Review: Blizzard Rustler 11

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I saw a bumper sticker in a ski town once that read “thick thighs save lives,” and Blizzard’s Rustler series has been the epitome of that statement for the last few seasons. Updated for 2024, the new Rustler 11 takes that same performance and brings it into a slightly more accessible package. It’s become a fantastic option for advanced skiers that will make you want to channel your inner FWT champion–it welcomes high speeds in unpredictable snow, provides a solid platform for stomping big airs, and can pivot and slash its way through the soft stuff.

In a nutshell:

• Lengths Skied: 186, 192 cm
• Stated Weight: 2065 g
• Stated Dimensions: 142 / 114 / 132 mm
• Stated Sidecut: 20.5 m

Shape, Length and Mount Point:

Blizzard’s updated Rustler 11 still features the same general freeride-friendly shape and profile as the older version, with generous tip and tail rocker and a good amount of taper both front and back. There’s some camber underfoot for added edge grip and a little pop. Consequently, these do ski quite short, so if you’re in between sizes, consider going up. Testers felt the 192cm version was one of the shortest-feeling >190cm skis they’ve ever been on. The ski is available in 168, 174, 180, 186, and 192 cm options, which should cover all the bases.

For a ski with this much tip and tail rocker, Blizzard recommends a pretty traditional mount point at -7.5 cm from true center, which testers noted felt quite far back on the ski.

Where does the Blizzard Rustler 11 shine?

What was most surprising about testing the Blizzard Rustler 11 was that it doesn’t really have an area of the mountain it excels in. Instead, it offers an impressively consistent-feeling platform for skiing fast through all manner of terrain and snow conditions. It’s burly, but not so burly that only CrossFit enthusiasts can handle it, a noted improvement over older versions of the ski that had us wishing we had done a few more early-season squats.

In big-mountain terrain, it’s definitely a point-and-shoot kind of weapon that encourages letting off the brakes and just going for it in technical and tight lines, instead of trying to deftly maneuver it though or around obstacles. Find a chute with a mando exit air? Please, sir, go ahead and drop right in, it beckons.

At 114 underfoot, there’s plenty of float, and paired with the aggressive tip and tail rocker lines, the Rustler 11 is a blast to ride through deep snow no matter the slope angle.

One tester sums it up: “It plows but floats, it’s really stable, and can be smeared and pivoted through tight spots. Despite the weight and relatively stiff flex it's very easy to ski at a variety of speeds. I'd recommend this to intermediate and advanced skiers used to a traditional ski that are looking for a daily driver at a resort that sees a lot of fresh snow.”

Where does the Blizzard Rustler 11 make some compromises?

Testers were hard-pressed to find much they didn’t like about the Rustler 11, but many found that there wasn’t quite enough tail on the ski. Bringing the mount point forward helped remedy this to a degree, but we frequently found ourselves unable to stay centered on the ski when landing airs. While the tails are quite stiff, the pronounced tail rocker profile and rearward mount point aren’t a great combo, so consider moving the mount point up a few centimeters.

The Rustler 11s are also quite boring at slow speeds–no surprise given their aggressive intentions. It’s certainly possible to chill and cruise around on these, but they are happiest when charging and only come to life at higher speeds in terrain that has enough room to maneuver. These wouldn’t be our first choice if the day’s menu only contained mellow groomer laps.

What would a perfect day on the Blizzard Rustler 11 look like?

Blizzard’s Rustler 11 is your ultimate companion for lift-access backcountry and inbounds big-mountain skiing. If you’re the type of skier chasing Hollywood lines under the chair, big cliffs and high speeds in steep, dicey terrain, the Rustler 11 will not disappoint. We’d recommend these for riders in a place like Jackson Hole, Sunshine Village, Kicking Horse, Alta, or Palisades.