What's Blizzard up to?

[Reformed]

Personally, I like the fact that they (and the new R10) are not as "turny" as the old R10. All my Rustlers are detuned slightly to a 2 degree side edge bevel . . .

I would be interested in hearing more of your thoughts on the new R10. I think you mentioned further up thread that the new R10 addresses the shortcomings of the previous generation and that the new ski rips. Given how many of us seem to have been searching for the elusive R10.5 previously, I am surprised there hasn't been more chatter about the updated R10.

I know, HL is deservedly receiving a ton of TGR love these days, but I'm not really seeing an analogue to this class of ski in their lineup. Yet...

[Fishskisurf]

Seems like the R9 and R11 over the past few years have gained fandom but the R10 has been either in between or just meh....always thought an R10 would be a great 1 ski quiver, low/mid 100's underfoot, can do a little bit of everything well enough,(albeit not a charger) perfect to throw in the truck when you're not sure what to expect on the hill, or travel with when conditions are unknown.
I value having that versatile ski in a quiver so would be interested in the R10. Prior generations never seemed to receive enough praise to justify making a buy, but would also be curious to hear more R10 thoughts, seems like this might be a better version?

[singlesline]

Seems like the R9 and R11 over the past few years have gained fandom but the R10 has been either in between or just meh....always thought an R10 would be a great 1 ski quiver, low/mid 100's underfoot, can do a little bit of everything well enough,(albeit not a charger) perfect to throw in the truck when you're not sure what to expect on the hill, or travel with when conditions are unknown.
I value having that versatile ski in a quiver so would be interested in the R10. Prior generations never seemed to receive enough praise to justify making a buy, but would also be curious to hear more R10 thoughts, seems like this might be a better version?

I'm one of the few who has just loved the R10. Mine are the original release (they tweaked them in 2019-adding more weight, but mostly underfoot).

It has just been a fantastic daily driver in whitefish and worked well as a 1-ski quiver--100% what I would grab for travel and while I never did the 50/50 thing, the 17 and 18 models were pretty light. *Maybe* I'd be worried about weight/dampness if I skied heavier PNW snow, but for CO/UT/MT/BC they were great.

The known shortcomings are present but they just didn't bother me:
-Some people thought they were "too turny" but I love that feel as it adds to the playfulness to me. The metal gives them a lot of snap out of the turns that reminded me of my old 2000s era tight radius slalom skis.
-They definitely had a speed limit but I was usually OK with it because A) if I'm going that fast, it means I wasn't turning enough, and B) I have a pretty high tolerance for chatter and tip deflection before getting too freaked out, and they were an easy ski to shut down.
-I only rarely experienced the hook-up/hinge point issue.

They were just so fun in the trees and noodling around making lots of turns. They clearly aren't big chargers, but I never felt like they limited the terrain I could ski, just the speed at which I could ski it...which is fine by me, more time spent skiing even if total vert is lower.

I really want to try the new R10, and was literally just fondling a pair in the shop an hour ago, but I'm a little sad to hear they've lost some of the super-turny feel. Given that, I'd probably step down from the 188 to the 186 rather than going to the 192.

[gregL]

I would be interested in hearing more of your thoughts on the new R10.

It's good enough that you should buy a pair and ski them. I went from a 180 to 186 and mounted +5mm; detuned from 1 and 2.8 to 1 and 2. Have skied it 2/3 of my days this season.

[bry]

^^Great deal for an awesome ski that's not coming back next year.

[Westcoaster]

It's good enough that you should buy a pair and ski them. I went from a 180 to 186 and mounted +5mm; detuned from 1 and 2.8 to 1 and 2. Have skied it 2/3 of my days this season.

How would you contrast em with enforcer frees? I'm assuming a bit softer?

[rainy512day]

It's good enough that you should buy a pair and ski them. I went from a 180 to 186 and mounted +5mm; detuned from 1 and 2.8 to 1 and 2. Have skied it 2/3 of my days this season.

+5mm? How did you land on that vs. recommended or +1cm?

[gregL]

+5mm? How did you land on that vs. recommended or +1cm?

Spur of the moment judgement call as I was drilling them; I remember feeling like the tip was a bit heavy when I demoed them the year previous but not enough to warrant +1cm . . . but I wasn't wrong.

[gregorys]

I managed to get a few laps on the 102s in a 182. Really enjoyed them. Still very capable but a bit more forgiving and versatile than my Bonafides, especially in softer choppy snow. Will be a really nice Louise ski.

As a raving Cochise/Bodacious guy I'm really worried about this transition.
Mainly I'm worried that the Cochise is going to get "Russler-ized" and be much less of a charger than previously.

Anyone want to talk me down off the ledge, that's skied these? (Or do I need to hoard another pair of Cochise 108 or 106's - or why not both, eh?)

[Bandit Man]

Get another Cochise 106/108. You’ll never see skis like that again in your lifetime from Blizzard.

[XavierD]

X2 on getting another pair of Cochise in the variant you prefer. Odds of that ski coming back are low and you can likely get a pair on the cheap.

[Gweilo]

I’ve had a few days already on the new R10 in 192, mainly in soft snow conditions and I it’s exactly what I was hoping which is a narrower 192 R11 when it’s not deep enough : super strong au patin and still loose at both ends, and at last not too turny. Definitely worth the buy.

Will too buy some Cochise 106 just in case. Not too sure abt the longest length tho


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[roQer]

Don’t really get this nostalgia for old school chargers. The current crop of modern chargy skis like M-Free 108, Sender Free 110, Blade Optic 104/114 and Unleashed 108/114 are much more fun and won’t for sure hold you back.

