Zero g race review

Overview

The Zero G Race is the skimo racing ski at the top of Blizzard's Zero G touring line for 26/27. It comes in one length only, 161 cm, with a 98-65-78 mm sidecut, a 24 m radius and a listed weight of 1,440 g per pair, or 720 g per ski; Blizzard's own copy rounds that to "just under 700 grams of fighting weight". The ski is built on a paulownia core in what Blizzard calls its Zero G Tour Construction, with carbon in the layup and a partial ABS sidewall, and it is made in Austria. It is a flat ski: Blizzard recommends the Crest 10 or Alpinist 10 pin bindings, and there is no plate or pre-mounted binding.

On-snow performance

Everything about the Zero G Race is designed for the way up. A 65 mm waist and 720 g per ski make for a very low swing weight on long skin tracks and in fast kick turns, and the narrow, nearly straight shape (98-65-78) keeps skins light and edges quick to engage on firm, steep tracks. On the descent the construction suggests the usual skimo character: a 24 m radius at 161 cm wants long, controlled turns and the paulownia-and-carbon layup will feel direct and light rather than damp. Riders of this class of ski report that they need an active, centred stance on hard snow and that chopped or heavy spring snow is where the thin waist shows its limits. Blizzard lists the target group as very experienced skiers who handle all terrain and conditions at speed; this is not a ski for learning to tour.

Construction & specs explained

• Construction: Zero G Tour Construction (Blizzard's name for the Race layup).
• Core: Paulownia, chosen for its very low density.
• Reinforcement: carbon; Blizzard credits the paulownia and carbon combination for making the Race "one of the lightest skis in its class", but gives no layer details.
• Sidewall: Partial ABS.
• Profile: not specified by Blizzard for the 26/27 model (the spec table shows a dash); retailer pages for the Zero G Race describe a full-camber race shape.
• Dimensions: 98-65-78 mm at 161 cm, radius 24 m.
• Length: 161 cm only.
• Weight: 1,440 g per pair at 161 cm, so 720 g per ski.
• Bindings: flat ski, Crest 10 / Alpinist 10 recommended.
• Factory tune: 0.9° base, 87.5° side edge. Made in Austria.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Zero G Race is for skimo racers, vertical-race regulars and fast-and-light mountaineers who want a Blizzard in the race category. The obvious cross-shops are the dedicated race skis in the catalog. The Dynafit DNA (64 mm, 660–690 g per ski in 153 and 162 cm, 20 m radius) is lighter and offers two lengths. The Atomic Backland 65 ul is the closest match on paper: also a single 161 cm length, 65 mm waist, 24 m radius and about 670 g per ski. The Movement Race Pro 66 (66 mm, 620–680 g in 150 and 160 cm) is the lightest of the group. Within Blizzard's own line, the Blizzard Zero g lt 080 is the step down for skiers who want race-like weight but an 80 mm waist and a 150–178 cm length run for everyday fast touring.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• About 720 g per ski for a very low swing weight on long ascents.
• Paulownia core and carbon layup in a race-proven 98-65-78 shape.
• Flat ski, so you choose your own race binding.
• Made in Austria with Blizzard's touring tune and edges.

Cons

• One length only, 161 cm, so sizing options are nil.
• Heavier on paper than the DNA, Backland 65 UL and Race Pro 66.
• Blizzard publishes no rocker or camber profile for this model.
• A pure race tool with little comfort in chopped or heavy snow.

Verdict: The Zero G Race is a clean, 720 g skimo race ski for racers and fast-and-light mountaineers who want to stay inside the Zero G family. If you want more length choice or the very lowest weight, compare the Dynafit DNA and Movement Race Pro 66 before you buy.