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The Scores (out of 10)
- Overall Score: 7.4/10
- Rank: #4
- Versatility: 7.83
- Crud Performance: 7.17
- Flotation: 7.33
- Playfulness: 7.5
- Responsiveness: 7.67
- Quickness: 7.33
- Hard-Snow Integrity: 7.33
- Stability at Speed: 7.67
- Forgiveness: 6.67
The Specs
- Price: $700
- Lengths: 156, 164, 172, 180
- Dimensions: 131.5-102-121.5
- Radius: 14.5 (172cm)
- Weight: 1,850 g
- Level: Advanced, Expert
In a Nutshell
- Pros: Versatility (#2), Responsiveness (#3)
- Cons: Forgiveness (#7), Crud Performance (#7)
Unchanged from last year (except for the graphics), the Blizzard Sheeva 10 once again ranked at the top of the women鈥檚 All-Mountain Wide category. Testers鈥 general consensus was that, despite its wider waist, the Sheeva 10 shines on the hardpack due to its responsiveness and energy, but they were equally impressed by its off-piste abilities.
Blizzard鈥檚 Carbon Flipcore Dynamic Release Technology (D.R.T) creates a decently deep, natural rocker for the Sheeva. This is achieved by waiting to mold the ski until it鈥檚 in its final rockered shape. Thus, there鈥檚 no need to artificially alter the shape of the already-rockered ski. According to Blizzard, the result is a natural flex, even pressure distribution throughout the ski, and excellent stability.
Related: These are the best methods for carrying your gear while you ski
Testers were indeed impressed with this ski鈥檚 balance of energy and stability, something they traced to the tip and tail feeling playful and soft while the area underfoot feels stiff and stable. They found that the Sheeva 10 has a lot of energy to give, particularly on hardpack where you can really feel this ski bend against firm snow. Testers also commented on how balanced the Sheeva 10 felt in gnarly crud. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just so easy to stay balanced on these skis,鈥 reported longtime SKI gear tester Tracy Gibbons. 鈥淪uper consistent feel when conditions were less than perfect.鈥
Testers loved the Sheeva 10 off-piste, too. Its turning radius of 16 meters in the 172cm length is a nice middle ground for most skiers, regardless of style, and makes it maneuverable even in tight terrain like bumps.
Read more: Learn How the Blizzard Sheeva 10 Stacked Up Against the Competition
The Sheeva 10 clocks in at a pretty average weight in comparison to the rest of the skis in the category, though most testers said it felt burly to them (which we can likely attribute to its stiff construction). While advanced testers loved how controlled and easy-to-turn the ski felt on the hardpack, others argued it would be a bit much for beginners. 鈥淚t works all over the mountain, but is a bit heavy if you鈥檙e not a strong legged skier,鈥 said tester and SKI Editor in Chief Sierra Shafer. 鈥淵ou have to be pretty on top of it, but it goes where you lead.鈥
Tester Courtney Harkins, a former ski racer based in Park City, agreed. 鈥淭his ski nuked if you could get it enough speed on a big enough run,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f you tweedled it down the side, it鈥檇 ski you. But once you get it moving, it has a ton of energy and movement.鈥
It鈥檚 not the most forgiving ski in the category, especially for beginners. But if you鈥檙e an intermediate ready to level up and wanting to be more aggressive, the Sheeva 10 will show you what it takes鈥攜ou just have to be ready to work for it. Bonus (if you care about this sort of thing): The new top sheet is a gorgeous gradient reminiscent of the northern lights.
Kelly Klein is an associate gear editor specializing in skis and bikes. She lives in Bozeman, Montana.