Given the overwhelming feedback, I'm seriously considering these skis for a lighter setup this year.
I have a kingping + mid-fat 102cm skis but they tend to be a little on the heavy side for long days.
Now I'm just wondering which length. I'm 172cm and my current setup is 178cm.
I've always enjoyed longer skis, especially when I try to get a bit more aggressive. However for a more "couloir" setup I'm wondering if taking the g 85 with a length of 171cm would make more sense? Would do you guys reckon?
Thanks in advance :)
/Nick
Seemingly out of left field comes some impressive new lightweight skis. That is, if left field were defined as the Blizzard factory in Austria and you gloss over the fact that Blizzard manufactured many skis stamped with other, well-known, backcountry brand names. Now showing off their clandestine experience, Blizzard added a three-dimensional layer of carbon fiber across the enter length and width. This Carbon Drive makes the ski stiff in all directions while offering a relatively damp ride with smooth flex. They also built in sidewalls to help the edges penetrate crusts and ice, while offering more protection from rocks. A rocker + camber profile is just what the doctor ordered for the variable conditions you find while climbing mountains. The Zero G 85 is just what we ordered for classic mountaineering.
- Full-length sidewalls are rare for a ski this light, offering dampness, edge hold, and durability.
- Carbon Drive technology is a unidirectional weave in a three-dimensional pattern that just works.
- Metal edges also run the full length of the ski so you aren’t compromising an inch on the steeps.
- Paulownia wood core with the carbon frame offers a reasonably stiff ride with some rebound.
Update 2016/17: Just a new topsheet.
Update 2018/19: Blizzard again updated the graphics while keeping the same construction. They now offer the ski in White or Yellow.
Update 2019/20: The good folks at Blizzard made some significant changes to this ski for the 19/20 season, so we pushed it over to a new listing, which can be found here.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 157, 164, 171, 178, 185 |
|
Weight |
1070g [164] 1120g [171] 1215g [178] |
| Weight (pair) | 2140g [164] 2240g [171] 2430g [178] |
|
|
116-85-99.5 |
|
Turn |
18m [164] 19m [171] 20m [178] |
|
Skin |
Roundish tips, flat tail notch |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Mild rocker with camber underfoot |
|
|
Medium radius with easy arcing tip & tail |
|
|
Sidewall sandwich w/ Carbon Drive |
|
|
Paulownia |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Mountaineering, classic touring |
| Notes | Rare sidewall on lightweight skis |
| Bottom Line | Confident steep skier |
| Compare to other Low-fat Skis | |
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Questions & Reviews
10/23/2016
10/23/2016
Hi Nick, the 171 would complement your existing skis better. As your only ski I might recommend the 178 but the shorter length is quicker in couloirs and will be enough ski for lots of conditions.
Answer this question:
8/9/2016
Dan 
(used product regularly)
These skis are a fantastic ski mountaineering tool. They are light, stiff and have outstanding edge grip. The only caveat I have about these skis is that you really do have to ski well on them - they are unforgiving of backseat skiing and reward very good skiers (which I am aspiring to be as a result of these skis!)
So far there's no dramas with durability, and they have performed excellently in firm snow conditions. If you want a lightweight ski for spring / firm snow focused descents, look no further.
I'm 178cm, about 85kg with gear and ski the 171.
So far there's no dramas with durability, and they have performed excellently in firm snow conditions. If you want a lightweight ski for spring / firm snow focused descents, look no further.
I'm 178cm, about 85kg with gear and ski the 171.
Comment on this review:
Blizzard has tapped into some kind of magic in the ZeroG line. The weight on these is stellar and they rail in any snow which is even remotely soft. In the hard stuff, they can be a little prone to chatter, but they do shut up quickly with some strong input to the front of the ski. The tapered tips make for a surfy and predictable ride in soft snow, but the tradeoff is the loss of a little precision when making very tight jump turns. Maybe that's just a function of my technique, though. It also gives up a little effective edge.
As with every ski in the ZeroG line, the lateral stiffness is unreal, lending a precise and responsive feel to the ski.
I concur with the other reviewer who laments the lack of a tip notch. Had Blizzard included one they would have created an excellent speed touring/casual race ski. Aside from that my main gripe with this ski is that for only 100g more, you can have the ZeroG 95, which given my experience with both strikes me as the way to go. A tip notch would really have differentiated this ski a lot more from its slightly bigger brother.
As with every ski in the ZeroG line, the lateral stiffness is unreal, lending a precise and responsive feel to the ski.
I concur with the other reviewer who laments the lack of a tip notch. Had Blizzard included one they would have created an excellent speed touring/casual race ski. Aside from that my main gripe with this ski is that for only 100g more, you can have the ZeroG 95, which given my experience with both strikes me as the way to go. A tip notch would really have differentiated this ski a lot more from its slightly bigger brother.
