The new Blizzard Firebird SRC replaces a slalom ski notorious for being as light as a locomotive. The Firebird SRC sill sports the obligatory twin Titanal laminates and vertically laminated all-wood core that are the hallmarks of the best race skis, but ultra-light carbon does the rest of the heavy lifting.

Beneath the SRC’s burly Marker WC Piston Plate is an edge-to-edge layer of bi-directional carbon Blizzard calls C-Armor that turbo charges the ski’s power and stability through the middle of the turn. To augment acceleration across the fall line, two vertical carbon laminates, dubbed C-Spine, trisect the core from end to end.

Working in unison with the Firebird SRC’s traditionally cambered baseline, C-Spine generates propulsive rebound that translates the dissipating energy of one turn into an aggressive entry into the next. “It’s very quick edge to edge” confirms one of the California Ski Company crew. “Not for beginners,” cautions another CSC tester, by which he means anyone who’s not an expert. “Great carving ability but very demanding. A strong skill set is required to appreciate this ski. However, it’s a sweet groomer ski that likes to go fast.”

And turn, baby, turn. While the SRC is still as stable as an anvil at speed, its 12.5m sidecut radius isn’t made for going straight but for stitching a zigzag pattern. “Super turny,’ agrees another Cal Ski veteran evaluator. “Gotta be strong and on it to keep up with its rebound.” None of these cautionary remarks need concern a strong skier who knows how to point ‘em. If this isn’t your first rodeo, the fluid Firebird SRC might be your kind of ride.