[SoVT Joey]

Don’t really get this nostalgia for old school chargers. The current crop of modern chargy skis like M-Free 108, Sender Free 110, Blade Optic 104/114 and Unleashed 108/114 are much more fun and won’t for sure hold you back.

I guess we all define chargers differently.

[roQer]

If you define a charger as a ski which actually people are charging on then you won’t see any Cochises or Bodacious. I mean really charging in real terrain not just skiing fast some black runs.

[phatty]

Don’t really get this nostalgia for old school chargers. The current crop of modern chargy skis like M-Free 108, Sender Free 110, Blade Optic 104/114 and Unleashed 108/114 are much more fun and won’t for sure hold you back.

While I agree, there's something to be said for a true (e.g. Not playful) charger. I love the MFree and am getting along with the Hotshot. But I still reach for my Moment Commanders most of the time. There's a place for both in most quivers.

[SoVT Joey]

If you define a charger as a ski which actually people are charging on then you won’t see any Cochises or Bodacious. I mean really charging in real terrain not just skiing fast some black runs.

bodacious is one of the most versatile skis ever made. Same with a cochise. Ski companies are trying to make skis more accessible for more people to drive higher ski sales. The only charger you listed is the m-free. Otherwise you listed three noodles that get tossed in crud and crap snow.

I guess Arne didn’t charge in your view apparently.

[roQer]

The only charger you listed is the m-free. Otherwise you listed three noodles that get tossed in crud and crap snow.

I guess Arne didn’t charge in your view apparently.

At this point I had to laugh. Did you ski any of the „noodles“?
Arne did of course charge at his time but this can’t be compared to charging today. Just watch today‘s FWT comp in Verbier. Different world.

[SoVT Joey]

At this point I had to laugh. Did you ski any of the „noodles“?
Arne did of course charge at his time but this can’t be compared to charging today. Just watch today‘s FWT comp in Verbier. Different world.

yes. I’ve skied all four of them. They are soft and underwhelming. FWT is great, athletes are choosing skis based on the performance need for big mountain and airs. They definitely charge, but I’m not going to sit here and tell you that a black crows anima is a charger.

[roQer]

Kind of funny opinion but whatever. Great we have choices.

[kid-kapow]

yes. I’ve skied all four of them. They are soft and underwhelming.

hm, I guess that is one way to skin the cat. Blister and a fair few strong skiers on here are of a differeing opinion, which is fine, we do not need to agree.

It also seems that a clarification of what constitutes "a charger" is in order. Long radius wants to go straight - sure. The other skis have the ability to go fast, but also fits more while also requiring more skier finesse to haul, while being able to do a whole lot more for most strong skiers than the traditional "lets see how few turns we can make" type skis. So perhaps the term needs some evolution as well.

Oh well - good thing we have Heritage Labs. I can't recall the last time I saw anybody on either Bonafides or Cochises around here or on sale for less than say 30-40% off, so I can't really fault a major brand from trying to make something most skiers in a given segment want and need, without catering to the most niche of niches - discerning chargers on TGR. And huzzah, we know have a brand that caters to just that niche - so winning all around no?

[cbgarrett]

X2 on getting another pair of Cochise in the variant you prefer. Odds of that ski coming back are low and you can likely get a pair on the cheap.

Bingo. Get a couple backup pairs and you are set. Lucky for me I am partial to the OG cochise. Always plenty of used ones around when I need to re-stock. Probably less so the newer ones (which I never liked as much).

[XavierD]

Don’t really get this nostalgia for old school chargers. The current crop of modern chargy skis like M-Free 108, Sender Free 110, Blade Optic 104/114 and Unleashed 108/114 are much more fun and won’t for sure hold you back.

I personally agree, but know some people want to keep skiing the long radius, low rocker flat tail skis -

Even if the modern generation of fast skiing pro skiers are still going absolutely nuts on the “soft playful accessible” skis.


I’d much rather ski any of the ones you mentioned over a Cochise.

[Bandit Man]

Don’t really get this nostalgia for old school chargers. The current crop of modern chargy skis like M-Free 108, Sender Free 110, Blade Optic 104/114 and Unleashed 108/114 are much more fun and won’t for sure hold you back.

I’m with you in terms of really enjoying the current offerings. I’m also realizing that my skiing has likely changed as skis have changed. Last time I got on my OG Cochise 108, I recall thinking “Why did I ever think these were so great?” Then I swap back to my M102 and I’m back in my happy place. [emoji16]

All that being said, I recall those days when I felt like my Cochise were “cold dead hands” kind of skis. At that point in ski evolution, they likely were. As you said, lots of powerful but fun designs out these days.

[skibrd]

I’m with you in terms of really enjoying the current offerings. I’m also realizing that my skiing has likely changed as skis have changed. Last time I got on my OG Cochise 108, I recall thinking “Why did I ever think these were so great?” Then I swap back to my M102 and I’m back in my happy place. [emoji16]

All that being said, I recall those days when I felt like my Cochise were “cold dead hands” kind of skis. At that point in ski evolution, they likely were. As you said, lots of powerful but fun designs out these days.

I’m catching up and it’s interesting you didn’t like the R9s for the exact same reasons I loved it. I would add in that if I drove the tips hard and got really far forward on them I could get them to carve little tight turns, but that has never really been my style. I’m more of a middle to long turn skier.

What I did love is how they felt with trees, bumps, and chopped up groomers at the end of the day. I didn’t have to think about the R9 because they felt like an extension of my legs. Even took them OB a few times in various density pow up to 6-8in and didn’t really have issues, where if I had a flat tailed similar width more carving centric ski I would have been scared.

For tune I made the edges round on the rocker section and taper the edges to 3-6in in front and behind of my feet.


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