Comment on this review:
4/15/2016
Sam
(used product a few times)
These skis are the real deal. I had been in the market for something along the lines of the Dynafit Cho Oyu when I came across these skis on Skimo. I have around 10,000 ft of climbing and skiing a variety of conditions, and have some initial impressions. First, they are light. They are just under 5 lbs for the pair in the 170. Obviously not race light, but certainly light enough to bring up pretty much any mountaineering objective. The kicker is how they ski. These skis rail. In firm snow off the summit of Mt. Hood last weekend, they held an edge on 45 degree refrozen corn. By far the most secure I have felt coming off the summit in those conditions. The snow quickly transitioned to corn snow, which is where these skis really shine. The slight early rise in the tip and tail give the skis a loose feeling, meaning they turn when and where you want. Even in the glop near the bottom of the mountain, they turned nicely and didn't get hung up. For a speed touring and mountaineering ski, was impressed.
I only wish these had a tip notch for speed skin setup. With the carbon layup, I'm afraid to dremel my own. That would also void the warranty, I think.
I ski these with Dynafit speed superlites and TLT 6ps. 5'9, 180lbs.
I will add that Skimo.co is by far the best online retailer I have purchased from. So many helpful answers on this site. Shipping is very prompt. And obviously the curated selection is unlike almost any other retailer in the US.
I only wish these had a tip notch for speed skin setup. With the carbon layup, I'm afraid to dremel my own. That would also void the warranty, I think.
I ski these with Dynafit speed superlites and TLT 6ps. 5'9, 180lbs.
I will add that Skimo.co is by far the best online retailer I have purchased from. So many helpful answers on this site. Shipping is very prompt. And obviously the curated selection is unlike almost any other retailer in the US.
1/20/2017
So this is a follow-up review with another couple dozen K of vert on my 0G 85s. the more I ski them, the more I like them. Durability wise, the are holding up well despite using them during the Oregon summer on volcanoes (volcanic rocks are hard on skis). No core shots despite some pretty hard impacts with with rocks. There is some chipping around the tips in the skin attachment area, but its pretty minimal.
In terms of ski performance...wow. I have now skied these in corn, refrozen corn, ice, cream cheese, mashed potatoes, and straight up pow. Despite their (lack of) weight, these guys have no problem holding a line in heavy and wet conditions. They are a blast in corn snow. What surprised me most was their pow performance. These skis have so much energy! They simply bounce from turn to turn in the pow. They are somewhat forgiving if you get caught in the backseat, or need to slide out a turn, but they perform best when you're driving your tips and using good technique. Be sure to detune the tails a little if you tend to slide your tails.
Frankly, I could see the 0G 95 being a quiver of one. The 85 is a little lighter, but doesn't quite have the float on the deep days. The 85s are an excellent complement to a powder touring, or an awesome ski on their own if you don't frequently ski deep snow. I'll post again about durability. But in terms of ski performance, I could not be happier.
In terms of ski performance...wow. I have now skied these in corn, refrozen corn, ice, cream cheese, mashed potatoes, and straight up pow. Despite their (lack of) weight, these guys have no problem holding a line in heavy and wet conditions. They are a blast in corn snow. What surprised me most was their pow performance. These skis have so much energy! They simply bounce from turn to turn in the pow. They are somewhat forgiving if you get caught in the backseat, or need to slide out a turn, but they perform best when you're driving your tips and using good technique. Be sure to detune the tails a little if you tend to slide your tails.
Frankly, I could see the 0G 95 being a quiver of one. The 85 is a little lighter, but doesn't quite have the float on the deep days. The 85s are an excellent complement to a powder touring, or an awesome ski on their own if you don't frequently ski deep snow. I'll post again about durability. But in terms of ski performance, I could not be happier.
Comment on this review:
1/18/2016
A friend of my brother in laws recommended I purchase my gear through you. He fed my excitement to get going since Ive been a nordic/alpine guy for 35 years. Its time to start going UP the hills.
Whats the best skin to match these Blizzards? And would you recommend a better "all terrain ski" for the price for an east coaster (vermont) who goes back-woods and ski hills primarily? He recommended 170cm length to 178cm with ~85midfoot and ~ 1200 grams weight.
Lastly...I am a 30 in a boot size with a fairly wide forefoot (need wider toebox). he recommended the Dynafit Seven Summits... do you concur?
And lastly, can you recommend a shop in southern vermont for mounting? Im afraid to go just anywhere. Do you have any connections in the Stratton/Winhall area?
Thanks!!
Whats the best skin to match these Blizzards? And would you recommend a better "all terrain ski" for the price for an east coaster (vermont) who goes back-woods and ski hills primarily? He recommended 170cm length to 178cm with ~85midfoot and ~ 1200 grams weight.
Lastly...I am a 30 in a boot size with a fairly wide forefoot (need wider toebox). he recommended the Dynafit Seven Summits... do you concur?
And lastly, can you recommend a shop in southern vermont for mounting? Im afraid to go just anywhere. Do you have any connections in the Stratton/Winhall area?
Thanks!!
1/18/2016
Hi SSB, the matching skins are the easiest. The Pomoca climb pro glides also work, which are made by the same company. I wouldn't question his recommendation on skis, these will handle well in those conditions.
I'm confused about the boots since you listed a ski, but check out our boot fitter. Unfortunately we don't have any recommended mounters in that area, but we can handle those.
I'm confused about the boots since you listed a ski, but check out our boot fitter. Unfortunately we don't have any recommended mounters in that area, but we can handle those.
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