Seemingly out of left field comes some impressive new lightweight skis. That is, if left field were defined as the Blizzard factory in Austria and you gloss over the fact that Blizzard manufactured many skis stamped with other, well-known, backcountry brand names. Now showing off their clandestine experience, Blizzard added a three-dimensional layer of carbon fiber across the enter length and width. This Carbon Drive makes the ski stiff in all directions while offering a relatively damp ride with smooth flex. They also built in sidewalls to help the edges penetrate crusts and ice, while offering more protection from rocks. A rocker + camber profile is just what the doctor ordered for the variable conditions you find while climbing mountains. The Zero G 85 is just what we ordered for classic mountaineering.

• Full-length sidewalls are rare for a ski this light, offering dampness, edge hold, and durability.
• Carbon Drive technology is a unidirectional weave in a three-dimensional pattern that just works.
• Metal edges also run the full length of the ski so you aren’t compromising an inch on the steeps.
• Paulownia wood core with the carbon frame offers a reasonably stiff ride with some rebound.

Update 2016/17: Just a new topsheet.

Update 2018/19: Blizzard again updated the graphics while keeping the same construction. They now offer the ski in White or Yellow.

Update 2019/20: The good folks at Blizzard made some significant changes to this ski for the 19/20 season, so we pushed it over to a new listing, which can be found here.