2024 Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis Review
By: evo Employees | Last Updated: June 21st, 2023
Review Summary
Avg. Tester Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (5/5)
The 2024 Blizzard Rustler 9 skis have garnered positive reviews for their nimbleness, stability, versatility, and confidence-inspiring performance. Skiers have praised their ability to handle various terrains, including groomers, trees, and moguls. The skis offer a planted feel while remaining agile between turns, thanks to the transition between the rocker on the tip and tail and the camber underfoot. Even on firm and icy snow, they maintain stability without feeling overpowering.
A reengineered TrueBlend core utilizes different wood stringers strategically, resulting in a finely tuned ride and excellent overall versatility. The Rustler 9's narrower waist width is ideal for firmer snow and incorporates more metal than softer snow models, enhancing edge hold. Overall, the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis have received praise for their on-piste performance, making them a popular choice among skiers seeking a versatile and intuitive skiing experience. Shop the Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis
Technical Details
"The award-winning Rustler is the ski of choice for those who live to charge on the steep and deep, but still crave controlled, agile turns on hardpack. Why? Because the Rustlers were designed to ski the mountain as you see it."
| Available Sizes (cm) | 164, 172, 180, 188 |
| Dimensions (Tip, Waist, Tail - mm) | 127.5 - 94 - 117 (188 cm) |
| Radius (m) | 14, 15.5, 17, 18.5 |
| Rocker/Camber Profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
| Weight | 3920g (per pair @ 180 cm) |
| Construction | Sandwich Compound Sidewall, Carbon Flipcore D.R.T. |
Expert Testers & Methodology
Why should you trust evo's Field Tested Reviews? Great question! Over this past winter, evo employees from our various locations across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Whistler were selected to provide long-term testing of next year's hottest new skis and snowboards. Employees were also invited to attend exclusive multi-day demo events where brands — like Blizzard — showcased their upcoming products for the 2023/2024 winter season. By collecting unbiased, in-depth reviews from our most experienced skiers and snowboarders, we hope to help you find the best gear to maximize your fun in the mountains!
Testing for the 2024 Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis:
We had four (4) different testers with decades of skiing experience spend extensive time testing out the revamped Rustler 9 Skis. As advanced and expert skiers with a diverse background of skiing experience across a variety of mountains, conditions and terrain, they independently compiled their thoughts and each provided us their individual reviews below.
Jacob Smith
Studio Photographer
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 180 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
An awesome do-everything ski!
"I am 6 ft and rode the 180 cm Rustler 9's and absolutely loved them. I am used to riding longer skis but when I hopped on these I was surprised by how nimble they felt while at the same time, staying true to the Blizzard way, stable at high speeds. It felt effortless to rail turns and ski through the crud and I didn't fell banged up after, I wanted to go back up for more!"
David Hewat
Digital Content Editor
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 180 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
Super fun <100mm all-mountain ski
"If it hasn't snowed in a while and I'm heading to the mountain to bop around groomers, trees, moguls - a bit of everything - this 2024 Rustler 9 is the ski I want to be on. It feels great just carving around, and the tail rocker makes it a lot more nimble than many other <100mm skis on the market. I'm 5 ft 10 in, 160 lbs, and the 180 cm length worked out great!"
Bennett Kielbon
Customer Care Lead
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 174 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
New Rustler 9 is great!
"The Rustler 9 is able to provide a surprisingly planted feel while also being very nimble between turns. The transition between the rocker on the tip and the tail of the ski and the camber underfoot. Even on firm and icy snow the ski was very confidence inspiring but without feeling overbearing. It's able to rip like some more serious skis but still has a playful side. I think a lot of people will be very happy with the new Rustler 9."
Cullen Hendrickson
Customer Care Supervisor
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 180 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
New and improved
"The 2024 Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis have been recently reengineered to build off the already strong freeride style these skis have become known for. The TrueBlend core's goal is to place the different wood stringers in the specific areas that they are needed most. This creates a finer tuned ride and great overall versatility in the ski. The 9 being smaller underfoot and meant for firmer snow will have more metal then softer snow models (Rustler 10 and Rustler 11). You will also notice that the metal on these skis now runs along the edges from tip to tail which still keeps them playful while increasing the edge hold of these skis."
Pros
Nimble and Agile: The skis are praised for their nimbleness and agility, allowing for effortless turns and maneuverability in various terrains.
Stability at High Speeds: Despite their nimble nature, the Rustler 9 skis maintain stability at high speeds, providing confidence to skiers who enjoy faster runs.
All-Mountain Versatility: The skis perform well across different snow conditions, including groomers, trees, moguls, and firm/icy snow. They offer a versatile experience for skiers who want to explore the entire mountain.
Cons
Not Great in Powder: Some reviewers mention that the Rustler 9 skis are designed for firmer snow conditions. While they perform well on other terrains, they may not provide the same level of performance in deep powder or very soft snow.
Limited Length Options: The available length options for the Rustler 9 skis might not cater to skiers who prefer longer or shorter skis, limiting the customization based on individual preferences.
Not Freestyle Oriented: Although some reviewers described these skis as "playful," please note that they do not offer the same level of playfulness or trick-oriented performance as dedicated freestyle skis.
Who Is It For?
The Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis are an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced skiers, and freeride enthusiasts who want the versatility to take on the entire mountain. They provide stability and responsiveness for carving on groomers while maintaining a lively and responsive nature. With their nimbleness and ability to handle various snow conditions, these skis offer a dynamic and intuitive skiing experience for those seeking versatility and the thrill of off-piste exploration.
Shop the Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis