Individual Review Long-Term Test: 2016 Blizzard Cochise

Nice review, @Philpug. I need more time on these as well. The runs I have skied atop the new Cocishes have been most excellent. This ski is pretty much right in my wheelhouse.

 

I'm curious how it compares with the Bonafide. before the Bone had a distinct advantage because it had camber. Cochise was a fun ski, but not nearly as versatile or as "normal" as the Bonafide. The new one looks almost like a wider Bonafide which may a good thing for an occasional fat winter.

 

I'm game and positive I can convince @FairToMiddlin to take 'em for a ride as well.

As luck has it, the Bonafide is my daily driver. I have 2013 and 2016 models I could compare to the Cochise.

 

The new one feel turnier on edge steering, on edge carving, and quicker in powder. Amazing what some camber, and more tip and longer tip rocker will make the ski do.

 

Phil, I ski squaw, strong skier.

I ski the metal katana, which I like everywhere, powder, bumps, groomers.
Of course volkl stopped making them.

Would the cochise ski similar to the katana?

I have the carbon katana for backcountry, and I like them a lot.
Butt I still would prefer a metal ski inbounds.

Thanks

 

they actually ski nothing alike IMO. I have owned the 183cm Metal Katana, and 185cm first gen Cochise and have skied the 193 first gen and 185 second gen carbon Carbon

The Katana is looser and greasy, and much easier to manage in tight places especially in weird snow. It seem to be stable enough in 3d snow, but IMO on packed snow the Katana was handful at speed(no I never tried the 190+ katana models), even the first gen cochise was easier to balance on, on packed snow. The carbon Cochise is the easiest of the 3 on packed snow, and easier in powder than the OG cochise. Its about equal in pow to the Metal Katana, but IMO the Katana does better in weird broken snow especially in tight places. In bumps at least soft bumps skiing a short turn the winner is the Katana, skiing a really smeared larger turn the OG Cochise, and for those that like edge to edge the Carbon Cochise.

IMO the closest ski to the old metal Katana on the market today is the 4frnt Devastator it does not have metal, but is actually stiffer than the old Katana, and has the same rocker profile and mission. 4frnt knows how to make damp ski with out metal.

 

I've got the original Cochise and it never gets play, It always seems as though there's a better tool each day. But if the new one is turnier in powder and carves more responsively I oughta give it a try. The original slarves quickly but carving it's at risk of hitting an iceberg.

 

The katana is not very turny, but I find it great in powder

 

@Philpug, in the past, there have been reports that the 193 Cochise was too much ski for most everyone. Do you think that would still be the case for the new 192 Cochise? I'm 6'4"/240 and ski the 187 Bonafide and 190 Bibby, both of which I wish were a little longer when it gets steep or super chopped up. My hesitation with jumping up to the 192 is whether they'll be too much ski in trees/bumps (e.g., Grouse at the Beav) but at the same time I'm concerned the 185 will be too short.

 

I so disagree with this. At least my full reverse camber metal one was easy to turn basically anywhere. Id go so far to say it was one of the easiest and quickest skis I have owned for all conditions.



doesnt mean its better than the new cochise.....I would sacrifice some quickness for some grip and stability.

 

Amen. I'm 6'2" and 195, and I like skis over 190 cm when there is any significant tail rocker involved. I think it's a leverage thing brought on by the height, more than a weight issue (though both matter).

"Quickness" can be tricky. My 193 Patrons (tail rocker) are quicker in tight stuff than my 185 Hell and Backs (flat tail). Length sure isn't the whole story.

 

Josh, no question that the katana is an easy ski to turn, I was just responding to the comment that it has a long turning radius.

 

Thanks, Phil! That's what I hoped to hear.

 

It looks as though you were prepared to sacrifice some Ptex and edge material as well! That looks like pretty tight quarters but nice snow.