Alpine skis
Product 2023
Woman, Man
We tested the Blizzard Thunderbird R13 in size 170 cm. after having skied other Thunderbirds in the range we decided on this R13 (13.5 to be precise), thinking we’d find an easier and more fluid ski: it wasn’t.
The Blizzard Thunderbird R13, despite its slightly exaggerated turning radius on paper, it does wide turns. Why? Because you can’t push it or bend its flex. It works well on soft snow and shallow gradient slopes, but as soon as you launch onto a steeper slope on hard snow, underfoot becomes super-stiff.
The boot’s heel and the entire rear of the ski are really stiff. A 70-75-kilo skier, even if he’s muscly, has great difficulty in modifying the flex even a little. We tried everything: leaning forward, behind, putting on loads of pressure: if you are not precisely on the Blizzard Thunderbird R13’s turn radius, it stalls. So, your confidence flies out the window. There’s nothing joyous or easy about it.
The ski doesn’t vibrate so you can go very fast on very tight turns. This ski isn’t interesting at all, there’s no dynamic energy. It does have excellent glide and beautiful perceived quality. No doubt heftier skiers can exploit it but the other standard-sized skiers will be under its control.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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Excellent review. I could not agree more. Most websites review it the usual way “great ski, great cornering, carving is awesome, bla bla bla…”. That simply is not the whole truth for light riders.
Yes, the Thunderbird is exceptionally smooth at high speeds.
Yes, if you are an experienced rider, you will like its shortturning ability (depending on the chosen ski length of course).
Yes, carving is very stable and controlled.
Yes, the corner grip on slightly icy snow was better than most skis I´ve tested.
And yes, its gliding performance was letting other riders look like they had glue under their ski.
BUT.
I am 170 at (ridiculously low) 56kg. I just can’t flex the 155 Thunderbird. I tried all sorts of gradients, snow types and (of course) speed. The ski does a perfect circle but it doesn’t seem to react to the pressure I apply.
Like I said: Your review hits the nail on the head. It is a very controlable, smooth ski and feels 100% safe. But it seems like the rider needs a certain weight to flex the ski in a dynamic way. If you don’t have that weight, it is “just” a friendly allround ski without any weaknesses. Nothing wrong with it.
However: If you are a light rider who wants drive the ski to its limits, go nuts and feel it react when going all out, pick a different model.