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Thursday, February 9, 2012

2013 Blizzard Bushwacker Review - Blizzard Bushwacker vs. Volkl Kendo

The good news is that Blizzard did not change anything about the 2013 Blizzard Bushwacker other than the graphic. And why would they? I'm not a huge fan of the continued bull theme throughout their entire freeride series of skis but, to me, it really doesn't matter what a ski looks like.

The Kendo and Bushwacker are nearly identical in their constructions; they both have woodcores, feature metal, a full vertical sidewall, and have almost the exact same waist width. Of these similarities, what makes both these skis great is their waist width. I feel they have the perfect dimension for someone who primarily spends their time on the east coast and likes to mix up their turn shape. The Bushwacker remains the same for 2013 with an 88 mm waist while the Kendo goes from an 88 mm waist to an 89. In comparison, the Bushwacker is still a bit more snappy, playful, and forgiving and therefore better in softer/deeper snow than the Kendo. I skied the Bushwacker in 18 inches of snow at Deer Valley last April and it was better than most of the skis we had in our quiver that were 10-15 mm wider. With the Bushwacker, however, you give up a little stability on firm conditions but that happens with the majority of skis out there unless it's a race ski or built like one. Bottom line is that I wouldn't fault the ski too much for this minor flaw. The Kendo, to put it simply, holds just a touch better because it has a traditional camber flex pattern under the foot.

The Bushwacker features their "flipcore" technology. I prefer cambered skis to rockered skis, but Blizzard does it best because they do it differently. Blizzard "flipcore" technology has addressed the issue with how most rockered skis are made. The problem is that most companies use camber molds to make reverse camber skis. Once the skis are made they are heated and pressed to give the ski a reversed cambered profile. I think of a piece of plastic that is bent continuously when I think of a ski that is made this way. That's why most rockered skis lack energy and snap. The Bushwacker, however, is essentially a cambered ski built upside down, hence the name "flipcore". By building the ski this way, the core remains strong, uncompromised, and highly energetic.

What's funny about these two skis is that the 2012 Bushwacker was made to steal Kendo sales away by offering a similar dimension and construction at $50 less. For 2013, the Kendo features a tip rocker in hopes to steal some sales back. I'm sure there are many that are not going to like the addition of rocker to the Kendo, but I think it was a much needed change and makes the decision between these 2 skis that much more difficult. "Flip" a coin. No pun intended.

Thanks for reading,
Ryan

Ski Haus, Inc.
1611 Route 22
Brewster, NY 10509
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Info@skihausonline.com

2 comments:

  1. How about the Blizzard Bushwacker vs the Rossignol Experience 88 vs the Line Prophet 90 ?! I'm going to purchase one if these to be a one-ski-quiver, primarily New England groomer ski. The Kendo is cool but I understand it's an unforgiving aggressive expert ski....and I'm an intermediate that is looking for a forgiviing advanced through expert ski at 88ish underfoot.

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    Replies
    1. Tim,
      Didn't see this comment come through. Buswacker is the best choice. The Experience 88 is a little sleepy and the Prophet 90 may be a little damp and sure footed for you. The Bushwacker is forgiving and will allow you to make mistakes.

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