96 mm All-Mountain Freeride Ski
Blizzard Rustler 9 Alpine Ski
The Blizzard Rustler 9 Alpine Ski is built for resort skiers who want one ski for every condition the mountain hands them. A 132-96-121 mm shape at 180 cm puts the waist in the middle of all-mountain territory, and three shaped titanal pieces in the FluxForm layup keep the ski damp underfoot while leaving the tip and tail torsionally soft enough to stay playful. At 1,880 grams per ski in a 180, with a 17 m radius and a rocker-camber-rocker profile, the Blizzard Rustler 9 handles groomer arcs, bumps, trees and chopped powder in the same lap.
Expert Ski Review Ratings and length guidance reviewed by CCBB ski staff.
Is This the Right Ski for You?
Best For
Advanced to expert resort skiers who want a genuine daily driver in the mid-90s, ski the whole mountain rather than one zone, and want titanal damping underfoot without a ski that punishes them at low speed.
Consider Another Ski If
You want a dedicated powder ski wider than 100 mm underfoot, you need a lightweight touring ski for earning turns, or you ski groomers exclusively and would prefer a narrower carving ski.
CCBB Ski Ratings
Float
96 mm waist, rockered tip
Stability at Speed
Titanal FluxForm layup
Playfulness
Rocker-camber-rocker
Edge Hold
Full ABS sidewall
Rating scale: 5 = top of its class, 4 = excellent, 3 = good, 2 = specialized or below average, and 1 = limited.
Specs at a Glance
Waist Width96 mm
Dimensions132-96-121 mm (180 cm)
Turning Radius17 m (180 cm)
Weight1,880 g per ski (180 cm)
Lengths162, 168, 174, 180, 186 cm
ProfileRocker-camber-rocker
CoreTrueBlend Free woodcore
ConstructionFluxForm Freeride Ti layup
Why We Like It
- The TrueBlend Free woodcore blends beech, poplar and paulownia so the flex stiffens toward the middle, which is what gives the Rustler 9 edge hold underfoot and a forgiving tip.
- Three shaped titanal pieces damp the ski underfoot while leaving the tip and tail torsionally softer, so the Rustler 9 stays composed at speed without feeling dead in bumps.
- A 17 m radius at 180 cm sits in the middle of the all-mountain range, short enough to arc a groomer and long enough to hold a line through crud.
- Rocker at both tip and tail releases the turn early, which makes the 96 mm waist easier to pivot in trees than the number suggests.
- The full ABS sidewall drives energy into the edge and takes the abuse of rock and lift-line contact.
- At 1,880 grams per ski in a 180 the Rustler 9 carries enough mass to stay settled in chopped snow.
Best Uses
- Everyday resort skiing across all conditions
- Chopped and wind-affected snow after a storm
- Trees, bumps and tight terrain
- Groomer laps between off-piste runs
- One-ski quivers for advanced resort skiers
Ski Specialist's Advice
Length on the Blizzard Rustler 9 follows the radius. The turn radius runs 14 m at 162 cm, 15 m at 168, 16 m at 174, 17 m at 180 and 18 m at 186, so sizing up lengthens the arc and adds stability while sizing down keeps the ski quick in tight terrain. Most skiers land on the 174 or 180.
Blizzard suggests a 100 mm brake width for the Rustler 9, which clears the 96 mm waist with margin. The ski takes a standard alpine mount at the factory line, and the flat version accepts any alpine or GripWalk-compatible binding matched to your boot sole. Confirm the sole norm on your boot before mounting.
Length and mount guidance reviewed by CCBB ski staff. Confirm length against your height, weight and terrain.
📐 Technical Specifications Full spec table · Click to expand
Shape and Sizing
Dimensions132-96-121 mm (180 cm)
Turning Radius14 m (162 cm), 15 m (168 cm), 16 m (174 cm), 17 m (180 cm), 18 m (186 cm)
Weight1,880 g per ski (180 cm), which is 3,760 g per pair
Lengths162, 168, 174, 180, 186 cm
ProfileRockered tip, camber underfoot, rockered tail
Construction and Use
CoreTrueBlend Free woodcore, blending beech, poplar and paulownia
ConstructionFluxForm Freeride Ti layup with three shaped titanal pieces, full ABS sidewall
Recommended UseAll-mountain freeride
Suggested Brake Width100 mm
Binding PairingStandard alpine mount. Match binding to your boot sole norm.
