2022 Blizzard Bonafide 97 Ski Review

I got new sticks! After lots and lots of research, with help from SkiEssentials.com, Blister, and Curated, I decided on either the Salomon Stance 96s or the Blizzard Bonafide 97s. As it turned out, my local shop couldn't get the right length of the Stance 96s, so I went with the Bonafide 97s, and I am glad I did. In this video, which was shot at Appalachian Ski Mountain here in North Carolina, I discuss the construction of the skis, their intended use, their competitors that I demoed, and pros/cons that I have found while skiing them. Enjoy!
Music in this video:
"Chillout Room Spinnin'" by me (Greg McCandless)
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My gear:
Blizzard Bonafide 97 skis
Dalbello Panterra 130 ID GW boots
Komperdell Carbon Black poles
POC Retina Clarity Comp goggles
POC Skull Orbic American Downhiller helmet
Hestra Fall Line gloves
Obermeyer Foundation jacket
Obermeyer Keystone pants
American Downhiller neckie
Bomber X-Bionic socks
Spyder Core Sweater Conduct gloves
Helly Hansen knit beanie
Helly Hansen headband
Nordica ski bag
Head World Cup Rebels ski fix
My camera:
GoPro Hero 9 Black (30fps, 4500k white balance, 400-800 ISO, Wide view, Hypersmooth Boost, EV Comp -1, GoPro color, Low sharpness)
My software:
Apple Logic Pro X
Apple Final Cut Pro X
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:19 - Ski Overview
01:21 - Run 1 - Big Arcs
01:48 - Ski Construction Pt.1
03:02 - Run 2 - High Edge Angles
03:38 - Ski Construction Pt.2
04:21 - Run 3 - Skiing Switch
05:35 - Comparisons w/ Other Skis
07:25 - Run 4 - Short Turns
08:10 - Run 5 - Pros and Cons
09:15 - Run 6 - Who This Ski Is For
10:06 - Summary and Terrain Park Lap
11:07 Outro | PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

[@DaBluBarron1918]

Seeming all your vids, man you are Carving. use to short jump carver but these your using your size to your advantage. Amazing quality review. Wish I had something like this for my snowboards.

[@DescentAtBest]

Thanks - yeah I decided to use my old skis as park skis now...they are slarvy and smeary so it works out!

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

The True Blend Wood Core allows the Wood stringers to be adjusted so that the flex is adjusted to each ski length. This really helps fine tune the ski flex to your weight, strength and skiing style.

[@DescentAtBest]

Yeah that's cool. Apparently the shortest lengths used to be stiffest and the longest lengths the most flexible--the opposite of what most would want--because the core was the same for all lengths. No longer!

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

Damn I didn’t know the trails there were so short. Sorry you runs end in 20 seconds or less. Great review though. I bought these for my father-in-law in a 177

[@DescentAtBest]

Yeah 300 vert at App Ski but then a half hour away Sugar has 1200!

[@nzheliking1278]

Hi. Curious what height / weight are you skiing the 189? I’m 183 210pounds and stuck between 183 and 189. Cheers Nic.

[@DescentAtBest]

I'm 188cm tall and *cough* well over 300lbs. It's still a bit planky for me so I'd go 183 for you for sure.

[@richardmcquellon852]

Awesome review! Are you a consultant for consumer reports? “Chops through like butter.” U and Bodie in the super G turns! Get me sum dem skis!!

[@DescentAtBest]

Haha hoping to do some work for Curated actually, helping people find skis. We'll see!