Blizzard fans may recall the Bushwacker name from the first Flipcore collection, where it occupied a similar slot in the Freeride All-Mountain family. The role was most recently filled by the Brahma CA, which was gracefully retired after a brief tour of duty as the Brahma’s lesser sibling. The Bushwacker is also a Titanal-free Brahma, but the new iteration is livelier and more fun to ski. One likely reason why we didn’t receive more cards on the new ski is testers may have shied away from a rehashed model they prejudged as unworthy of their precious test time.

What a shame.  With a full complement of test cards, the Bushwacker might have embarrassed the field. It bows easily without any trace of tip flutter and stays connected better than a lot of swanky system skis costing almost twice as much. Without any metal to inhibit the natural resilience of its fiberglass laminates, the Bushwacker is able to bound out of the turn like slalom skis of yore. Its shape is suited to off-trail travel yet delivers tip-to-tail contact when tipped and pressured. Lighter or low-energy output skiers will find it needs only to be caressed into a turn, and it follows the carve with the happy obedience of a trained beagle. Ideal for either end of the adult age spectrum, the Bushwacker is a steal at a street price of only $599.95.