2027 Blizzard Zero G 96 W

The 2027 Blizzard Zero G 96 W is a fantastic option for touring enthusiasts who are looking to maximize the blend of uphill efficiency with downhill versatility. These skis are built with a lightweight wood core, a multi-radius sidecut, and touring-specific skin notches to make them ideally suited for human-powered skiing. We feel that there's not a lot of resort capacity here, and that's okay—if you want a set of skis that'll be perfect for touring and backcountry adventures, a specific ski like the Zero G 96 W is all you'll need.

Built with Blizzard's Trueblend Tour 2.0 core, the skis get a mixture of poplar and paulownia. The poplar makes the ski smooth and predictable while the paulownia keeps it light and peppy. We also see the use of an ash binding insert here to maintain retention and give the ski a bit of power in the underfoot zone. All told, the skis sit on the scale at 1200 g/ski in the 171 cm length, and that's pretty darn light. Because this is the W version of the ski, Blizzard does take steps to make a bit lighter of a weight and softer of a flex, reducing stiffness by a stated 9.7%.

At 96 mm underfoot, these skis can handle a wide array of terrain and conditions. They have a straighter cut in the middle of the ski to ensure confidence in steeper and sketchier conditions while the tips and tails are a bit turnier. The 171 produces an average 19-meter turn radius and has measurements of 126/96/110. While we get some early rise in the tips and the tails, the rocker profile of the ski is not all that dramatic. With positive camber underfoot, the skis produce good edge grip and energy as well as climbing efficiency.

This is a specific ski to backcountry and touring use. As a result, there's not an enormous audience here as it has a unique blend of attributes. They will not function well as a resort or even hybrid option; rather, they work best in untracked snow and in long climbs. In that zone, however, it's tough to find a lighter or more versatile ski for adventures and longer trips than the Blizzard Zero G 96 W.