Firebird race type mt review

Overview

The Firebird Race Type MT is the medium-turn half of the new Race Type pair that Blizzard adds to the Firebird line for 26/27, positioned above the existing WRC, HRC and SRC. It shares its build with the Race Type LT but swaps the GS shape for a 120-67-100 mm sidecut that Blizzard keeps identical across all three lengths: 167 cm (14 m), 173 cm (15 m) and 179 cm (16 m). Like the LT it comes with the Race Plate Pro B mounted and no binding — Blizzard recommends a Comp20, Comp16 GW or Comp12 GW — and a "(Flat)" version without the plate is the same ski. Weights run from 1,850 g per ski at 167 cm to 2,050 g at 179 cm. The purple topsheet is the new colour of the Race Type series.

On-snow performance

On paper the MT is the more versatile of the two Race Types: the 14–16 m radius sits between slalom and GS, so it should link medium arcs at a rhythm the 17–19 m LT cannot match, and the wider 120 mm tip promises a quicker, more decisive turn entry. The construction is pure race department — full camber, three full-length titanal layers, phenol sidewalls and a World Cup base — so expect the same hard-snow grip and damping at speed. The thin rubber layer between the dual top titanal is there to take the chatter out of a stiff ski on icy pistes, and the Trueblend Race core, firmer in the middle and softer at the ends, gives the flex some progression. Blizzard's own brief for it is "explosiveness, agility and stable guidance". Still, at 1,850–2,050 g per ski plus plate it needs speed and pressure to come alive; slow skidded turns, bumps and soft snow are not its job.

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; the top layer is a dual-titanal construction separated by a thin rubber damping layer.
• 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: 120-67-100 mm in all lengths; radius 14 m (167), 15 m (173), 16 m (179).
• Weight: 1,850 g (167), 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

The MT is for expert piste skiers and masters racers who want race-department construction in a medium-radius shape, and who will fit their own race binding. Within Blizzard, the Race Type LT is the long-turn twin (115-67-96 mm, 17–19 m, 173/179 cm) and the Blizzard Firebird sl fis is the FIS slalom ski for gate training. Cross-shops in the same 67–68 mm multi-radius class are the Stockli Laser wrt pro (67 mm, 12.3–16 m), the Rossignol Hero elite st ti (68 mm, 11–14 m) with binding included, and the Head Worldcup rebels e sl (68 mm, 10.5–13.7 m) if you lean further towards slalom.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Full race-department build: three titanal layers, phenol sidewalls, World Cup base.
• 14–16 m radius is more versatile than a pure GS or SL shape.
• Same 120-67-100 mm sidecut in every length makes sizing predictable.
• Race Plate Pro B included; binding choice stays open.

Cons

• 1,850–2,050 g per ski before the binding is fitted.
• Sold without binding, so a Comp-series race binding comes on top of the €1,200 price.
• Three lengths only, none below 167 cm.
• Demands speed and strong technique; offers nothing in soft snow or bumps.

Verdict: The Race Type MT is the Blizzard Race Type most skiers should pick: the same World Cup construction as the LT in a medium-radius shape that still works between the long GS arcs. Want a binding included and a lighter ski? Look at the HRC. Want long turns only? The LT.