Firebird sl racing review

Overview

The Firebird SL Racing is Blizzard's junior-oriented slalom race ski for 26/27 — the product text names it the Firebird SL JR-Racing — and it comes in a single length of 151 cm. The sidecut is 112.5-66.5-100.5 mm, the radius is listed as "over 13 m", and the ski weighs 3,000 g per pair, about 1,500 g per ski including the pre-mounted World Cup PC Interface 10 mm plate. Construction is Blizzard's Racing Construction with a Racing Full Woodcore and full sidewalls, one step below the FIS Racing Construction of the Firebird SL FIS, which runs 151, 156 and 165 cm. Blizzard recommends a Comp20, Comp16 RD or Comp12 binding, and the German RRP is €800.

On-snow performance

Everything about the geometry says short, fast, cambered slalom arcs. At 151 cm with a 66.5 mm waist and a radius of just over 13 m, the ski is built to be tipped and released quickly between gates; full camber keeps the whole edge working on hard, injected snow, and the 10 mm interface gives a young racer leverage for high edge angles. The lighter Racing Construction is the point here: on paper, a 1,500 g ski with plate is something a smaller athlete can bend and flex properly, where a full FIS slalom ski would simply ride them. The factory tune of 0.6° base and 86° side is a true race edge, so expect the grip to be immediate and the ski to punish a backseat stance. Blizzard's target groups are "advanced" and "expert" skiers who already link strong parallel turns. It is not a ski for powder, bumps or casual free-skiing.

Construction & specs explained

• Construction: Racing Construction, below the FIS Racing Construction (the laminate is not itemised on the product page).
• Core: Racing Full Woodcore.
• Sidewall: full sidewall.
• Profile: Full Camber, no tip or tail rocker.
• Plate: World Cup PC Interface 10 mm, pre-mounted; recommended binding Comp20 / Comp16 RD / Comp12.
• Factory tune: 0.6° base, 86° side.
• Dimensions: 112.5-66.5-100.5 mm at 151 cm.
• Radius: over 13 m at 151 cm.
• Weight: 3,000 g per pair, about 1,500 g per ski with plate.
• Length: 151 cm only. Price: €800 on blizzard-tecnica.com Germany, binding not included.

Who it's for & comparisons

With one length of 151 cm — below the senior FIS slalom minimums of 165 cm for men and 155 cm for women — this is a ski for youth racers and smaller athletes in slalom programmes, plus the occasional small adult who wants a genuine race slalom with a plate. Athletes who need 156 or 165 cm move to the Blizzard Firebird sl fis with its FIS Racing Construction. Elsewhere, the Nordica Dobermann sl wc plate is the closest competitor, offered in 151, 156 and 165 cm on a 65 mm waist; the Head Worldcup rebels e sl starts at 150 cm and is a damper, heavier 68 mm slalom; and the Fischer Rc4 noize sl jr. covers the junior sizes from 120 to 150 cm for the age groups below.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Real slalom race geometry: 112.5-66.5-100.5 mm, over 13 m radius, full camber.
• Light at about 1,500 g per ski with plate, so smaller racers can bend it.
• World Cup PC Interface 10 mm plate pre-mounted.
• Clear step-up path to the Firebird SL FIS within the same family.

Cons

• A single length of 151 cm limits it to youth racers and small adults.
• Race binding (Comp20 / Comp16 RD / Comp12) sold separately.
• Grippy 0.6°/86° race tune and full camber are unforgiving at low speed.
• Of little use outside the groomer or the course.

Verdict: A purpose-built 151 cm slalom race ski for youth racers who have outgrown junior models but are not yet ready for a full FIS slalom. If you need 156 or 165 cm, the Firebird SL FIS is the ski.