2025 Blizzard Anomaly 102

It's tough replacing legendary skis, so you must come up with something new and interesting. Blizzard’s 2025 Anomaly 102 is a successful ski in this endeavor. Since they re-vamped their entire all-mountain line, some skis had to go. The Bonafide 97 and the Cochise 106 are now gone. It’s fair to say that the 102 split the difference between those vacated spots. It also opened a lane for the Anomaly 94, mixing the Brahma 88 and the Bonafide widths. All new Anomaly skis share similar builds, with different shapes and profiles to keep them separate. The 102 is the widest, and in addition to providing rock-solid performance on the feet of aggressive all-mountain skiers, it’s also got some soft snow capabilities. It’s not quite the freeride ski that the Rustler 10 has turned out to be, but it’s useful in soft snow.

Built with Blizzards’s True Blend All-Mountain wood core consisting of poplar and beech stringers, the Anomaly 102 has a strong and sturdy core. The beech stringers are longer than the poplar ones, extending further into the tips and tails than the poplar. Along the sides, most of the wood shifts back to the lighter poplar to boost flexibility and approachability. They put a full sheet of metal on the bottom and then get a bit more creative with the upper laminates. By taking a full sheet and cutting the central strip out, they can layer the metal in a more effective manner. The arms along the side provide more grip and power to the edges while the center chord keeps the ski smooth and vibration-free. The result is a strong and capable ski in all conditions and terrain. It’s got some heft as well, with the 188 sitting on the scale at a stated weight of 2240 g/ski.

At 102 mm underfoot, the Anomaly is a softer snow charger and functions very well at higher speeds. These characteristics do not change from years and skis past, carrying through to the new models. In the 188, which is a pretty big ski, the 102 hits 24-meters in the turn radius. This is certainly on the long side and aids in high speed stability. In addition, the shape makes it easier for skiers to break free from a turn and drift the thing sideways when asked. There is tip and tail rocker and width-appropriate taper, allowing the Anomaly 102 to be a decent floater for its width and weight. Tester Matt Stromecki notes that “This ski feels chargey and stable. It doesn't hook into the turn aggressively, although that's something that could be altered with a different tune. Instead, it prefers to roll in gradually, but once you're there, it's a beefy feel for sure. It's not terribly playful--more business-like than fun-loving, but that is what sets it apart from the Rustler 10 in Blizzard's line.” This separation is key, especially since they occupy very similar widths. Other than the waist width number, these are very opposite skis.

Experts will get the most out of the new 2025 Blizzard Anomaly 102. This ski rocks when it comes to higher speeds, straighter lines, and more aggressive driving. It can carve—it has two sheets of metal after all—but if you are willing to put in some effort to get it to drift, it’ll answer that call. While it’s not as approachable or agile as the Rustler 10, it certainly fares better when encountering open zones, crud, windblown snow, and other adverse conditions. Technical skiers will love the power while those who are more moderate may find it to be slightly unwieldly.