https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest25 daily 0.75 2026-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/c58085a0-edcf-4064-b219-f95586ded515/IMG_1920.jpg https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest25/cz3rtatqvxmldb4jltc1wqfromj8l6-pgegl-xzpft-g4ec8 monthly 0.5 2026-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/725a8682-e752-4d97-b692-f58c962886e5/R9.png 2025 Ski Test - Blizzard Rustler 9 - Make it stand out Image courtesy of Blizzard-Tecnica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/825e6f3f-3cce-4883-a4ca-106be9e61ba8/R9Spruce.webp 2025 Ski Test - Blizzard Rustler 9 - I describe the Rustler as a “Golden Retriever”, it’s always down for anything that you want to do. It might not be the fastest, strongest, or most well behaved pup, but the retriever does whatever you want it to do, and is happy to do it. The Rustler 9 is happy to be on groomers, loves to dart through the trees, it’ll even handle a park lap if you really want. The Rustler is made for versatility, and that’s where it truly excels. A jack of all trades, master of none, its highlight is that it doesn’t have a highlight. In the 174cm length, even at 180-190 lbs, the Rustler 9 felt supportive enough for me to carve well, yet was still happy to send it sideways whenever I asked. Through my ownership journey of the Rustler, I spent the vast majority of my days on my personal 174cm, and demoed the 180cm near the end of the season. Choosing again, the 180cm would be my choice of length. The mobility I found within the 174cm was still present, coupled with the increase in strength you might expect from sizing up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/643dae99-dcc1-4d64-8e32-22dcaa1b39ad/IMG_9241.jpg 2025 Ski Test - Blizzard Rustler 9 - Rustler’s have a really cool shape and profile that lends itself to the versatility I keep touting. With notable splay in both the tips and tails, paired with softer flex in both ends, it provides the skier a loose and smooth feeling ride. This leads to a generally playful nature; not demanding, but more so encouraging and willing. If your form isn’t perfect, it’s not going to beat you up or throw a tantrum. Just like your furry friend, it’s not going to be upset that you took it to the dog park instead of the lake house, it’s just happy to be with you. The Rustler is not the most engaging, as it doesn’t really yank you into a carving turn. The tip shape and notable splay, working in tandem with the FluxForm metal, however, lets you to reliably tilt it on edge and maintain higher speeds in various turn shapes. While the versatility on offer is the primary selling point, the Rustler is a strong ski. Don’t think that because the ski is bending that it isn’t up for some serious speed. If you trust the Rustler 9, especially in the longer lengths, you can drive the tip and get into a lot of the sidecut with a surprisingly high factor of trust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/41b0cde3-fd8f-4c6d-ab75-42979d8f9944/R9+Scores+Final.png 2025 Ski Test - Blizzard Rustler 9 - Make it stand out 2025 Quiv3r Ski Test Scores Tested by: Collin Wiedersheim Days skied: ~30 Boots: 2023 Nordica SportMachine 110, 27.5 mondo, custom footbeds 174 & 180 cm lengths, Griffon 13 ID mounted at factory recommended line https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest25/cz3rtatqvxmldb4jltc1wqfromj8l6-pgegl-xzpft monthly 0.5 2025-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/f3fe6806-a593-4cf8-8cb6-d5fe44202647/24volkl01unit_w.png 2025 Ski Test - Volkl Revolt 104 - Make it stand out Image courtesy of Volkl https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/4aa72311-22ae-4686-9697-d5557ccc596f/IMG_1487.jpg 2025 Ski Test - Volkl Revolt 104 - After a couple days on the Revolt, a few things jumped out and feel worth noting about its performance. First and foremost, this ski is no slouch. Sure, it won’t rip across an icy slope like a Race Tiger, and it doesn’t have the endless stability of a Mantra, either. Tilt the edges into a softer groomer and find your balance (more on that later), and you’ll find it more than willing to dig in and bring you around the hill. Another element of the Revolt hearkens back to its ethos. Many Revolt’s end up on the feet of some of the best freestyle athletes in the world. Revolts are (mostly) park skis, and the 104 is no exception, especially considering its mount point. At -1.75cm back from dead center, the park performance and freestyle character make themselves known, and it skis accordingly. It will happily ski switch, and is a good time when you take it through the park, although it’s truly a bit wide to be your only park ski. