The Blizzard SRC Racing S + Power 14 TCX ski is the top SL ski offer from Blizzard, aside from the dedicated FIS model. Don’t be fooled by how it looks nor by the idiotic piston in the middle of the plate. This is a very nice SL ski. As any other Slalom ski, it just wants to turn and turn, and turn once again.
The wide shovel will guide us inside every twirl easily, while the somewhat wider waist (70mm under the foot) will make things a bit easier for most users. Those experienced Slalom maniacs will enjoy this ski, although a narrower profile would have been more pleasant for them.
Blizzard SRC Racing S + Power 14 TCX © Blizzard – Tecnica Group S.p.A.
The construction method is classic and one of the most prolific in the top series of every major brand. Sandwich construction composed by a core wood, fiber, metal layers, and some magic notes called Marketing.
If you are reading this article, it is very likeky that you already know that this is the Blizzard’s Slalom flagship model. And of course it has all the goodies you may expect from a major brand. As in every good Slalom ski, the Blizzard SRC Racing S + Power 14 TCX has a nice chunky tip protector attached by three screws and some high spec glue.
The binding is a Power 14 TCX as Blizzard states, although it is manufactured by Marker. And it could well be a rebranded and improved 12.0 Glide Control D-System. Its biggest problem is the piston, which is extremely ridiculous. It can be a very compelling addition for some, but for many it will be just the opposite. Slalom skis are very desired pieces for great skiers and specially for those willing to become one of them. This “look at me, how super-cool I am” thing the piston is screaming at the future customer, is a very risky decision and, from my point of view, a very wrong one. Too much placebo.
As mentioned above, the Blizzard SRC Racing S has a classic sandwich construction. The tail has a remarkable sharp end, showing it’s pure SL character. This aspect is one of the key features between SL skis focused to a narrow or wide client target. The more rounded tail shapes are usually indicated for less experienced skiers. On the other hand, the narrower and sharper shapes are for those skiers with advanced skills.
Blizzard has some sanity in their branding features. The ski’s natural arch is called “Full Camber”, which is a way to explain that this ski hasn’t got any rocker at all. However, since everyone is talking about the reverse camber (the so-called rocker), nowadays Blizzard has found the need to clearly indicate this in their brochure.
Overall, this is a pure Slalom ski for the general public, but is obviously dedicated to those good skiers around the globe. It will be a very nice choice for those willing to make a thousand turns in every single one of their runs. This ski will put a smile in their face at the end of the day.
Could you comment on how these skis ski? Not wether or not the piston are a placebo?
Compared to other skis in the same category, perhaps? How does the tip engage? How is the balance? Stability? Grip? Rebound?
I’m not interested in a review of the marketing department of Blizzard, but I would like a review of the ski. You got one?
Hi Mr/Mrs Gijs
I’m afraid you should read this article twice since it contains all the necessary bits to get a clue about this ski’s behaviour. That said, I can conclude you didn’t like this review nor you will find the clues you are asking for. I invite you to look somewhere else and if you find something that suits your demands feel free to comment. I could have gone “classic” and explain how a typical slalom ski takes you to the new turn, how it feels (many writers say “the ski accelerates”) at the end of the turn, etc but I decided not to repeat what’s been written a thousand times. Because this is what you read about any slalom ski. And there is the chance there is a bias on the explanation since a) many ski tests include testing bindings (that is to say rental) and b) the skier’s weight has great influence on the test. You can read about some of this topics in the “Buying Skis Guide” here.
I would like to tackle two other topics you’ve brought up. In the future you will find skis comparisons, but at this moment this is not done yet because of a very simple issue: every review must be a standalone article which is able to define the product. Comparisons are always interesting but they can contain some flaws and biases. If there is a review about product A and you are referencing to product B or C, the writer is defining A standing on B and C properties. So then you may go and read B and C articles since A points them. In the end, the result is a mixture which can make even more difficult knowing A, B and C properties separately and can be a bit confusing for many readers. And for sure when one is comparing models, the bias comes very quickly. A light skier will always prefer a more “soft” ski in terms of terrain adaptation and with less pop and a heavy skier will scale things very differently. And even if you cross their ideas you will end up finding out one particular model is “the best” since both like it. The question then is: is this really the best for them? It isn’t. It is very plausible their top choice on each case will be quite surely a different model so “the best” model thing falls apart quite easily.
Last but not least, this is not an article containing any marketing from Blizzard. As I said above, I invite you to read the article again which is a simple description about the ski construction, specs and clues about its shape, materials, etc.
Best regards
Blizzard RCS Slalom. At first, this felt and skied light and whimpy where normally a World Cup SL locks you into an arc and you fear for your ACL’s. Then I relaxed on it and it went from turn to turn more smoothly. I added a bit more speed and it got better and on the last pitches I carved big GS arcs without a problem… At the tent I was asked what I thought and said it was kind of schizophrenic and that I needed more time to figure it out… it was not obvious. This seemed to be the agreement among the Blizzard guys, too. ‘See’: he said to his buddy.
Then,in the spring I tried it again…
Blizzard SRC Slalom. This is a civilian SL ski. It is excellent. I could do worry free slalom radius and then let it run in long GS sized arcs that were approaching GS speeds. It did not have that impending high-side launch that full Sl skis can whack you with. I think the base-tune on this was very flat and this ski still skied a nice mix of soft off-piste moguls and icy groomers and then some sun warmed softer stuff. Great fun; yet produced real skiing. See my previous review of this ski: I was of mixed opinion – now I am sure this is a good ski.
ps: I don’t hear you…