Blizzard 2014 ski reviews

The Viva Power 350 is an athletic ski. Slightly more demanding than the other skis in the freeride category, our testers loved it. Its performance positions it between the Versatile Freeride and the Advanced categories. An excellent choice for athletic skiers from more or less good to very good indeed, and who're looking for a ski that's easy to use, enjoyable and extremely efficient.

Unquestionably geared towards performance, the Blizzard Power 800 lives up to its name. The ski is a must for riders looking for a lively, athletic ski that handles well in long-radius turns on groomed runs without sacrificing comfort and accessibility.

It may not be very playful, but the Viva 7.7 is fluid, very easy to use, enjoyable, and a wonderful toy that you won't get tired of. Its accessibility and level of performance make it an ideal ski for the Advanced category, and we heartily recommend it for a wide range of skiers, from intermediate to expert.

The Bonafide is a ski with a lot of character, and the ideal choice for athletic freeriders looking for a ski they can have fun with, which performs very well on the slopes - preferably in long-radius turns - and which is highly effective on off-piste terrains. Average-sized skiers would do well to choose a shorter model.

The Power 400 is very well named. It's a powerful and efficient ski, unfortunately handicapped by its lack of accessibility, which pulls it down in this category. A bit too challenging for intermediate skiers, the Power 400 is closer to an Advanced ski, best for skiers that already know what they're doing and can carve a turn on a sixpence.

Designed with a titanium plate at the front for extra rigidity, the Brahma is an "athletic" and demanding ski. A 70% on-piste and 30% powder ski for fit skiers with a good technical skill set.