The Blizzard Firebird SRC feels like a GS ski trapped in an SL’s body.  The slalom shape dictates a short-radius turn whenever it’s raked on edge, but its serenity at speed and willingness to open up its natural radius make it feel like a GS ski. Jim Schaffner’s staccato commentary reflects the SRC’s dual personality: “SL to GS to SL to GS, etc, etc, etc…” all those et ceteras plus an ellipsis to emphasize a string that never ends. “Best all-rounder SL,” Coach Schaffner concludes.

Two key features that Blizzard added last year to its traditional wood and Titanal construction contribute to the SRC’s Zen-like serenity on edge.  Carbon Armor is an extra slab of bi-directional carbon under the binding that amplifies force in the heart of the arc. To keep the ski planted like it had roots in the snow, two vertical carbon struts, called Carbon Spine, tri-sect the laminated wood core.  Carbon Spine kicks in at the bottom of the turn, sending the skier off into the next arc as if fired from a crossbow.

One of the top test jockeys at Joe’s submitted this thumbnail sketch of the SRC’s personality: “New construction with the Carbon Spine really rails when up on edge. A very impressive recreational slalom ski.  Great fun to rip off snappy turns!” Corty Lawrence used the same adjective in his appraisal: “Snappy, quick, good symmetry, no real speed limit,” assessed the former co-owner at Footloose. “It likes to be manhandled,” according to Corty, who advised that “it needs authority, and given this guidance it behaves like a classic slalom ski. You can alter radius and shape, and it’s never jittery or nervous at speed when asked to make GS turns.”

It might be superfluous to say so, but the Blizzard Firebird SRC isn’t for skiers who are still halfway up the ability development ladder. Familiarity with race technique may not be strictly essential, but basic carving skills and comfort at speed are.