THE 2023 PEOPLE’S SKI TEST PREVIEW
Now that the year’s latest and greatest skis are arriving at your local ski shop, in an effort to help determine which...
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – ROSSIGNOL BLACKOPS RALLYBIRD
ROSSIGNOL BLACKOPS RALLYBIRD
Category: Freeride
Lengths: 154, 162, 170
Dimensions: 137/101/127 @ 162
Radius: 13m @ 162
MSRP: $799
More info: rossignol.com
“Call your lady shred posse! The Rossignol Blackops Rallybird is here to get the girls out and shred any big or pretty little line their hearts desire. This ski will inspire confidence in any skier to try new things. It has a combination of dampness and power, but lacks some of the poppy, playful characteristics that other skis in this category manifest. That being said, it didn’t hesitate to charge through chunder, and was more than reliable in challenging terrain. With a 16-metre turn radius and 102-millimetre waist width, it maintained its manoeuvrability and control in all conditions. The lightweight nature of this ski also gives it the opportunity to be both a touring ski and an all-mountain shredder, without a compromise in performance. This makes the Rallybird a great choice for an intermediate resort skier wanting to get started in the backcountry.” – Katie Spittlehouse
Reviewer’s Rating: On Piste: 7/10 • Off Piste: 9/10
Average Rating: On Piste: 7/10 • Off Piste: 8.5/10
REVIEWER BIO:
Katie Spittlehouse
Age: 30 / Height: 5’8” / Weight: 155 lbs / Occupation: MRI Technologist
Originally from Ontario, Katie Spittlehouse has lived in Rossland since 2014, where she works as an MRI technologist and a coach of the Canadian Paralympic Ski Team—which means she knows a thing or two about proper ski technique. As a result, Spittlehouse is all about arcing pristine slalom turns on fresh corduroy, but like the rest of us, loves nothing more than a bottomless pow day with friends. Her typical ski is around 110 millimetres in the waist, with camber underfoot and rocker in the tip and tail, in a 175- to 180-centimetre range.
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THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – BLIZZARD HUSTLE 10
There are plenty of touring skis on the market, but with the all-new Hustle 10, Blizzard has taken a different approach by focusing on downhill performance first, and then making it into a lightweight uphill machine.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – BLIZZARD RUSTLER 10
The Blizzard Rustler 10 is a reliable and agile all-mountain ski that tackled any type of terrain with poise and ease.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – BLIZZARD SHEEVA 11
The Blizzard Sheeva 11 is the perfect example of a versatile ski. It performed well in both soft and hard pack conditions, and was able to handle all sorts of variable terrain.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – DYNASTAR M-FREE 108
The Dynastar M-Free 108 is a light, nimble and amazing freeride ski that was easy to operate and manoeuvre all over the mountain in any type of snow conditions.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – DYNASTAR M-FREE 99
It’s hard to put into words just how much I loved the Dynastar M-Free 99, as it’s one of the most dependable and versatile pair of planks that I’ve had the joy of clicking into.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – DYNASTAR E-PRO 99
If you’re like me, you dream about powder skis and touring skis, but give little thought to the ski you’re on 90 per cent of the time—the every day ski. The E-Pro 99 changed that for me.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – FACTION MANA 3
The all-new Faction Mana 3 is the perfect compromise between the directional versus double rocker dilemma.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – FACTION PRODIGY 3
As much as we would all love to ski fresh tracks all day, every day, the reality is, if you want to get after it, some days you’re going to be crushing pre-loved pow.
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