Firebird race type lt review

Overview

The Firebird Race Type LT is one of two new Race Type models Blizzard adds to the Firebird line for 26/27, and the brand positions the pair above its existing WRC, HRC and SRC. Unlike the WRC system ski, it comes with the Race Plate Pro B mounted and no binding (Blizzard recommends a Comp20, Comp16 GW or Comp12 GW). A "(Flat)" version without the plate is the same ski. The LT is the long-turn member of the pair: 115-67-96 mm at 173 cm with a 17 m radius, and 114-67-95.5 mm at 179 cm with 19 m. Only those two lengths are offered in Europe, and at 1,950–2,050 g per ski it is a heavy, serious piece of equipment.

On-snow performance

On paper this is the closest thing to a GS race ski in Blizzard's commercial range. Full camber, three full-length titanal layers and a 67 mm waist describe a ski that wants high edge angles and long, loaded arcs on hard snow. A thin rubber damping layer between the dual top titanal is there to keep it calm at the speeds a 19 m radius invites, and the phenol sidewalls are Blizzard's World Cup material for direct power transfer to the edge. The Trueblend Race core, firmer in the middle and softer at the ends, should make turn entry more forgiving than the metal count implies — but with a 17–19 m radius this ski rewards speed and a committed line. At low speed, in short skidded turns or in soft snow and bumps, the weight and the narrow shape work against it; Blizzard's own tagline, "this ski is not for followers", is a fair warning.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Trueblend Race Woodcore — several wood species of different density, arranged to tune the flex along the length.
• Metal: "3 Full Ti Racing" — three full-length titanal layers from tip to tail; the top layer is a dual-titanal construction with a thin rubber damping layer in between.
• Sidewall: Full Phenol.
• Base: World Cup running base with a herringbone structure.
• Profile: Full Camber.
• Plate: Race Plate Pro B pre-mounted; sold without binding (recommended Comp20 / Comp16 GW / Comp12 GW). The "(Flat)" version omits the plate.
• Dimensions and radius: 115-67-96 mm, 17 m (173); 114-67-95.5 mm, 19 m (179).
• Weight: 1,950 g (173) and 2,050 g (179) per ski, from Blizzard's per-pair figures.
• Made in Austria.

Who it's for & comparisons

This is a ski for expert piste skiers, masters racers and ex-racers who want GS-style turns on a commercial ski and will choose their own race binding. In the Firebird line the sibling Race Type MT shares the build but uses a 120-67-100 mm sidecut and 14–16 m radii for medium turns, while the Blizzard Firebird sl fis is the FIS slalom ski for actual gate training. Outside Blizzard, the Atomic Redster g9 (67 mm, 15–18 m) and Volkl Racetiger gs (67 mm, 15–18 m) are the obvious GS-carver cross-shops with more lengths; the Salomon Equipe gs pro (67 mm, 175–182 cm) is the other new 26/27 ski that comes with a race plate and the same expert-only brief.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Three full titanal layers, phenol sidewalls and a World Cup base: a genuine race-room build.
• Rubber damping layer between the dual top titanal for composure at speed.
• Trueblend Race core softens turn entry and release.
• Race Plate Pro B included; binding choice stays open.

Cons

• Around 2 kg per ski before the binding is fitted.
• Only two lengths (173 and 179 cm) in Europe, both long.
• Sold without binding, so budget for a Comp-series race binding on top of the €1,200 price.
• 17–19 m radius demands speed and strong technique; no help in soft snow.

Verdict: The Firebird Race Type LT is Blizzard's new top-of-the-range GS carver for experts who want race-department construction without buying a FIS ski. If you prefer medium turns, look at the Race Type MT; if you want a binding included and a lighter ski, the WRC is the sensible step down.