Blizzard’s Rustler series has been the epitome of the freeride comp-style charger for the last few seasons. Updated for 2024, the new Rustler 11 takes that same performance and brings it into a slightly more accessible package.Blizzard’s updated Rustler 11 still features the same general freeride-friendly shape and profile as the older version, with generous tip and tail rocker and a good amount of taper both front and back. It’s become a fantastic option for advanced skiers that will make you want to channel your inner competitor but won't ruin your day if you want to take it easy. It still welcomes high speeds in unpredictable snow, provides a solid platform for stomping big airs, but can pivot and slash its way through the soft stuff better now.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
What was most impressive about the Blizzard Rustler 11 was that it offers an impressively consistent-feeling platform for skiing fast through all manner of terrain and snow conditions. It’s burly, but not so burly that only CrossFit champions can handle it, a noted improvement over older versions of the ski that had us wishing we had done a few more early-season squats when skiing it anywhere other than pow. It handles groomers well, even if it's not super exciting. It holds a solid edge on groomed snow and the powerful platform has no real speed limit.
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
At 114 underfoot, there’s plenty of float, and paired with the aggressive tip and tail rocker lines, the Rustler 11 is a blast to ride through deep snow no matter the slope angle. In big-mountain terrain, it’s a point-and-shoot kind of weapon that encourages letting off the brakes and just going for it in technical and tight lines, instead of trying to maneuver it through or around obstacles deftly. Of course, these are a crud monster and will handle any kind of mixed or crappy snow you throw at them.
Park & Jibbing:
For a ski with this much tip and tail rocker, Blizzard recommends a pretty traditional mount point at -7.5 cm from true center, which testers noted felt quite far back on the ski. While the tails are quite stiff, the pronounced tail rocker profile and rearward mount point aren’t a great combo, so consider moving the mount point up a few centimeters. Bringing the mount point forward helped remedy this to a degree but it wasn't the most natural ski for spinning and stomping. We would probably recommend bumping the mount point further than we could on the demo bindings for a more freestyle approach. Overall, these are skis that are fine for occasional jibbing but for more than that, we'd look elsewhere.
Who's it for?
Blizzard’s Rustler 11 is your ultimate companion for lift-access backcountry and inbounds big-mountain skiing. If you’re the type of skier chasing Hollywood lines under the chair, big cliffs, and high speeds in steep, dicey terrain, the Rustler 11 will not disappoint. We’d recommend these for riders in a place like Jackson Hole, Sunshine Village, Kicking Horse, Alta, or Palisades.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
What was most impressive about the Blizzard Rustler 11 was that it offers an impressively consistent-feeling platform for skiing fast through all manner of terrain and snow conditions. It’s burly, but not so burly that only CrossFit champions can handle it, a noted improvement over older versions of the ski that had us wishing we had done a few more early-season squats when skiing it anywhere other than pow. It handles groomers well, even if it's not super exciting. It holds a solid edge on groomed snow and the powerful platform has no real speed limit.
Skier: Lucas Boudreau. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
The Rustler 11s are also quite boring at slow speeds–no surprise given their intentions. It’s certainly possible to chill and cruise around on these, but they are happiest when charging and only come to life at higher speeds in terrain that has enough room to maneuver. These wouldn’t be our first choice if the day’s menu only contained mellow groomer laps.Powder & Mixed Conditions:
At 114 underfoot, there’s plenty of float, and paired with the aggressive tip and tail rocker lines, the Rustler 11 is a blast to ride through deep snow no matter the slope angle. In big-mountain terrain, it’s a point-and-shoot kind of weapon that encourages letting off the brakes and just going for it in technical and tight lines, instead of trying to maneuver it through or around obstacles deftly. Of course, these are a crud monster and will handle any kind of mixed or crappy snow you throw at them.
Skier: Lucas Boudreau. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
"I found the Rustler to be my favourite ski I tried for charging down the slopes. The ski has enough pop and flex to be a fun ride. But it’s super stable. I felt like I could ski through any conditions on the ski. I’m used to skiing more park oriented skis. And I found the transition to this ski to be very easy. The rustler is just a great ski for going really fast and tearing up the slopes like never before." - Aaron MannPark & Jibbing:
For a ski with this much tip and tail rocker, Blizzard recommends a pretty traditional mount point at -7.5 cm from true center, which testers noted felt quite far back on the ski. While the tails are quite stiff, the pronounced tail rocker profile and rearward mount point aren’t a great combo, so consider moving the mount point up a few centimeters. Bringing the mount point forward helped remedy this to a degree but it wasn't the most natural ski for spinning and stomping. We would probably recommend bumping the mount point further than we could on the demo bindings for a more freestyle approach. Overall, these are skis that are fine for occasional jibbing but for more than that, we'd look elsewhere.
Skier: Lucas Boudreau. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Who's it for?
Blizzard’s Rustler 11 is your ultimate companion for lift-access backcountry and inbounds big-mountain skiing. If you’re the type of skier chasing Hollywood lines under the chair, big cliffs, and high speeds in steep, dicey terrain, the Rustler 11 will not disappoint. We’d recommend these for riders in a place like Jackson Hole, Sunshine Village, Kicking Horse, Alta, or Palisades.
