being said, the skis’ large turn radius and aggressive nature are not great traits within the tight spaces that trees often create. Approach with caution!
• Moguls: The lack of metal in the construction keeps this from being a good mogul ski. While it can hold its own on ice and variable snow, it gets bounced around very easily on moguls.
• Park: As awesome as the Zero G 105 is, it is in no way a park ski. Stay away!
• Switch riding: The Zero G has a bit of rocker in the tail, but is not a twin tip—switch skiing is not recommended.

Favorite moment with this gear

The absolute highlight of testing the Zero G 105 was when I was lucky enough to ski them down a 3,000 vertical foot couloir filled wall to wall with deep powder. Because of the Zero G's impressive stability and aggressive nature, I was able to ski the entire line in one go, without stopping, and never once felt out of control or feared that the skis would not perform exactly how I steered them. That’s how skis should feel.

Value for the money vs. other options

The Zero G 105 is a phenomenal value for any backcountry skier. They stand firmly in the middle of the road price-wise, but they can compete with almost any other touring-specific ski in the categories of weight and downhill prowess. For comparison, the DPS Pagoda Tour 100 is lighter, but much more expensive, while the Völkl Blaze 106 is less expensive, but weighs more than the Zero G.

Final verdict

The Blizzard Zero G 105 are the newer, lighter, more approachable iteration of what were already incredible, dedicated touring skis. For advanced backcountry skiers looking for that elusive ski that is light on the uphill but can also confidently and aggressively tackle any type of snow and terrain, look no further.