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Featured Review bytomPietrowskionFeb 08, 2015 @ 10:12 PM
Review:
The Gunsmoke was the first ski I tried and like other skis in the Blizzard range features Flip Core. Flip core essentially builds the rocker directly into the core of the ski, meaning the ski is not manipulated post manufacturing to create the rocker profile. In other skis I have tried from blizzard it gives great float while maintaining a lively ski with plenty of energy.
One thing I did question the rep on was the mount point. There is a scale on the ski with recommended being 0cm which is 6cm behind center. Speaking to the rep he said for this style of ski, the recommended point would be best so I took his advice.
At 114mm underfoot these skis were similar dimensions to a few others I had tried that day but straight away it was noticeable how well the skis carved. The skis are on the stiffer side but certainly not the stiffest I had tried but the edge hold was consistent and gave confidence that you could throw these skis into things, knowing the edge would bite.
In the softer snow I did wonder if the stiffer feel would be an issue but the rocker did an excellent job of keeping the skis on top. The Flip Core does work very well to help the ski float but maintain power for you to drive the skis.
Through the cut up, wetter snow the skis really powered through, I was not being bounced around and when I needed to, I could edge hard.
On hits the skis had a good amount of pop and although not the lightest skis I have used they were good in terms of weight. One thing I was noticing however was I was struggling with the lack of tail. I would personally have preferred the mount further forward. I could see if you were using the ski as a full on freeride ski, that the recommended mount would be good, but if you wanted to use it in a more playful manor and you are used to a close to center mount, I would move a couple of cm forward of 0.
These skis will certainly suit a more freeride type rider then a true park rat. Although I still had fun they are not the most playful of skis, but they did go fast. I was skiing sections harder and faster on the Gunsmoke then nearly any other ski and always felt in control and if anything the skis had more to give.
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