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Blizzard Answer IQ Ski w/ FR 16 Binding
Looking for a backcountry-ready twintip with crust-busting, crud-munching traditional construction? You’re asking for the Blizzard Answer IQ Ski and the FR 16 Binding. The Answer IQ is exactly that: a fat, floaty twin with tons of guts, ready to hike for home-built booters and bound through the pow, but all the while hiding a titanium-reinforced wood core that makes choppy crud feel like a freshly resurfaced freeway. This ski goes anywhere you want to, airing out cliffs and dominating chutes with confidence, then laying down smooth lines on groomers like a lounge singer thanks to vertical-sidewall edge hold. When that gets boring, well…you can just switch the bombproof FR 16 bindings into touring mode, skin back up, and hit it all switch.
Bottom Line: Blizzard has The Answer for the big-mountain question.
Talk shop with all the gear freaks out there: ask 'em questions, upload/browse photos, and give your 2¢.
Sweet Setup! Binding Size Clarification...
By: Arne Backstrom
November 12, 2009
This ski and binding setup is a great all around choice. Not too much side cut and relatively soft especially in the tails, makes them forgiving and fun, good for tail butters or if you just want to sit back a little and juice one.I'd like to clear up some confusion about the FR 16 IQ bindings though. It's basically an integrated Duke binding to fit the IQ rail system, but where Duke's come in sizes small and large, the FR 16 IQ bindings come in one size only and fits boots from 265mm to 365mm, which equates to US mens 4.5 to like size 15 or something. However, there is an adjustment that needs to be made before mounting the bindings. For boots smaller than 305mm, snap the white plastic adjustment into the corresponding position under the heel peice, and do the same for boots larger than 305mm. It's really simple and allows them to fit almost all adult boot sizes!These skis are great and so are the bindings, backcountry or park, small or large boots!
are ther different sizes to the bindings? (*like the Dukes)
are ther different sizes to the bindings? (*like the Dukes)
By: MCSWIGS
July 18, 2009
No, one size only, just an adjustment to be made depending on if your boots are smaller or larger than 305mm.
By: Arne Backstrom
November 12, 2009
Definetly the answer!
By: James McCalvy
March 18, 2009
Just to add to my above review, I had these out on some good firm steep groomers and trails and the edge grip is amazing, I was really trying to jam some turns on these and had a hard time getting them to chatter, in fact they didn't. They are very torsionally stiff and hands down the best wide boards I've skied on firm snow! So once again this ski does it all!!
Anybody finding the Answer, yet? Wondering if the IQ system picks
Anybody finding the Answer, yet? Wondering if the IQ system picks up snow and how the FR 16 binding is to hike in?
By: Dave
October 13, 2008
I've taken these skis out in all sorts of conditions from early season pow in Jackson Hole to mid-season crud in Aspen to late Spring slush at Snowbird, and the IQ system doesn't collect any more snow than any other bindings I've skied in. In fact, the topsheet is nice and glossy enough to prevent any snow from sticking to the skis anyway.
As to the performance of the bindings, the FR16s are indeed Dukes with Blizzard branding, so they are just like any other pair of Dukes out there. Shedd mentioned that there is only one level for the heel riser, but the riser can be moved from it's locked back position for skiing to a tall hiking level, and then forward to the low/medium heel level. That makes three climbing/walking positions, and I've definitely used them all on many occasions.
By: Chris Tatsuno
June 14, 2009
not sure about the IQ system picking up snow. I looked at an early release demo of these skis last year and they looked great. the IQ system allows the ski to be mounted with just one screw, allowing full flex of the ski. There are only two set screw positions as I recall, so it does limit your mounting options. I had no complaints about the manufacturer recommended point. It does make somewhat of a recessed channel down the middle of the ski. Could potentially pick up snow. As for the FR 16 binding, it is a Blizzard labeled Marker Duke binding, modified to fit the IQ system. So it hikes like the Duke. The only complaint I've heard is that the heel riser only has one level and it is too low for aggressive climbing. I did not hike with it. But downhill, it performs very well. Stiff and fat. Big fast fun and stable at speed. Yahoo!
By: Shedd
October 20, 2008
Answers in Powder!
By: Chris Tatsuno
June 14, 2009
Here's a pic of my Answers in some early season pow. So early, in fact, that my buddy JF didn't have time to put away his grill before the snow came! haha
This could be your answer...
By: James McCalvy
March 13, 2009
Well, I had a mixed day snow wise on these ski. Everything from a little powder to some chalky edgy stuff to your crusty icy all in one day. These skis suprized me on the harder firm groomers, they handled and dug in better than I thought they would, easy to lay down some nice trenches. In the crud they had no problem. The powder was also very nice and so easy with these, plenty of float for whatever and they seemed very stable when dropping cliffs and charging hard down the mountain. All in all these would make a great one ski quiver. The flex is probably just on the upside of a medium making them fairly forgiving and very snappy and responsive in my opinion. I would definetly get these.
small bindings???!!
By: jrj3271211
September 3, 2009
Guys guys guys, to avoid customer disappointment, like this, please consider revising the sales pitch to include the fact that the bindings provided are size SMALL. I just got this package and was thrilled until I realized that the bindings will only fit a nine year old’s boot. Now I’ve got to hassle with sending all of this back and I really just want to hit the slopes.
3 Comments Last Comment: November 12, 2009 by: Arne Backstrom
By: Arne Backstrom
November 12, 2009
The FR 16 IQ bindings fit boots from 265mm to 365mm. They do not come in two sizes like Dukes, just one size that has an adjustment to make it equate to size small or large dukes. Should fit boots from 22.5 to 32.5 or so.
By: D. Joshua Christensen
November 1, 2009
most ski boots up to size 9 (27.5) fit into the SMALL size of this binding. Most good skiers with a size 11 shoe or smaller wear a size 9 or smaller boot..this binding fits most skiers.
By: DakkaGuru
September 9, 2009
These small bindings which come on these Answers fit boot sole lengths 265-320mm large fits through 305-370. The reason they come with small bindings is because they fit mondo sizes 22(BSL 265+) through 27. Most skiers require the small size and sold separately, Dukes sell out in the small sizes first.
(Large dukes fit 26[BSL 305+] through 32.
Change me.
Tech Specs:
- Lengths:
- 171cm, 178cm, 185cm, 192cm
- Dimensions:
- 130 / 105 / 120mm
- Turn Radius:
- [185cm] 30m
- Construction:
- Vertical sidewall, sandwich laminate
- Core Material:
- Wood, titanium
- Tail:
- Twin
- Binding System:
- IQ Rail System
- Binding Included:
- Yes, FR 16
- Recommended Use:
- Big mountain, powder, advanced to expert
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 Year
Comment on Arne Backstrom's review >