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/cd72193c-d084-4200-8d4f-958fb9cb43cc/Revolt104TestScores.PNG 2025 Ski Test - Volkl Revolt 104 - Make it stand out 2025 Quiv3r Ski Test Scores Tested by: Collin Wiedersheim Days skied: ~15 Boots: 2023 Nordica SportMachine 110, 27.5 mondo, custom footbeds 180 cm length, Griffon 13 ID mounted at factory recommended line https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest25/cz3rtatqvxmldb4jltc1wqfromj8l6-pgegl monthly 0.5 2025-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/1752502979960-7LZFE4YBKB94EA88JOOO/nordica-unleashed-98-ice-572046-1.png 2025 Ski Test - Nordica Unleashed 98 - Make it stand out Image courtesy of Nordica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/f803b921-3d7d-466d-b72f-8ed05b23a8ca/IMG_1478.jpg 2025 Ski Test - Nordica Unleashed 98 - Add everything together, and you get unique performance from a ski in the all mountain category. The biggest standout for the Unleashed 98 is its carving prowess. Stand it on its edge, give it a little gas, and it will rebound you into a wonderful carve. Then, if your heart desires, slide it out and shut it down. They’ve got the splay and shape that allows you to have your cake and eat it too. You’re on a twin tip with clear freestyle inspiration, a ski like this should allow for that, and the Unleashed definitively does. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/60a69af6-6b1e-441e-9914-95be9fca5f20/IMG_1635.jpg 2025 Ski Test - Nordica Unleashed 98 - Despite its nearly triple-digit waist width, the Unleashed 98 is pretty darn good on truly icy groomers. The nearly full sheet of metal really shines on hardpack and firm snow. Tilted on edge, they hold exceptionally well for a ski this wide, and will rebound the skier into these rhythmic, addicting carves. Even in deeper snow, the width and splay in the tip allow the Unleashed to float better than you might imagine, especially compared to skis with similar frontside capabilities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/c4548799-2d8d-4f97-bc9c-3011aacb948f/Test+Scores.+PNG.PNG 2025 Ski Test - Nordica Unleashed 98 - Make it stand out 2025 Quiv3r Ski Test Scores Tested by: Collin Wiedersheim Days skied: ~30 Boots: 2023 Nordica SportMachine 110, 27.5 mondo, custom footbeds 180 cm length, Griffon 13 ID mounted at factory recommended line https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest25/cz3rtatqvxmldb4jltc1wqfromj8l6 monthly 0.5 2025-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/2f74e02a-026f-489f-9ec4-ce36eb4e3e6a/Playmaker+91+Header.png 2025 Ski Test - Elan Playmaker 91 - Make it stand out Image courtesy of Elansports.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/2567a9dd-49e3-4a47-ab51-7c637bfc3de5/IMG_1819.jpg 2025 Ski Test - Elan Playmaker 91 - The 91 wants to jump and skip between turns, rather than rail carves. There’s no doubt both the rocker profile and carbon rods contribute to the zip and rebound that the Playmaker 91 promotes. