Freeride backcountry skis
Product 2026
Woman, Man
We tested the Blizzard Zero G 96 in the 178 cm length, with a 20-meter turning radius. This is a light ski, perfectly suited for freerando—free-touring or ski mountaineering—and comfortable in all types of snow. It handles higher speeds confidently and also has real potential for steep alpine terrain.
On hard snow, in this tested size, the Zero G 96 behaves very pleasantly. Turns come easily, balance is immediate, and there’s no awkward flex imbalance between tip and tail. The tail feels slightly more present, but that character actually contributes to the ski’s solid grip through the turns.
Turns are easy to complete, whether carving on edge or smearing through mixed turns. Skidding feels intuitive. By pressing slightly on the front of the ski, you can easily tighten the turn radius; shift your stance a little back, and the Zero G 96 opens the turn naturally. It also performs very well from edge to edge in short turns—the 20 m radius is easily adjustable, making it fun and versatile to ski.
The ski features a moderate rocker both at the tip and tail. The tip design is very classic, while the tail rise is subtle and progressive, aiding pivoting without overdoing it. The Zero G 96 rewards a skier who stays forward and has solid technical skills.
The tip bites well at the start of the turn. However, backseat skiing can slightly affect stability—particularly for powerful skiers. The ski has a fairly pronounced pintail shape, meaning a notable width difference between tip and tail. Despite the modest rocker, the Zero G 96 floats well in deeper snow.
Comfort isn’t its main strength in choppy or uneven snow—the tip can chatter a bit—but this is not a dealbreaker. It’s best not to ski it too short, as that could compromise edge grip and turn fluidity.
In steep terrain, the Zero G 96 really stands out. You’re always well-balanced when landing jump turns, and the edge hold is excellent—nothing to criticize here.
Its low weight, combined with lightweight touring bindings, makes for a fantastic uphill setup. However, bigger or more powerful skiers should avoid sizing down too much.
All in all, the Blizzard Zero G 96 perfectly fits its intended program: light freeride touring with a versatile waist width. It’s aimed at technically skilled skiers who can handle—and appreciate—the precision and efficiency of a slightly longer, high-performance touring ski.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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