Compare the Blizzard Rustler 9
Rustler 9 vs. Blizzard Rustler 10
The Blizzard Rustler 10 runs wider underfoot for deeper snow, while the Blizzard Rustler 9 at 96 mm is the more groomer-friendly and quicker-edging of the pair. Skiers who chase storm days choose the Rustler 10; skiers who ski every condition choose the Rustler 9.
Shop Blizzard Rustler 10 skis
Rustler 9 vs. Blizzard Sheeva 9
The Blizzard Sheeva 9 is the women's counterpart on the same 96 mm platform and TrueBlend construction, with the flex and size run tuned for lighter skiers. Choose between them on size run and flex preference rather than shape.
Shop Blizzard Sheeva 9 skis
Rustler 9 vs. Kastle MX88
The Kastle MX88 is narrower and more carving-focused, built for skiers who spend most of the day on firm groomers. The Blizzard Rustler 9 gives up some edge precision for float and playfulness off-piste. Terrain mix decides between them.
Shop Kastle MX88 skis
Common Questions
Who should buy the Blizzard Rustler 9?
The Blizzard Rustler 9 suits advanced to expert resort skiers who want one ski for the whole mountain. At 96 mm underfoot with a 132-96-121 mm shape at 180 cm and a 17 m radius, the Rustler 9 arcs groomers, pivots in trees and holds a line through chopped snow.
Is the Blizzard Rustler 9 a 96 mm or 98 mm ski?
It is 96 mm underfoot. Blizzard specs the Rustler 9 at 96 mm, and a 98 mm figure that circulates in reviews refers to an earlier version of the ski. Read the current Rustler 9 as a mid-90s all-mountain ski.
How much does the Blizzard Rustler 9 weigh?
The Blizzard Rustler 9 weighs 1,880 grams per ski at 180 cm, which is 3,760 grams per pair. That is a normal weight for a titanal-reinforced all-mountain ski, and the mass is what keeps the Rustler 9 settled in chopped snow.
What is the turning radius of the Blizzard Rustler 9?
The Blizzard Rustler 9 has a 17 m radius at 180 cm. The radius runs 14 m at 162 cm, 15 m at 168, 16 m at 174 and 18 m at 186, so length choice changes the turn shape.
What length Blizzard Rustler 9 should I ski?
Most skiers land on the 174 or 180 cm. Shorter lengths shorten the radius and stay quicker in bumps and trees, while the 186 lengthens the arc and adds stability at speed. Height, weight and terrain all factor in, so confirm length with our staff.
What bindings and brake width work with the Blizzard Rustler 9?
Blizzard suggests a 100 mm brake width for the Rustler 9, which clears the 96 mm waist. The flat ski takes a standard alpine mount and pairs with any alpine or GripWalk-compatible binding matched to your boot sole norm. Confirm your boot sole before mounting.
Can the Blizzard Rustler 9 be used for touring?
The Blizzard Rustler 9 is an alpine ski, not a touring ski. At 1,880 grams per ski it is heavier than a purpose-built touring ski, and it has no tech fittings or skin notch. Skiers wanting to earn turns should look at a touring ski instead.
How does the Blizzard Rustler 9 handle powder?
The Blizzard Rustler 9 floats well enough for a mid-90s ski thanks to the rockered tip and 132 mm shovel, but a 96 mm waist has limits in deep snow. On genuine storm days a wider ski floats better; the Rustler 9 earns its place on the days after.
Our Verdict
The Blizzard Rustler 9 Alpine Ski is one of the more complete all-mountain skis we stock. A 132-96-121 mm shape at 180 cm and a 17 m radius cover groomers and off-piste in the same run, the TrueBlend Free woodcore stiffens toward the middle for edge hold, and three shaped titanal pieces damp the ski underfoot while leaving the tip and tail playful. At 1,880 grams per ski in a 180 the Rustler 9 is a resort ski rather than a touring one, and within that brief it handles nearly everything.
