What's Blizzard up to?

[undertow2]

man. The 186 bodacious. So so so so good. Wow.

I have this ski in a 196 and by far still shocks the shit out of me... Absolutely love them and are so confidence inspiring... I still fear the day I make a mistake and end up on a full on bump run...


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[wasatchback]

I pulled out the Brahma 82 for six dry days (minus one) in Big Sky. Had not been on them in close to two seasons. Perfect ski for hard pack/boiler plate. Killer edges, 2 layers of metal power, want to go fast, very unforgiving. I don't think they make 'em anymore.

You must be living in the future. This is year two of the model. Still make it and will next year too.

[undertow2]

Plus I would no way in hell say the Brahma series is very unforgiving... I have the 82 in a 187 and is a fun zoomer groomer ski...!


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[esseff]

You must be living in the future. This is year two of the model. Still make it and will next year too.

I thought they only have the 88 now?

[Bandit Man]

Plus I would no way in hell say the Brahma series is very unforgiving... I have the 82 in a 187 and is a fun zoomer groomer ski...!


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While I’m on the 187 B88, I would agree. Very accessible ski for how stable and powerful they are. Not my favorite in tight trees and deep mank, but on groomers they are easy.


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[wasatchback]

I thought they only have the 88 now?

82 didn’t get revamped for this year cause it was only launched the year before. It gets the new core for 21/22 but retains the same shape and rocker profile.

[Bandit Man]

Finally got to see the new Cochise in person last night (first time in a ski shop since COVID). I really like the rocker profile and flex. Now I get why people say it is reminiscent of the OG Cochise. I’m in the market for a new 10X charger. Any more insight on the new Cochise?

[skibrd]

Plus I would no way in hell say the Brahma series is very unforgiving... I have the 82 in a 187 and is a fun zoomer groomer ski...!


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I thought 180 was a different ski, in a very good way, to the 187, for a larger person. The 187 feels like a fat GS ski, where the 180 felt more playful and a lot easier to ski.

For note, I believe I skid the 17-19 88mm wide versions. Currently own the 187 version. If I moved back east, I’d like to say I’d ski the 187 as a daily driver, but realistically I’d get the 180.


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[undertow2]

Finally got to see the new Cochise in person last night (first time in a ski shop since COVID). I really like the rocker profile and flex. Now I get why people say it is reminiscent of the OG Cochise. I’m in the market for a new 10X charger. Any more insight on the new Cochise?

I absolutely swore I would not be buying any new skis this year as my 105 to 108 underfoot is a bit over the top... However, as I stated above I am obsessed with my 196 black angels of death OG Bodes... I could not stand any of the past updated Cochise as well as the puscified Bodes... From what I read it sounds the new OG Cochise will find a way in my quiver... The rocker profile on the Bodes is absolutely money...!

skibird, I am one of a couple of clysdales that are on this board - 6’4” and 205 lbs so the 187 fits my former ski racer days... I probably need to be a bit more open minded at times as I always go for the biggest size possible...


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[banzai]

My only problem with the 187 brahmas is that they are bit bipolar. I can have FUN by either going full g(a)s or slowish old school knee to knee air turns. I can imagine the 180 will be fun in a lot more circumstances, especially when out on the hill with the kids.

[uglymoney]

For the record I own the new 82 Brahma in 180 and the og 88 180 Brahma. The 82 is way more demanding. Actually they are a bit of work when trying to ski flat and slow. They need some speed or some power via steep to work. The 88's don't care (at least my ancient pair which are several revisions behind and definitely not as torsionally stiff as the current 88).

Also the 82's just want to fly if you let them run at 180. I see no reason for the 187 for anything I would ever do.

Also I got lazy they other day and got spanked and sent over the high side by those bitches. Pay to play.

[buttahflake]

That OG Brahma is totally clapped out, of course it’s not demanding

[uglymoney]

Yeah. And since mine rarely see rocks they have lived to like 147 dog years. I haven't ridden anything newer (gens). So my perspective is skewed. The 82's rip and they require some focus, power or speed to work for me. Not race ski focus. I know a couple guys with the old Latigo who do fine on those but wouldn't be able to really get the good out of the 82.

[gnarbro365]

Am I right to assume the Sheeva 10 is a shrink-and-pink version of the Rustler 10? Ye ol' Lady liked the Sheevas, but can't find a pair.

[sf]

Am I right to assume the Sheeva 10 is a shrink-and-pink version of the Rustler 10? Ye ol' Lady liked the Sheevas, but can't find a pair.

A couple of Rustler/Sheeva comments from people in the know earlier in the thread.
I ended up with 172 r11 for my GF, rather than s11s. They were cheaper, and soft enough. In comparable lengths they are pretty similar.
The r11 are similar/slightly softer than 164 s9s.
But as mentioned, details earlier in the thread.

[esseff]

Pretty much my 180 experience.

For the record I own the new 82 Brahma in 180

They need some speed or some power via steep to work.

Also the 82's just want to fly if you let them run at 180. I see no reason for the 187 for anything I would ever do.

[gnarbro365]

A couple of Rustler/Sheeva comments from people in the know earlier in the thread.
I ended up with 172 r11 for my GF, rather than s11s. They were cheaper, and soft enough. In comparable lengths they are pretty similar.
The r11 are similar/slightly softer than 164 s9s.
But as mentioned, details earlier in the thread.

Cyyyyyopy that. Thanks!

[slowroastin]

I find my 2018 Brahma a bit lacking in edge grip and turn initiation. I really like them at slower speeds in tighter bumped out east coast manmade crud, but find myself overpowering them and losing edge during GS turns. Thinking about the MX89 or possibly the MX99. Anybody ride both Blizzard and Kastle respective skis? It seems the lack of rocker in the MX would give me what I’m looking for.


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[ntblanks]

I find my 2018 Brahma a bit lacking in edge grip and turn initiation. I really like them at slower speeds in tighter bumped out east coast manmade crud, but find myself overpowering them and losing edge during GS turns. Thinking about the MX89 or possibly the MX99. Anybody ride both Blizzard and Kastle respective skis? It seems the lack of rocker in the MX would give me what I’m looking for.


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never skied the brahma, only the bonafide. but i will say that the mx99 is a lot of ski. definitely on the wide side for a groomer ski imo. and tails aren't super forgiving. they want speed. not interested in noodling around. I've got them in 184 and am not quite sure what their optimal terrain is. still learning. regardless, a burly ski.

[slowroastin]

never skied the brahma, only the bonafide. but i will say that the mx99 is a lot of ski. definitely on the wide side for a groomer ski imo. and tails aren't super forgiving. they want speed. not interested in noodling around. I've got them in 184 and am not quite sure what their optimal terrain is. still learning. regardless, a burly ski.

How do they flex compared to the Bonafide? And do you ski a comparable size in both?

Im on the 180 Brahma’s. Cant decide between the 180 or 188 mx89. Thats why the mx99 in 184 has my interest.

Im 6’ 225lbs. Working on getting back down to 205.


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[ntblanks]

How do they flex compared to the Bonafide? And do you ski a comparable size in both?

Im on the 180 Brahma’s. Cant decide between the 180 or 188 mx89. Thats why the mx99 in 184 has my interest.

Im 6’ 225lbs. Working on getting back down to 205.


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I'm pretty new to both skis. I've got bones in 180 and they're fun, fast, maneuverable, yet very damp. the mx99s have more of a locked-in, GS race-inspired feel to them, but on a big, wide platform. 22.6 turn radius. they are 4cm longer but it's more than that. i think flex is pretty similar.

at 205, let alone 225, the 184 99s should be totally manageable if you're a good skier. but if i was looking for more of a piste ski I'd lean to the narrower waist even if it meant going up in length. I don't know if I've got weak ankles or something, but i strongly prefer sub-95mm underfoot for on-piste. 89 might be the sweet spot and much closer to your brahmas.

[slowroastin]

I'm pretty new to both skis. I've got bones in 180 and they're fun, fast, maneuverable, yet very damp. the mx99s have more of a locked-in, GS race-inspired feel to them, but on a big, wide platform. 22.6 turn radius. they are 4cm longer but it's more than that. i think flex is pretty similar.

at 205, let alone 225, the 184 99s should be totally manageable if you're a good skier. but if i was looking for more of a piste ski I'd lean to the narrower waist even if it meant going up in length. I don't know if I've got weak ankles or something, but i strongly prefer sub-95mm underfoot for on-piste. 89 might be the sweet spot and much closer to your brahmas.

Thanks for the words of advise. Im going to make a decision today. I may just end up sticking with the Brahma’s after this experiment because I like them so much. Although when it comes time to replace them I’ll probably go with the new Bonafide. That newer tip is design is appealing.


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[wasatchback]

Thanks for the words of advise. Im going to make a decision today. I may just end up sticking with the Brahma’s after this experiment because I like them so much. Although when it comes time to replace them I’ll probably go with the new Bonafide. That newer tip is design is appealing.


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At your height/weight the longer length Brahma would accomplish what you’re looking for as far as stability and edge grip at speed.

The new model comes in a 183 and has more stability at speed but might actually be a bit easier in tighter spaces and crud. Might solve your issues with speed/grip but not cause other ones where you like the present model’s
Performance.

[skibrd]

The black carbon MX99 isn’t what you are looking for. I haven’t been on the new MX98. If you can find an older pair of MX98s, the red tip ones, that might be what you are looking for. Same with the MX89s.

I’ve been on both Kaestle and Blizzards, have the 187 Brahmas, and 194 MX98s. I love my Kaestles, but personally I think unless you are skiing 80+ days a year, I’d stick with Blizzards. Get the longer Brahmas, the 187s area much better ski for your height and weight.

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the options you have. The Blizzards are more forgiving, if you don’t have a bloated quiver, I’d stick with them.


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[ntblanks]

The black carbon MX99 isn’t what you are looking for.

[realizing this is the Blizzard thread]

since it came up, would you care to share thoughts about what conditions are a good fit for the flat-tail mx99? i can't imagine taking it off piste unless i was 100% sure the snow was consistent 10" down or more. is this just a wide piste ski meant to dominate on storm days?