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but given the lack of metal in its construction and the lightweight profile, the 91 is by no means a robust ski. While skilled skiers will find some reliability directly underfoot, you should temper your expectations when dealing with any sort of variable conditions or hardpack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/4de7dc61-33c7-4c04-a642-9a4dffa4bf3d/IMG_2085.jpg 2025 Ski Test - Elan Playmaker 91 - Where the Playmaker really shined was some medium pitch, lower snow tree runs. The lightweight construction and the “Surf Rocker” profile can be used to the skier’s advantage in tighter trees and off-piste terrain. Wizard’s Gulch, a double diamond tree run at Sunday River, was a great example of a trail that showcased the prowess and quickness of the 91. Medium to large moguls with occasional steep drops followed immediately by quick and consequential turns, Upper and Lower Wizard is a classic New England glade. In a setting like this, the Playmaker is forgiving and agile and helps make runs like this approachable and even more fun. If there’s a foot of fresh snow, would a skier prefer something wider? No doubt, but waist-deep days aren’t an everyday occurrence in western Maine, so the 91 makes a great choice for the woods. The rocker and taper of the tips and tails lets the skier put them anywhere, but the rebound and energy of the core and the carbon rods allows access to a surprising amount of precision as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/936f2982-89c2-4b05-a73e-fd2018793401/Test+Scores.png 2025 Ski Test - Elan Playmaker 91 - Make it stand out 2025 Quiv3r Ski Test Scores Tested by: Collin Wiedersheim Days skied: ~15 Boots: 2023 Nordica SportMachine 110, 27.5 mondo, custom footbeds 180 cm length, Strive 14 mounted at +1 line https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest26 daily 0.75 2026-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/d415d6d9-62d6-4978-8ba9-e6ca2740d6e6/IMG_1831.jpg https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest26/first-look-2027-k2-minbender-101-tek2j monthly 0.5 2026-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/30958d97-1e2e-488f-9368-b10fa0ca9997/IMG_2211.jpg 2026 Ski Test - FIRST LOOK: 2027 Armada Antimatter 100 & 108 - While the 100 lets you surf and float, it also provides some serious power. That power is achieved through Armada’s introduction of a new performance technology called “Speedmetal.” Comprised of a partial laminate of metal, Speedmetal runs full width underfoot, then tapers in from the edges as you move away from the binding zone. It then finally tapers back to full width as you approach the tips and tails, then abruptly stops all together. Complicated to explain, simple in execution, as it aims to provide the edge grip and smooth power expected from a full sheet of metal without the weight. Armada mentioned that they wanted a loose tip and tail in the 100, so they didn’t want to extend Speedmetal too far down the length of the ski. By shortening it and incorporating unique shaping, it frees the tips and tails up a bit to provide surfy performance that Armada’s athletes desired and demanded. The Dark Matter on the 101 was nearly impossible to photograph, especially in the dim light of day two at Waterville Valley test day. The weights are about halfway between the binding and the Mindbender logo in the tip, and aren’t flush with the topsheet. You can see and feel them, similar to a layer of titanal, but thicker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/6604661d-7865-43ca-9277-dbdcf2a86ecf/IMG_2281.jpg 2026 Ski Test - FIRST LOOK: 2027 Armada Antimatter 100 & 108 - The story for the 108 deviates from its narrower sibling a bit. Speedmetal, like in the 100, finds its way to the new 108. Speedmetal replaces the Articulated Titinal Banding X metal laminate found in the Declivity of the same width. The construction differences between the two stop there, aside from the new name and graphic. The shaping of the Declivity X 108 also carries through to the Antimatter 108. The sidecut in the tested Antimatter 108 in the 184 cm length is a 130mm tip, 108mm waist, and a 121mm tail. Couple that with a 24 meter turn radius, and you have a ski that wont hesitate to take you for a ride. Skiers should be seeking a ski with this long turn shape or, at the very least, be ready for it. It’s certainly not for everybody, and nor is it designed to be for everyone. The 108 will be quite demanding if you want to coerce it into shorter arcs or operate at low speeds a lot of the time. https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest26/first-look-2027-k2-minbender-101 