Spot on review as always by Phil! This is one of my absolute favorite skis in my quiver - this ski will just cut trenches in groomers, short to medium radius turns are no problem. Love the pop this ski has out of the turn but it’s not as demanding as a full race ski so you can use it all day. Probably one my all time favorite skis for on piste!
Simple question, should I get a Thunderbird R15 WB or the new ANOMALY 84, I guess you skid both already and maybe can help me with this decision... Thank you for any advice.
Hi , I’m a 6 feet 210lb advanced beginner trying to perfect carving and solid ski that I can easily get on edge in hard packed east coast groomers. Would you say this is similar or better for me than the Rossignol Experience 76 Ca? Thanks.
The Thunderbird is a much more powerful ski than the Experience 76. It's about two to three levels beyond that ski and may be too big of a jump. I'd look at something like the Volkl Deacon 80 or the Nordica Steadfast 80 to help you progress and advance.
@@SkiEssentialsgood info, thanks! As a beginner looking for better boot rentals I was offered a pick of a fancy ski like this and probably got out of my depth - I'll probably have to ask them for something more beginner sensible (In my own case I loved the thin version of the Salomon Distance series, for example!)
There's a lot of similarities here. The Deacon, though does use slight tip and tail rocker, so the initiation and completion phases of the turns aren't quite as crisp as in the Thunderbird. The rest of the ski is very similar in terms of feel and character. I do like the Blizzard's ability to roll cleanly from edge to edge more than that of the Deacon--still have to get past the rocker in that ski, which may or may not be everyone's favorite thing in a front side ski.
I am needing a new teaching ski as I work towards my Level 3 certification. I have narrowed it down to the Thunderbird R15 or the Stockli Montero AS. I have an older Laser SC that is now my early/late season front side ski. Sounds like the Blizzard may be more versatile overall but curious as to your thoughts as to how each is in steeper bumps and through trees. I am 5’9” /175 lbs so any sizing insights would also be appreciated.
I use these as my daily driver ski and just got my Canadian level 3 cert. I think they are pretty good through the trees and steeper bumps. The softer tips and tails makes them pretty versatile for that sort of terrain without too much of a compromise to performance. I am 6' and have the 174. My only concern is when I am giving it 100% on hard pack snow I can feel them start to lose a bit of stability. Pretty happy with the size overall as I think the improved versatility in a slightly shorter ski is worth it, especially as an instructor.
The AS is going to feel generally similar to the SC--loves short turns and does them with impeccable smoothness and stability. That said, the Thunderbird feels more substantial, so for more aggressive skiing, I have found the Blizzard to be more amenable to higher-performance properties. If you have to demonstrate certain ski skills at various speeds, I do think the lighter and more flexible AS might have a leg up. For sizing, I'd look to the low 170's.
Spot on review as always by Phil!
This is one of my absolute favorite skis in my quiver - this ski will just cut trenches in groomers, short to medium radius turns are no problem. Love the pop this ski has out of the turn but it’s not as demanding as a full race ski so you can use it all day. Probably one my all time favorite skis for on piste!
It's Bob.
Nah, it's Benny
Simple question, should I get a Thunderbird R15 WB or the new ANOMALY 84, I guess you skid both already and maybe can help me with this decision...
Thank you for any advice.
If you are at all skiing off-trail, get the Anomaly. If you are 100% on groomers, get the Thunderbird.
Hi , I’m a 6 feet 210lb advanced beginner trying to perfect carving and solid ski that I can easily get on edge in hard packed east coast groomers. Would you say this is similar or better for me than the Rossignol Experience 76 Ca? Thanks.
The Thunderbird is a much more powerful ski than the Experience 76. It's about two to three levels beyond that ski and may be too big of a jump. I'd look at something like the Volkl Deacon 80 or the Nordica Steadfast 80 to help you progress and advance.
@@SkiEssentialsgood info, thanks! As a beginner looking for better boot rentals I was offered a pick of a fancy ski like this and probably got out of my depth - I'll probably have to ask them for something more beginner sensible (In my own case I loved the thin version of the Salomon Distance series, for example!)
Thanks for yet another great review, how would you compare these to the Deacon 72's?
There's a lot of similarities here. The Deacon, though does use slight tip and tail rocker, so the initiation and completion phases of the turns aren't quite as crisp as in the Thunderbird. The rest of the ski is very similar in terms of feel and character. I do like the Blizzard's ability to roll cleanly from edge to edge more than that of the Deacon--still have to get past the rocker in that ski, which may or may not be everyone's favorite thing in a front side ski.
@@SkiEssentials thanks for all very helpful insight, appreciate your channel!
I am needing a new teaching ski as I work towards my Level 3 certification. I have narrowed it down to the Thunderbird R15 or the Stockli Montero AS. I have an older Laser SC that is now my early/late season front side ski. Sounds like the Blizzard may be more versatile overall but curious as to your thoughts as to how each is in steeper bumps and through trees.
I am 5’9” /175 lbs so any sizing insights would also be appreciated.
I use these as my daily driver ski and just got my Canadian level 3 cert. I think they are pretty good through the trees and steeper bumps. The softer tips and tails makes them pretty versatile for that sort of terrain without too much of a compromise to performance. I am 6' and have the 174. My only concern is when I am giving it 100% on hard pack snow I can feel them start to lose a bit of stability. Pretty happy with the size overall as I think the improved versatility in a slightly shorter ski is worth it, especially as an instructor.
The AS is going to feel generally similar to the SC--loves short turns and does them with impeccable smoothness and stability. That said, the Thunderbird feels more substantial, so for more aggressive skiing, I have found the Blizzard to be more amenable to higher-performance properties. If you have to demonstrate certain ski skills at various speeds, I do think the lighter and more flexible AS might have a leg up. For sizing, I'd look to the low 170's.
How does this compare to the Nordica Doberman spitfire 76 RB? I see alot of ski instructors using this over the Nordica?
They're pretty similar skis. The Spitfire 76 has more race-like construction, but the shape is very much the same.
with 174cm height and 85kg (187 lbs) what size would you recommend? 166 or 174?
166. The skis are pretty darn stable, so there's no need to go with longer if you feel like you're in the middle.
@@SkiEssentials thanks for the reply!
6'1" 210 lb. Would 174 or 182 be a better length?
I'd go 182 if speed and longer turns are on your radar. If you're looking to keep it moderate and more mellow, the 174 should have enough stability.
Thoughts on Blizzard Firebird SRC?
I think it'd be a ton of fun in the 170 while still having the short radius. New build for 2024 with TrueBlend Race core and 3 sheets of metal!