Firebird wrc review

Overview

The Firebird WRC is the long-turn model of Blizzard's established Firebird race-carve trio (WRC, HRC, SRC), and for 26/27 it comes as a system ski with the FDT Race Plate Pro B and the Marker Comp13 Demo binding. The shape is a GS-style 115.5-68 mm with a tail that grows from 97.5 mm at 170 cm to 98.5 mm at 180 and 185 cm, and the radius runs from 16.5 m (170) through 17.5 m (175) and 18.5 m (180) to 19.5 m (185). In Blizzard's words, "for skiers with a preference for large radii and fast turns, the WRC is the ski of choice in the Firebird range". With the new Race Type LT and MT now sitting above it, the WRC is the GS carver for people who want a complete, ready-to-ski package rather than a bare race ski.

On-snow performance

Everything on the spec sheet points to long, fast arcs on firm pistes. Full camber, the "3Ti Racing" construction with three stiffness zones matched to the Trueblend Race core, and a triple titanal sandwich compound sidewall construction describe a ski built for edge grip and stability rather than quick feet. The FDT Race Plate Pro B is Blizzard's take on World Cup piston-plate kinematics without the hydraulic piston: defined points can slide so the plate lets the ski flex naturally, while adding the stand height and leverage a GS shape wants. The construction suggests the WRC should feel calmer than its weight implies — 1,700 g per ski at 170 cm is modest for a race carver with a plate — but a 16.5–19.5 m radius still asks for speed and room. In short turns it will feel long; in soft snow and bumps it is simply out of its element.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Trueblend Race Woodcore — several wood species of different density; firmer in the centre, medium around the binding, softer at tip and tail.
• Metal: "3Ti Racing" construction — three stiffness zones matched to the Trueblend Race flex zones, in a triple titanal sandwich compound sidewall construction.
• Sidewall: Full ABS.
• Factory edge tune: 0.9° base, 87.5° side.
• Profile: Full Camber.
• Plate and binding: FDT Race Plate Pro B (metal bridge, Marker FDT demo-binding options) with the Comp13 Demo binding, DIN 5–13.
• Dimensions and radius: 115.5-68-97.5 mm, 16.5 m (170); 115.5-68-98 mm, 17.5 m (175); 115.5-68-98.5 mm, 18.5 m (180) and 19.5 m (185).
• Weight: 1,700 g (170), 1,800 g (175), 1,870 g (180) and 1,940 g (185) per ski, from Blizzard's per-pair figures.
• Made in Austria.

Who it's for & comparisons

The WRC suits strong advanced and expert piste skiers who want GS-style turns with a binding included and an adjustable demo plate. In the Firebird line the HRC is the versatile all-radius sibling (69 mm, 13–16.5 m) and the SRC the short-turn one (68 mm, 11–13.5 m); the new Blizzard Firebird race type lt is the harder-core GS option with phenol sidewalls and no binding. Elsewhere, the Salomon Equipe gs 12 (68 mm, 16–18 m, P749 plate and I12 binding) is the most direct 26/27 rival, the Head worldcup rebels e gsr (68 mm) is Head's system GS carver, and the Atomic Redster g9 (67 mm, 15–18 m) and Stockli Laser gs (68 mm, 15–18 m) are the classic GS-carver cross-shops.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Four lengths up to 185 cm, unusual in a commercial GS carver.
• 3Ti Racing construction and Trueblend Race core for stability and grip.
• FDT Race Plate Pro B with Comp13 Demo: adjustable and ready to ski.
• Comparatively moderate weight for a plated race carver.

Cons

• System binding: the Comp13 Demo (DIN 5–13) is the only option.
• 16.5–19.5 m radius is slow to come round in short turns.
• A hard-snow specialist with no soft-snow or bump ability.
• Premium €1,100 price for a ski you will only use on groomers.

Verdict: The WRC is Blizzard's GS carver for skiers who want the complete package: long-radius shape, 3Ti construction and a demo race plate in one box. Prefer medium turns? The HRC. Want a bare race ski with phenol sidewalls? The new Race Type LT.