2013 Blizzard Kabookie Review

For 2013 Blizzard has introduced a new ski called the Kabookie to there very successful series of "Freemountain" skis that include the Bushwacker, the Bonafide, the Cochise and the Bodacious. The Kabookie is the exact same ski as the Bonafide without the 2.5 layers of metal. I think this is a good move because I've felt for the past 2 seasons that the Bonafide was a little overdone with the half layer of metal, and apparently so did Blizzard. Versatility wise, the elimination of this half layer of metal would make for a much better ski and mirror the storyline of the 2013 Kendo and Mantra with it's little brother, the Bushwacker. I can only hope that over the next couple of seasons the Bonafide will go through some evolutionary changes, but for now, the introduction of the Kabookie is an excellent compromise.

In a 180 cm length the Kabookie has a 21 m radius, a 135 mm shovel, a 98 mm waist, and a 118 mm tail. It features a wood core, a full vertical sidewall and flip core technology. Flip core, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is the process of building a ski upside down to produce a rockered ski. In building them this way the skis core remains lively and uncompromised as opposed to most rockered skis that are built in camber molds and heat pressed.

Out of the the 35 pairs of skis that I skied at the On-Snow Demo at Stratton, the Kabookie was in the top five. We were actually offered a Cochise to take out west with us in April but I opted for the Kabookie instead. It is lightweight, energetic, surefooted and tremendously versatile. Unfortunately what the Kabookie doesn't have...is a name for itself. Our Blizzard rep said that because of the popularity of the Cochise and the Bonafide there won't be many pairs brought into the eastern territories so it may be tough finding a pair. Although the Kabookie is heavily underestimated, I think it is better ski than some of the others in Blizzard's lineup. Bottom line is that the Kabookie is perfect for someone who would like the option of skiing both coasts because it is soft enough and wide enough to perform in deeper/softer conditions yet beefy enough to hold on the firmest of days that we typically get here in the east coast. Watch out for this one, it will make a name for itself soon enough.

Thanks for Reading,

Ryan

Ski Haus, Inc.
1611 Route 22
Brewster, NY 10509
Ph. 845-279-3100
Info@skihausonline.com