THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · freeride

Blizzard Rustler 9 vs K2 Mindbender 96C

The Rustler 9 and the Mindbender 96C compared. They share 96 mm underfoot. The Rustler 9 is 257 g heavier at the default length (1,780 vs 1,523 g). Turn radii are 16 m and 14.2 m.

Blizzard Rustler 9 — topsheet
Rustler 9
$800 MSRP 5 lengths · 162, 168, 174, 180, 186 cm
K2 Mindbender 96C — topsheet
Mindbender 96C
$700 MSRP 5 lengths · 148, 154, 160, 166, 172 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Rustler 9
Mindbender 96C
Waist
96 mm
96 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,780 g
1,523 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
33 mm
35 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
16.0 m
14.2 m
Shorter · quickLonger · stable

Head to head, by character

Each ski's own read, side by side — the same three things that define how it skis.
Turn & shape
A 16.0-meter radius sits in the all-purpose range — turn shapes that shorten up or open out without committing to either; a moderate tip taper keeps turn entry easy while the shovel still engages.
A 14.2-meter radius sits in the all-purpose range — turn shapes that shorten up or open out without committing to either; a moderate tip taper keeps turn entry easy while the shovel still engages.
Stability & dampness
Built without metal on a trueblend free woodcore, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,780 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Built without metal on an aspen veneer, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,523 g it's a genuinely light ski, nimble and easy to move around.
Float & width
At 96 mm it leans toward soft-snow float while keeping enough edge to hold when it firms up. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.
At 96 mm it leans toward soft-snow float while keeping enough edge to hold when it firms up. Tip rocker eases turn entry and float; a cambered tail holds the edge through the turn.

Full spec comparison

SpecRustler 9Mindbender 96C
Waist 96 mm 96 mm
Sidecut 129·96·118.5 mm 131·96·119 mm
Weight @ default 1,780 g 1,523 g
Weight range 1,590–1,980 g 1,444–1,684 g
Turn radius 16.0 m full-length 14.2 m full-length
Metal None None
Core Trueblend free woodcore Aspen veneer
Lengths 162–186 cm 148–172 cm
MSRP $800 $700