Blizzard Cochise review 2017
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
Already tested with success last year, the Cochise once again confirms its high standard and its strong character.
On piste, the ski is amazingly efficient and precise, almost trenchant... unique in this category! From the very first rides down, you know that this ski is just itching to get into long-radius turns and speed up. The grip and turn control are astonishing for a freeride ski, and the Cochise stays glued to the curve. At high speeds, stability is mind-boggling. But on the flip side, the ski is demanding and requires engagement: you have to be "on top of it". A stiff ski with a 27m radius (!), you understand fast that short-radius turns are not its thing and that it requires a good deal of engagement.
In freeride, the ski displays the same qualities. Helped by its stiffness and a large waist, it zips through the crud and difficult snow conditions. Flotation in the powder is excellent, helped along by its wide waist (108 mm).
This is a truly high-powered machine with outstanding grip and stability, but it's relatively demanding. The Cochise is perfect for very fit, experienced freeriders who prefer long turns and extreme speeds on all types of terrain, including the manicured slopes!
Review: Pros
- Awesome performance
- Fiendish stability and grip
- A ski that can go extremely fast
- Excellent piste performance
- Great precision and turn control
Review: Cons
- A rigid ski, the Cochise requires engagement and technical skills, particularly in turn initiation
- Performance designed for long-radius turns, more physical and technical in short turns
The ski review scores
Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.5 |
Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.8 |
Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.8 |
Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.8 |
Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.8 |
Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 18.5 |
Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.5 |
Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.0 |
Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.8 |
Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.8 |
Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.3 |
Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.0 |
Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.3 |
Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 19.3 |
Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.8 |
All-terrain comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.8 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
The Cochise has the same wood/titanal construction with carbon at the tip and tail.
The combination of FlipCore and ICC technologies has resulted in the Carbon FlipCore technology.
The exclusive features of this freeride ski guarantee enhanced flotation and easy control.
The ski has better balance without losing any of its stability or grip. The tip and tail are made of lighter materials, reinforced by multidirectional carbon fibre.
The result is a ski with:
• less inertia at the tip and tail
• less vibration
• greater precision in turn initiation
Compared to the old Cochise, we have a tool that's a lot more responsive and playful but that has kept its alpine character, with the grip that's specific to Blizzard skis.
Features of the Cochise
Brand : | Blizzard |
Model : | Cochise |
Year : | 2017 |
Family : | All Mountain 30/70 |
Size tested : | 185 cm |
Tip size : | 136 mm |
Waist size : | 108 mm |
Tail size : | 122 mm |
Radius for the size reviewed : | Not available |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2016