Gear Review: Blizzard Zero G 95 Skis
Price: $699.99
Weight Per Pair: 1250 grams | 2.75 lbs (Size 178cm)
Dimensions: 128-95-111.5 mm
Turn Radius: 21.0m (178 cm)
Lengths: 85, 85W, 95, 108
Summary: The Blizzard Zero G 95 is a great ski for ski mountaineering. It’s lightweight, stable, stiff, and responsive which allows it to handle any and all conditions that the mountains (or myself) can throw at it. Two thumbs up.
Buy Blizzard Zero G 95 Skis On Backcountry.com
In 2015/2016 Blizzard Skis released a new free touring backcountry ski series called the Zero G. It’s one of the lightest ski options on the market, yet it can still handle all sorts of conditions – making it ideal for both the up and the down.
As I was in the market for a new ski mountaineering ski this season, I picked up a pair of the Blizzard Zero G 95 skis. Designed to be light on the uphill and responsive on the downhill, the Zero G 95 delivered in all conditions – corn, powder, crud, frozen salsa, chalk.
Blizzard utilizes a special “technology” called Carbon Drive to deliver stability, stiffness, and the confidence inspiring ride. The Carbon Drive is a 3D unidirectional carbon fiber frame that is combined with ultra lightweight paulownia wood core construction.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Blizzard Zero G skis is constructed:
- Carbon Drive – Integration 3D unidirectional carbon fiber frame for optimal flexion and torsional rigidity that provides stability and control.
- Sidewall – Sandwich compound construction improves transmission of movements to edge by allowing constant pressure along the length of ski. This results in control, stability, and carvability. The sidewall is thick underfoot and narrows towards the tails.
- Rocker Camber Rocker – The ski has traditional camber underfoot that adds responsiveness and pop to the turns. Rocker on tip and tail increases both control and flotation. The tail rocker also allows you to back up easily when necessary.
Overall I’m very happy with the Blizzard Zero G 95 skis and am stoked to have them as my go-to ski mountaineering ski. They can handle anything I throw at them and when chasing bigger lines you get whatever comes your way. A few things I have noted about the skis:
- Weight – The Blizzard Zero G 95 is lightweight. Super lightweight. It feels like feathers on my feet. This is fantastic for the uphill, but the skis still ski like a lightweight ski and can get deflected by things like sastrugi or frozen chicken heads. It takes a bit of getting used to after skiing on something stiffer and heavier (Liberty Variant 97s) for years. After that learning curve is over, I was able to tweak my skiing a bit. Now they ski great and I trust them in everything.
- Width – I usually shoot for something between 90 and 100 for ski mountaineering. I’m pleased with the 95 width underfoot, but always wonder what the Zero G 108 would have skied like – still lightweight, but with a bit more float. Maybe I’ll have to pick a pair up!
- Length – These skis feel short. I like a shorter ski (180ish) for ski mountaineering so that I can fit through tighter places. I was on a 179 for a long time and dropped down to the 178 – not a big change, yet the Zero G 95 in 178 feels way shorter to me. Maybe this is a combination of length and weight? Kind of wished I’d jumped up to the 185 length…
- Primary Use – I would not pick this ski as my daily touring driver nor would I want to ski this ski in the resort or as a telemark ski (yes I still telemark sometimes), but for ski mountaineering missions this is currently my number one choice. It’s lightweight, stiff, responsive, and stable – ideal for big uphills and variable downhills.
- Durability – These things are bomber (so far). After spending a lot of time in the mountains, these things have held up exceptionally well. Despite a few knicks in the top sheet due to driver error, these things are still in mint condition. Usually with a ski I expect a core shot or two by this point in time, but nothing so for. Let’s see how long that will last.
- Tail Clip – The tail features a small piece of rubber that has a nice groove to hold your skin tail clip in place. Didn’t think much about this feature, but it certainly does help to keep the skins on – something that’s often a problem on more rockered skis.
- I’m stoked to travel with the Blizzard Zero G 95’s. Ski mountaineering gear adds up and having the Zero G 95’s will definitely cut down on weight for my baggage allowance, Chile here we come!
I’ve been using a pair of Black Diamond Ascension Nylon skins with the Zero G’s. I just found out that Blizzard has custom fit skins available for the Zero G series on their website. Those might be worth checking out if you’re updating your quiver.
I’ve skied about 75000 vertical feet on these skis. I’m 6’1″ and weight 190. My Blizzard Zero G 95 skis are size 178. They are paired with a Dynafit Radical 2 Binding and the Dynafit TLT6 Performance boots. The Blizzard Zero G 95 skis combined with the Dynafit Radical 2 binding weighs 3868 grams/ 8.8 lbs for both skis and bindings.
Ultimately I give the Blizzard Zero G two thumbs up. It’s the lightest weight ski that I’ve ever owned and it’s perfect for what I use it for – long missions deep in the mountains. Buy a pair.
Blizzard Zero G 95 Specs
- Lengths: 164, 171, 178, 185cm
- Sidecut: 128-95-111.5 mm
- Radius: 21.0m (178 cm)
- Construction: Sandwich Compound Sidewall; Carbon Drive Technology
- Weight: 1070g (164); 1150g (171); 1250g (178); 1330g (185)
- Binding: Flat
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year
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