Firebird src review

Overview

The Firebird SRC is the short-turn model of Blizzard's Firebird race-carve trio, 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 slalom-derived: 120-68-104 mm at 155 and 160 cm, 121-68-105 mm at 165 and 170 cm, with radii of 11, 12, 12.5 and 13.5 m. Blizzard's brief is "quick edge changes in short turns — the SRC offers exactly the stability and control that takes". At 1,540–1,770 g per ski it is the lightest of the three Firebird system skis, and the four lengths from 155 to 170 cm make it the most accessible to lighter and shorter skiers.

On-snow performance

Everything about the SRC's spec sheet points to rhythm on hard snow: an 11–13.5 m radius, a 120–121 mm tip and full camber describe a ski that wants to be rolled from edge to edge at a slalom cadence and rewards quick, round turns. The "3Ti Racing" construction gives it three stiffness zones matched to the Trueblend Race core — softer at the ends for turn entry and release, firm underfoot for grip — and the triple titanal sandwich sidewall should keep it quiet on icy pistes. The FDT Race Plate Pro B adds stand height for high edge angles without blocking the flex. The construction suggests a demanding but not brutal ski: lighter than the WRC and HRC, with a radius that gives something back at moderate speed. What it will not do is relax into long arcs — beyond its 13.5 m it will want to hook into the next turn — and soft snow, bumps and powder are not its world.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Trueblend Race Woodcore — several wood species of different density; firmer centre, medium around the binding, softer 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: 120-68-104 mm, 11 m (155) and 12 m (160); 121-68-105 mm, 12.5 m (165) and 13.5 m (170).
• Weight: 1,540 g (155), 1,620 g (160), 1,700 g (165) and 1,770 g (170) per ski, from Blizzard's per-pair figures.
• Made in Austria.

Who it's for & comparisons

The SRC is for advanced and expert piste skiers who love short, fast carved turns and want a race-derived ski with the binding included; the 155 and 160 cm lengths also make it a serious option for lighter skiers. In the Firebird line the HRC is the all-radius sibling and the Blizzard Firebird sl fis is the true FIS slalom ski for gates. The closest rivals are the Salomon Equipe sl 12 (68 mm, 11–14 m, plate and binding included), the Head Worldcup rebels e sl (68 mm, 10.5–13.7 m), the Volkl Racetiger sl (67 mm) and the Atomic Redster s9 (66 mm) — all slalom carvers for the same hard-snow, short-turn brief.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• 11–13.5 m radius and a 120–121 mm tip for quick, round short turns.
• Lightest of the three Firebird system skis at 1,540–1,770 g per ski.
• 3Ti Racing construction and Trueblend Race core for grip on ice.
• Four lengths from 155 cm suit lighter and shorter skiers.

Cons

• System binding: the Comp13 Demo (DIN 5–13) is the only option.
• No length above 170 cm for tall, heavy skiers.
• Short radius makes long, fast arcs hard work.
• €1,100 for a groomer-only specialist.

Verdict: The SRC is the Firebird for slalom-rhythm carving with a binding in the box, and the pick for lighter skiers thanks to its 155 cm start. Want longer arcs or one ski for all radii? The HRC. Want a FIS slalom ski? The Firebird SL FIS.