2023 Blizzard Zero G 105

On the wider side of Blizzard’s dedicated ski touring line is the Zero G 105. This wide-bodied backcountry ski is both light and energetic at the same time, allowing skiers to be efficient on the ups and aggressive on the downs. The 105 is a great width and shape for touring, even if it’s slightly on the wide side for uphill strides, you more than make up for it in flotation and downhill performance. In the touring world, it’s all about blending and blurring the lines between those attributes, and the 2023 Blizzard Zero G 105 does it as good as any alpine touring ski out there. When paired with either a light weight tech binding or more of a hybrid style one, you’re sure to get a lot of performance out of them, making the ski your go-to model for snowy adventure days. The shape also provides for a bit longer of a turn radius, with the 180 cm length generating a 23-meter turn radius, the skis have the nice straight cut that makes the climb a lot more efficient as well as a smoother downhill personality that doesn’t hook or grab you through the turns.

Marcus Shakun skis the 188 and notes that it is perfect for him. He scored a top mark of 5 out of 5 for flotation, and 4’s for stability, forgiveness, torsional stiffness, edge grip, versatility, and overall impression. Quickness, maneuverability, and playfulness were all 3’s. This is a nice and high-level score from Marcus for the 2022 Blizzard Zero G 105, and it’s really nice to hear that these lightweight skis have so much going for them. He calls the 105 a “Light Weight Power House So nice to have a light but powerful touring ski. Not that it is overly aggressive, but it is just all there when you need it without all weight and materials. It isn’t overly quick edge to edge. I did find you can drive the shovel in and squeak some quicker turns if you power it. In the heavier dense snow or deep powder this ski really nails it. No question how stable it is and how well it pushes through without any limitations. Its lightness also makes it very maneuverable through the woods as you bounce from pocket to pocket of soft snow. Nice smooth ride on the groomers it has a denser plush ride. Holds really well on harder snow with its full side wall construction. so confident and stable under foot. On really hard conditions I felt the ski a bit more. Really more chatter and vibration than anything...the result of a light weight wider touring ski. Also, it’s not meant for everyday resort skiing I would say an 80 to 85% backcountry Advanced/Expert Backcountry skier looking to adventure off trail or early morning skins. Tours well and balanced for a wider touring ski and lighter than most narrower skis in this category.”

Dana Allen is 5’10” and he notes that the 180 seemed short for him, advising for skiers to size up if they’re on the fence. He gave it 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, quickness, maneuverability, stability, and flotation, noting that “This ski is light and quick. Not necessarily a hard snow specialist, but will definitely handle the condition. Great in soft chop. Didn’t deflect all that badly. Feels more like a directional ski. Generally, very quick edge to edge. Edge hold on high-speed long radius turns was OK, but definitely not as good as heavier skis with metal. I feel like the tail release would allow this key to pop around in the trees or choppy snow very well.” Interestingly, Brad Moskowitz found the 180 to feel long. He scored it 4’s for stability, flotation, torsional stiffness, and edge hold. Brad calls it “A lightweight yet powerful ski, the Zero-G 105 wants to reward the uphill driver with high-speed powder prowess and the stiffness to tackle steep and technical couloirs on the way down. This ski is stiff and not very shapely - with a 23-meter turning radius it prefers long turns and demands a skilled skier to keep them under your feet. For open terrain and higher speeds these skis should excel, but for tight New England trees, size down and hop turn away.”

Ski touring equipment has come a long way in a pretty short time, and the Blizzard Zero G 105 is a prime example of that movement. By using carbon, light wood, and innovative shaping, skiers get the best of all worlds when it comes to blending uphill efficiency with downhill and freeride fun.