monthly 0.5 2026-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/a05d03c3-341b-4fa3-bc40-5371e96c255c/IMG_2267.jpg 2026 Ski Test - FIRST LOOK: 2027 K2 Minbender 101 - Make it stand out The Dark Matter on the 101 was nearly impossible to photograph, especially in the dim light of day two at Waterville Valley test day. The weights are about halfway between the binding and the Mindbender logo in the tip, and aren’t flush with the topsheet. You can see and feel them, similar to a layer of titanal, but thicker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/b024163f-2c0c-4e90-934c-0abed7fa360a/IMG_2271.jpg 2026 Ski Test - FIRST LOOK: 2027 K2 Minbender 101 - A blurry encapsulation of the tip rocker profile of the 2027 K2 Mindbender 101. A blurry yet striking depiction of the ample amount of cambered tip rocker in the 2027 K2 Mindbender 101. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/f19ef150-d583-42e8-9b93-e5e883a81a62/IMG_2269.jpg 2026 Ski Test - FIRST LOOK: 2027 K2 Minbender 101 Overall profile of the Mindbender 101 in the 185cm length. On the left ski you can note the trapezoidal shaped Dark Matter, especially alongside the right edge. https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest26/salomon-qst-106-fhjdd monthly 0.5 2026-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/f26dfa11-548c-4d36-a697-600075371f07/2026-atomic-bent-100-skis-aa0030694-aa0030694.png 2026 Ski Test - First Tracks: Atomic Bent 100 - Make it stand out Image courtesy of SkiEssentials.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/d256c350-fc66-4752-8df6-727394ddf32e/IMG_2061.jpg 2026 Ski Test - First Tracks: Atomic Bent 100 - Make it stand out 2026 Atomic Bent 100, 179 cm length, Sugarloaf Mountain on a frigid January day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/6d52fc62-cf00-45de-a60a-43a687a65da5/Bent+100+Scores+Graph+%281%29.png 2026 Ski Test - First Tracks: Atomic Bent 100 - Make it stand out 2026 Quiv3r Ski Test Scores Tested by: Collin Wiedersheim Days skied: 2 Boots: 2025 Salomon S/Pro Supra 130, 27.5 Mondo, custom footbeds 179cm length, Salomon Strive 13 Demo mounted at factory recommended line https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/c903eed4-9198-4ae7-ae95-6bc385832ca8/IMG_2064.jpg 2026 Ski Test - First Tracks: Atomic Bent 100 - Make it stand out Nearing the top of King Pine at Sugarloaf. https://www.quiv3r.com/skitest26/salomon-qst-106 monthly 0.5 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/e98eac48-8acd-4c8d-969d-f1f515dfb40a/QST106+Main+Image+%281%29.png 2026 Ski Test - 2025 Salomon QST 106 - Make it stand out Image courtesy of SkiEssentials.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/53677814-97fb-4269-80a4-40a84f3071ed/IMG_1832.jpg 2026 Ski Test - 2025 Salomon QST 106 - Make it stand out Looking down Ridgeview off the Fourrunner Quad at Stowe Mountain Resort https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/d3eaa60e-13ec-4c7e-8c31-4997daf70dfd/jpg 2026 Ski Test - 2025 Salomon QST 106 - Make it stand out First chair and tracks down Upper Airglow off the Aurora Chair at Sunday River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/ae019b3c-e041-4118-969c-a6e541feef8f/QST+106+Results+Final.png 2026 Ski Test - 2025 Salomon QST 106 - Make it stand out 2026 Quiv3r Ski Test Scores Tested by: Collin Wiedersheim Days skied: ~10 Boots: 2025 Salomon S/Pro Supra 130, 27.5 Mondo, custom footbeds 181 cm length, Salomon Strive 14 mounted at factory recommended line https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/260e3024-1bad-454c-8249-dc0e3fee7a23/IMG_1833.jpg 2026 Ski Test - 2025 Salomon QST 106 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.quiv3r.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/0aa68cad-667f-417e-b94e-d098977c37a2/IMG_1996.jpg https://www.quiv3r.com/about daily 0.75 2026-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/cf18f556-9506-4e31-a3ad-03ce302c85f3/IMG_2253.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683f51b18719b90910c98e58/6e800d7c-9cab-44ee-9800-4a53362ff3a3/IMG_6512.jpg https://www.quiv3r.com/home daily 1.0 2026-01-25