2025 Blizzard Rustler 11

Returning unchanged for 2025, the Blizzard Rustler 11 offers wonderful freeride performance in a variety of sizes, making it a great choice for various sized skiers looking for a mid-110's soft snow ski. With Blizzard’s Fluxform construction and Trueblend wood core, there’s a lot of technology and sophistication here, bringing advanced and expert skiers the most when it comes to remarkable powder performance. While the Rustler 11 has been considered a specific ski for soft and deep snow, it’s one of the more versatile ones as well. The fact that there’s metal both underfoot and in the arms along the side makes for a smooth and seamless feel through crud and chop gives this ski a leg up on the competition. From the build and shape to the profile and taper, the 2025 Blizzard Rustler 11 is a pure powder ski for the best conditions on the planet.

Built with Blizzard’s Trueblend Free wood core consisting of beech, poplar, and paulownia, the skis also get the Fluxform treatment, with a metal plate underfoot and two titanal arms on the side. On top and bottom, the fiberglass laminates feature carbon stringers to deliver stiffness and energy to the mix. This blend of attributes goes a long way when it comes to creating a poppy powder ski. This is flexible enough to create playfulness, while keeping the energy of the ski at a maximum. The weight of 2070 grams per ski in the 186 does make it slightly hefty, but given the surface area, it feels somewhat lighter. Grant Weiler notes that the Rustler 11 is a “Crud buster! Likes to hold a long hard line through soft snow and chunder. Ski is fairly forgiving through a variety of turns and snow conditions. I had hoped it would be more playful, but the tail feels leaden - of course this is what gives it long line stability, but not recommended for those who like to get their feet of the ground in the bumps and side hits.” It’s always a challenge to mix agility in powder with higher speed stability, making it tough to get it all at the same time.

Matt Stromecki was pretty impressed as well, stating that “The Rustler was probably up there for the most surprising ski of the 2025 Ski Test for me personally. I was going in with zero expectations as I had skied any Blizzard skis before, and I walked away with such a big smile on my face. The titanal frame did wonders for both edge grip as well as allowing for some playfulness. Skiing felt effortless on this ski and it is tempting to say the least for me to pick up a pair next year. These skis had the energy of a full wood core ski but the edge grip and torsional rigidity of a full titanal laminate ski. SUPER FUN. I have been sitting in front of my computer screen trying to think of a weakness and I just can't place one that is significant enough for me to submit.” No worries and no need to try to hard to poke a hole in this ski, especially when used in the proper conditions and terrain. With more rocker and taper in the 11 than the other Rustlers, and with a lower overall splay, these surfy skis will stay afloat in most any depth of snow.

It’s all about the versatility here, though. At 114 mm underfoot, it’s hard to bring versatility into the discussion, but it’s right there. So many skiers want something that will float amazing in the powder and then be able to rip turns on groomers getting back to the lift. It’s hard to think of a better ski for that application than the sophisticated and rugged 2025 Blizzard Rustler 11.