Great short review and comparison video. Would really appreciate a new 2024 Blizzard Rustler 9 vs the Atomic Maverick 95. Curious about the carving (on groomed) and off piste comparison? I know the Atomic is light, but my Backland's carve pretty well for such a light ski and yet they ski well off piste. Honestly, they make me nervous when bombing it because they are so light, but the more I ski it the more confident I feel on it. Thoughts?

Great review, thank you! do you have a comparison between the Blizz Rustler 9 and Hustle 9? I need a ski that can go everywhere and I can enjoy bump runs. I will not be going faster than 40 mph but love going through trees, moguls and through powder. (experienced 58 year old skier, 5'7", 165 lbs)

Could you comment a little more about what I will notice in the Rustler 9 on front side. I purchased the Rustler 9 2023 last season and found that it felt weak on front side. I wound up selling it. The 2023 9 was light, but also gave too much chatter. Will I have more fun on front side with the 2024 Rustler 9? Will the tail give it too much of a twin tip effect and wash out? I am seeking the versatility of the 9 while keeping much of the front side fun. I am a stronger skier who likes shorter skies , 65 yrs old, (5'9", 175) and might lean toward the 168.

Great review. Seems like one of the themes in this comparisons is around the difference in stability at speed and 'playfulness' - hard to optimize both. Seems like the Blizzard-like construction gives you maybe less top end speed / stability, but maybe good enough for most of us most of the time, unless you wanna ski fast all day? Anyway, love these comparisons - thanks.

@TheSkiMonster

10 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Awesome review! Def looking to buy the new Rustler 9. I noticed on your website that the recommended binding is the Marker Griffon ID with 100 mm brake. I have never ski'd the Griffon, or the Look Pivot, or Salomon Strive for that matter, so I don't have a bias...but those were the three that I was considering. Curious what the reason is for recommending the Marker Griffon over the others? Any additional insight as to the binder preference and reasoning would be appreciated! Thx

@TheSkiMonster

4 ай бұрын

1. The griffon was the binding blizzard used when developing the ski. 2. It transmits energy really well, it drives skis better than other bindings. Strive is great, Marker has just a bit of an edge

Love that you're being short and to the point about these comparisons! Do you think your conclusion tranfers to the bigger brothers of those two skis? I.e. the Enforcer 104 Free / Enforcer 104 Unlimited vs Rustler 10? I imagine the Unlimited version to be more playful while sacrificing some stability at speed?

@TheSkiMonster

9 ай бұрын

@hel_dic, The Enforcer 104 vs the Rustler 10 is a close comparison. The Rustler is still a more playful option due to a shorter radius and less metal where the Enforcer feels a little stronger on edge. The Rustler is more maneuverable through tighter terrain while the Enforcer feels a little more stable at higher speeds and is less easily deflected through chopped up snow thanks to a longer radius, more metal. The Unlimited 104 is an alpine touring ski that can handle resort days. It’s light, nimble, and energetic. It isn't a ski you buy to crush groomers. It uses carbon instead of metal which lightens the ski up and allows it to feel nimble/energetic. Compared to the 104 Free or Rustler 10, the Unlimited 104 is less powerful and stable but is a great option for skiers who tour, hunt for soft snow, and spend time in technical terrain.

@hel_dic

8 ай бұрын

Thanks a ton! Rustler it is. :) @@TheSkiMonster

Super helpful review! I’m thinking of getting the Rustlers. They look super fun. I am wondering if I should go for the 174 or the 180? I am used to skiing a Elan Wingman at 172 but there is obviously less effective edge on the rustlers. For context I am a 5’10 advanced skier looking for something that’s good a carving on piste but also pretty playful. Thanks!!

@TheSkiMonster

8 ай бұрын

@TheStandardmilk, Our testers who are the same height as you generally prefer the 180cm length. If you’re an advanced skier the 180 offers a bit more stability, grip and power on groomers (when compared to shorter Rustler 9s) but won’t feel like “too much ski” if you take it off piste. The rustler even in the 180cm length is plenty playful without sacrificing groomer performance.

@TheStandardmilk

8 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Thanks for the great review as always! I'm looking at getting a pair of Rustler 9s or Enforcer 94s for my 20yr old son who skis mainly in the east, but a couple trips out west each year. He's an expert skier, but only 5' 6 1/2" (169.25) cm tall and 150 lbs. Stuck between sizes it seems, and not sure if I should get him the 168 or 174 Rustler, or the 165 or 172 Enforcer. Any suggestions for sizing in either? He currently skis a pair of 170 cm Volkl RTMs for reference.

@TheSkiMonster

7 ай бұрын

@mwlivingstoncolorado, If your son is an expert skier he can go with either length but there are some differences in how each length will ski. The 174 Rustler or 172 Enforcer are going to be more stable at high speeds and offer more effective edge on groomers. The shorter length option would allow for a higher level of maneuverability off trail and prefer shorter turn shapes on groomers. Our testers that are built similarly tend to prefer the longer length in these skis, if your son on a 170 rtm he’d probably prefer the longer length option as well.

@oakleyv4582

5 ай бұрын

I’m the same height and weight as your son, also expert but I’m 52 yo. I have the Enforcer 93 in 169 length and I handle it fine. Best skis I ever had. Crushes the steep groomers, great in bumps too, and stable at high speed. At 20, your kid could definitely handle the 172, no sweat.

The shape of the metal in the Rustler 9 looks identical to what K2 has been doing with their MindBender series for the past 4 years.

@TheSkiMonster

10 ай бұрын

@user-bv1er1pt9s, K2’s Y-Beam is more comparable to Fischer’s Shaped Ti. Where there is edge to edge metal underfoot and more metal extending into tip and tail in the narrower waist width than the wider ones. Blizzards Flux form is the same EXCEPT the metal extends all way to tip and tail. Y Beam and Shaped Ti feel more hinge like where the Ti stops in the tip and tail and creates a more hollow feeling. Y Beam is a little more like the DRT in previous Rustler.

What is the weight of the two skis? It would be really useful to be able to compare the weights.

@TheSkiMonster

10 ай бұрын

@roodud, thanks for the note. You can always find the weights on our website in the tech specs section of each ski. The Enforcer 94 is 2100g per ski in 186cm and the Rustler 9 is 1940g per ski in 180cm.

Rustler 9 is good fun but like you said it does chop out a bit at speed, aside from that it's awesome. What changes are coming for the Enforcer 94 in 24/25?

@TheSkiMonster

8 ай бұрын

Stay tuned! As soon as we are allowed to talk about them we'll let you know.

@turbo66

8 ай бұрын

@@TheSkiMonsterCan't wait! Hopefully it will still be a good option for us heavy fellas (240lb+ club)

I'm thinking of getting the Rustler 9. One question : I am 170 cm and skied on 165 as well as 172 Nordica Enforcer 94 last year. Does going to 174 cm on Rustler 9 seem like a bad idea? Or should be good given their lower effective length ?

@TheSkiMonster

9 ай бұрын

@navderm Hey there, our testers that are around the same height as you prefer the 174 Rustler 9 over the shorter lengths to maintain enough effective edge to keep you confident on a groomer or at higher speeds. The 174 is still nimble enough to keep you zipping through trees easily if you find yourself there. Let us know if you have any other questions!

How would you compare the new Rustler 9 with the Atomic Maverick 95 TI? I'm 6'2" 200lb 59 year but aggressive skier, looking for a all mountain that I can take out on light snow, still do groomers but also ski more in trees and bumps.

@TheSkiMonster

5 ай бұрын

The Rustler 9 is easier to dump speed, pivots more easily and is better in soft snow. The Maverick holds on in the tails better making it a better carver, it just hangs on. It can still do some off piste stuff just not as well as rustler. Rustler sounds like a good pick for you!

@chrisestes8458

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Really appreciate your thoughtful review, comparisons and responses. @@TheSkiMonster I will try and demo each but will start with the Rustler given all the recent snow...

Hi. I am 5'8 and I got my hands on a pair of Enforcer 99 179cm. I had a good deal on them but I am worried they might be too long for me. Do you think I could manage the length or I might be better off selling them?

@TheSkiMonster

3 ай бұрын

You’re good especially in 99 vs 100, new 99’s ski short. You’re going to love them

The Enforcer is more like the Brahma or Bonafide.. I don't think they have those skis in a 94 so I imagine that is why you are comparing Rustler 9

@TheSkiMonster

9 ай бұрын

@darinsmith2458, The marketing of the Enforcer series is more similar to the Brahma and Bonafide. However, on the hill testing these skis, the Enforcer is more similar to a Rustler than a Brahma/Bonafide. The Enforcer is awesome on groomers (as it’s advertised to be) but is more than capable off trail or in softer snow as well. The Rustler is more playful and isn’t as strong on a groomer but the Rustler and Enforcer are very similar skis.

@materlicante1615

8 ай бұрын

good to know these kinds of things when considering between all of those skis really @@TheSkiMonster

@matthewm8021

5 ай бұрын

@@materlicante1615I own the enforcer 93. I ski in the northeast and primarily on groomed trails. I’ve been very happy with them as they are a good all around ski, which is why I bought them.